Progressive Democrats For America (PDA) Vision, Strategy, Plan

By posting these excerpts from pda website - i hope a few key questions as to the agenda progressives have in mind for reforming the democratic party will be answered, which is essentially a mission to get the party back to it's basic core values and which we think most democrats (registered democrats)essentially have unanimity with.

I'm also hoping to inspire some discussion, but flame baiting is most certainly not welcomed and for those who are staunch opponents of the pda goals and agenda, i request that you simply ignore this thread rather than hijack it for the sole purpose of flaming participants or smearing with unwarranted ad hominem.

please visit home page for a lot more information as to structure, chapters, people etc.

http://www.pdamerica.org/

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http://pdamerica.org/policy/vision.php


Vision

We are committed in word and action, both personally and politically, to justice and democracy at all levels, and to the preservation and restoration of natural ecosystems in America and worldwide.

We are specifically committed to the realization of new models for achieving local, national and global security that redirect the current wasteful and obscene levels of military spending toward the uncompromising and effective funding of: health and education programs; an end to discrimination; the provision of full and meaningful employment; and an end to poverty for all people.

We believe with Robert F. Kennedy, that the Gross National Product is a false measure of progress and must be replaced by the quality of life as a standard for American achievement

Strategy

To achieve these goals, we dedicate ourselves to work within the general framework of the Democratic Party and with sister organizations to create a new, democratic, grassroots-based, nationally federated organization.

Through this organization we shall endeavor, over a period of years, to build an unstoppable coalition of the hundreds of millions of Americans who would benefit from a taking back of our democracy, our economy, and our institutions from the "moneyed interests" warned of by Jefferson and the "military-industrial complex" described by Eisenhower: those who would rob from Americans our precious rights of informed self-governance.

Mindful of the continuing important differences between Republican and Democratic political values, yet fully aware of how much better Democratic candidates and elected officials must be to save our people and our planet from destruction, we dedicate ourselves to beginning the long, patriotic, nonviolent, and ultimately unstoppable process of transforming the Democratic Party.

Toward this end, we will educate ourselves, our neighbors, and our fellow Americans to the demonstrable validity of the progressive worldview, and mobilize our fellow Americans precinct by precinct, congressional district by congressional district, state by state, first to take back the Democratic Party and then our great country from the global corporate interests that currently dominate our lives.

Plan

We will accomplish these goals through the dedicated and deliberate process of working with thousands of individual and organizational allies to identify, within each local precinct or political district, supporters of civil and labor rights, real environmental protection, women's rights, the rights of the poor, consumer rights, and the right to live life in peace, free from racism, discrimination and institutional domination.

We will support grassroots chapters with local databases, publicity, educational materials, regional organizers, trainings, and funding.

We will strategically target those many districts where progressives are a strong majority to ensure that our demands are fully voiced by those we elect.

We will encourage all activists to work diligently to: fully educate themselves and their neighbors; to engage in local political organizing both in progressive caucuses within the Democratic Party and outside of the Party, and, perhaps most importantly; to create real and lasting connections to those of different political views and the apolitical or cynical by organizing meaningful, tangible "good works" in their communities - from stream cleanups, to mentor and after school programs, to local community development activities that create jobs.

Our spheres of concern, our volunteers, our staff, and our leadership will reflect a rainbow, as diverse and beautiful as America herself, at whose feet our pot of gold will be found: a renewed nation, respectful of the rule of law at home and abroad, fully integrated into and respectful of the world of nations and peoples, and re-grounded on the universal values of human dignity, justice, and environmental sanity.


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read full text: http://pdamerica.org/policy/vision.php

that has shown the successes of Progressives in California and elsewhere.

'A new majority for the American left'

Colin Greer
8 - 12 - 2005



Something vital, exciting and underreported is happening across the United States: marginalised groups in the poorest communities are joining forces to improve their condition and win local electoral victories. This is the America of Latinos, African-Americans, religious progressives, union members, young people, and single women. Combined, these mostly progressive groups of the left constitute an actual and significant national majority. If the Democratic Party taps into this energy, it could help create the next social and political momentum in the United States and even win presidential elections. But typically, Democratic leadership does not work closely with these groups, their natural constituencies. This relationship has yet to become a reality.>>snip

In special elections in California in November 2005, voters rejected six right-wing legislative initiatives dealing with access to abortion, authority over union dues, and political lobbying. It was a failure for Republican superstar governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who had personally endorsed four of the ballot initiatives. But it was a triumph for the coalitions of community-based groups that have been organizing aggressively around social values in recent years. These were the same groups who paved the way for former union leader and Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa to become mayor of Los Angeles in May 2005. We can learn from their success. (Just think, as late as 1980 Ronald Reagan launched a presidential campaign from the Red Republican stronghold of California!)>>>>snip

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x179647

we need to put more of this message out there to clear up some confusion that seems to inadvertently prevail here by a tiny number of right wing reactionaries who seem to be keen in maintaining the status quo at all costs to our democracy.

