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Cindy Sheehan: leaving the Democratic Party and calling for July 4 meeting in Philadelphia
By James Marc Leas
Like her sit-in in Crawford Texas in 2005, Cindy Sheehan's letter to the Democratic Congress following their vote to fund the war (SEE HERE ) marks an important initiative for the antiwar movement.
Cindy calls for a meeting in Philadelphia on July 4 "to try and figure a way out of this 'two' party system that is bought and paid for by the war machine which has a stranglehold on every aspect of our lives." She concludes her letter to the Democratic Congress by saying, "As for myself, I am leaving the Democratic Party. You have completely failed those who put you in power to change the direction our country is heading. We did not elect you to help sink our ship of state but to guide it to safe harbor.
"We do not condone our government's violent meddling in sovereign countries and we condemn the continued murderous occupation of Iraq.
"We gave you a chance, you betrayed us."
People all over the country have recognized that the vote to fund the war--and all the trickery leading up to that vote--means that new ideas are needed. The Democrats thought they did not have to worry about the vast antiwar majority in this country because we have no where else to go. Cindy Sheehan is sparking an alternative. We all know that business as usual is not enough. The July 4 meeting in Philadelphia provides an opportunity for new ideas and new directions.
Ideas from history: When the two parties of slavery (the Democratic Party and the Whig Party) reached a similar point of discrediting themselves in the late 1850s, and people were fed up with both, activists from those parties and various smaller abolitionist parties merged to form the Republican Party that nominated Abraham Lincoln for the 1860 election. He won, and the Whig Party soon ceased to exist.
More recently, for decades two major corporate parties alternated control in Venezuela. Hugo Chavez formed a new party in 1998. After his victory in the 1998 election both those two major parties shrank to single digits.
Our forefathers gathered to declare independence on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia and to initiate an alternative to colonial rule. The American people have a similar opportunity on July 4, 2007 to gather in Philadelphia, declare independence from the two colonial war parties, and initiate an alternative that is of, by, and for the people, and free of control by war makers and corporations. I hope everyone will go to Philadelphia on July 4 to support this declaration and contribute proposals for an alternative.
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Please...I'm along for the ride with anyone who thinks our two-party system is broken (I'd like to see a proportional representation system in the lower houses of state legislatures) but you're not going to win too many supporters by jumping in bed with the likes of Hugo Chavez.
Mike
Famous peace and justice activist, Cindy Sheehan recently sent out an open letter to the Peace Community about Democratic Party complicity in the war on Iraq. She also pointed out the source of this complicity, which is the corporate corruption of our democracy. She "quit" the Peace Movement due to their unwillingness to hold the Democratic Party just as accountable for their part in the war and it's continuation and funding as the Bush Administration. She said that "it is up to us now."
Cindy, we hear your call and have answered it. We are making our own Declaration Of Independence. A Declaration Of Independence from the pro-war, corporate rulers who have bought our democracy. We plan to take our democracy, media and society back from these thiefs and from those who provide them with excuses and political cover.
Come join us in Philadelphia on Saturday June June 30th and Sunday July 1st for the start of the next American Revolution.
The meeting will be at
Friend's Center
1501 Cherry St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
This location is 10 blocks from where the initial American Declaration of Independence was made. The flaws of this founding document will be discussed and rectified.
All will be welcomed. Disullisioned Progressive Democrats of America, Greens, Socialists, Anarchists, Peace and Justice Activists, Trade Union Members, all of you will be welcomed.If you are tired of the cowardice and complicity from the political leadership in our nation, you are far from alone.
The only criteria will be that you have to publically declare yourself Independent from the corporate interests which own both political Parties.
Questions contact Michael Cavlan
(612)327-6902
ollamhfaery@earthlink.nnet
Suzanne Linton
(651)429-3529
bahiabaubo@hotmail.com
if you know of any other groups that are planning a similar action, please have them contact us
Thanks and Solidarity
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Tags: James Marc Leas Cindy Sheehan Democratic Party