Thanks for the link!

so, i thought it really important to post some facts about pda...

Should do a post in each state forum, too.

PDA offers a lot of resources for state and local groups and chapters.

It's a shame a pressure group such as PDA or DFA is doing the work the Democratic Party, as a whole, has failed to do. This platform should be the platform of the Democratic Party, but today, the Party is moving sideways, not forward. I guess the reason why PDA has taken the leading edge along with other groups is because most if not all of PDA's funds come from individuals, not corporate special interests playing both sides of the aisle to dilute any populist up-welling in Congress.

The answer is NOT leaving the country.
The answer is NOT the Republican Party.
And the answer is NOT the Democratic Party as it is now organized and controlled.

http://pdamerica.org/policy/plan.php

I don't think it is time for a 3rd party right now.

pretty much says it all, I think. It really isn't too hard to find simpatico Dems when you start talking issues. The hardest thing is to convince them that there is a sizable constituencythat can be brought to the table.

When I left the Greens and joined in 2003, I immediately noticed that the Dems have PCOs and the Greens don't.

Is this different state by state?

http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/events/out-iraq-press.php

PDA on the Hill - Out of Iraq Press Conference
By Mike Hersh

Wednesday, November 15, 2005 / Washington, DC--When Rep. Maxine Waters closed the Out of Iraq Press Conference at the Longworth Office Building this morning, Progressive Democrats of America had come of age. This event was part of two days packed with activism, retrospectives, and planning, and confirmed that PDA has a new mission. Several members of the House Out of Iraq Caucus specifically charged us and other activists with leading the efforts to force a long-overdue discussion of Iraq policy in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Waters opened the press conference by offering best wishes for PDA National Advisory Board member Cindy Sheehan who was about to stand trial for civil disobedience at the federal courthouse a few blocks away. PDA Chair Mimi Kennedy, Executive Director Tim Carpenter, and Political Director Kevin Spidel dashed from a vigil with Cindy to attend the announcement this morning.

Rep. Waters listed the staggering costs of the war: $250 billion, more than 2,070 US troops killed, 15,000 injured 400 limbs amputated. She pledged to examine and analyze the "distorted" information which led us into war, and--with our help--lead us out of Iraq. She recounted that in only six months, the Out of Iraq Caucus has grown to include 70 House members of various points of view, but united in the desire to formulate a strategy to lead America out of Iraq: "All of us want out of Iraq."

Our contingent met with our friend Rep. Dennis Kucinich who put a perfect name on this effort, calling this "an Honorable Discharge from Iraq," including both the subject matter and the legislative effort at hand. Rep. Waters announced that Rep. Barney Frank will manage the effort to allow open debate on Iraq policy through a "discharge petition" on House Joint Resolution 55. The petition would allow 218 Members of Congress to move the item directly to the House floor for open discussion without requiring committee support.


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Read full text and check other links here:

http://www.pdamerica.org/articles/events/out-iraq-press.php

great du link here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=5599113

:dem:
Proud member and financial supporter of the PDA.

". . .re-grounded on the universal values of human dignity, justice, and environmental sanity."

propositions,
this came from a grass roots, labor, ethnic, progressive democratic base.
Oh, and by the way proposition 77 which was supported by you know who else,
which would have guaranteed conservative, white, rich republican judges deciding how districts are redistricted in California for years to come
It can be done.

we were all rooting for ya and Villaraigosa, and together we brought down auhnold's initiatives.

You know who makes up our local pda chapter here in the north bay? Auhnolds numero uno enemy- The Nurses. These nurses here in the north bay are fierce and they were organized - and that's who makes up the chief organizers of our pda chapter.

Now all we have to do is elect Phil Angelides for Governor, and move this damn state back to ROYAL BLUE country - weeding out the Reds..

i still think it's really weird that the right wing fascists took the color red as their symbol - giving liberals the blue color.

it wasn't long ago if we were saying weed out the reds - used to be called "red baiting". the times, they are a changin'...

While I'm no longer in CA, I was a Californian for 38 years. For even more support, I can tell you another of Arnold's formidable enemies; educators. About 18 months ago, administrators stood up and called on teachers to join with them to battle Arnold's war to defund public schools in CA. A first in my 22 year career in public ed in CA.

I don't know if they are part of PDA, but if not, PDA will find more support in their efforts in that direction!

About time we saw something positive from your side of the aisle.

"those who are staunch opponents of the pda goals and agenda"
Don't know anybody who is. Perhaps if we had more of these kinds of threads , we could focus on the acres of common ground....

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and less of the anti-moderate threads that have been popping up lately.