Moving Forward as the Majority: AM 1090 forum discusses progressive governance
Tonight in Kent AM, 1090 is holding its annual progressive talk forum to discuss our nation's most pressing challenges. This year's theme, following the historic 2008 elections, what Democrats should do to move America forward now that we are in the majority. As might be expected, healthcare reform has been a key topic so far, although there have been many others.
I won't do a play by play in this point - exhaustive liveblogging makes it difficult to absorb what the speakers are saying - but here is a quick overview of topics that have been touched on. The panel is Thom Hartmann, Mike Malloy, Stephanie Miller, Bill Press, and Ron Reagan (most of them were at last year's forum). Former Seattle Times chief political reporter David Postman is moderating.
Healthcare reform. The hosts have hope that President Obama, who won election in part thanks to his political chess skills, is maneuvering to push Congress to pass meaningful legislation that includes a public plan and will move us closer to a day when no one in America will lack access to healthcare. When right wing rent-a-mobs disrupt town hall forums about healthcare reform, progressives ought to respond by chanting "USA" or reciting the pledge of allegiance.
Prosecuting the crimes of the Bush error. The panel agreed that America has an obligation, under treaties we have signed, to bring to justice the people who authorized and condoned torture on persons that we captured as part of military operations to hunt down terrorists. Bob Alexander's effort to ask all local prosecutors throughout America to file charges against George Dubya Bush was recognized and praised. The panel concluded that it's unlikely anything is going to happen, in part because so much of our government is under corporate control.
Corporate Personhood. Thom Hartmann talked at length about the Supreme Court's upcoming argument in an important case that could reshape our country by doing away with some of the few regulations that protect us from unchecked corporate ability to influence elections or lobby government. The case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, is set to be re-argued this September by former Solicitor General Ted Olson, described by Hartmann as one of the most toxic men in America. Chief Justice John Roberts' objective in having the case re-argued appears to be to set the stage for a sweeping decision that will overturn restrictions on corporate speech. The consequences could be either disastrous or positive depending on how Congress and the American people react.
Getting Involved in the Party. Becoming active in the Democratic Party at the local level is an important way for progressives to get the ear of our federal lawmakers, both representatives and senators. Showing up, volunteering, even running for office, is extremely important, because we have no right to complain about how awful things are if we're not willing to do anything about it.
I won't do a play by play in this point - exhaustive liveblogging makes it difficult to absorb what the speakers are saying - but here is a quick overview of topics that have been touched on. The panel is Thom Hartmann, Mike Malloy, Stephanie Miller, Bill Press, and Ron Reagan (most of them were at last year's forum). Former Seattle Times chief political reporter David Postman is moderating.
Healthcare reform. The hosts have hope that President Obama, who won election in part thanks to his political chess skills, is maneuvering to push Congress to pass meaningful legislation that includes a public plan and will move us closer to a day when no one in America will lack access to healthcare. When right wing rent-a-mobs disrupt town hall forums about healthcare reform, progressives ought to respond by chanting "USA" or reciting the pledge of allegiance.
Prosecuting the crimes of the Bush error. The panel agreed that America has an obligation, under treaties we have signed, to bring to justice the people who authorized and condoned torture on persons that we captured as part of military operations to hunt down terrorists. Bob Alexander's effort to ask all local prosecutors throughout America to file charges against George Dubya Bush was recognized and praised. The panel concluded that it's unlikely anything is going to happen, in part because so much of our government is under corporate control.
Corporate Personhood. Thom Hartmann talked at length about the Supreme Court's upcoming argument in an important case that could reshape our country by doing away with some of the few regulations that protect us from unchecked corporate ability to influence elections or lobby government. The case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, is set to be re-argued this September by former Solicitor General Ted Olson, described by Hartmann as one of the most toxic men in America. Chief Justice John Roberts' objective in having the case re-argued appears to be to set the stage for a sweeping decision that will overturn restrictions on corporate speech. The consequences could be either disastrous or positive depending on how Congress and the American people react.
Getting Involved in the Party. Becoming active in the Democratic Party at the local level is an important way for progressives to get the ear of our federal lawmakers, both representatives and senators. Showing up, volunteering, even running for office, is extremely important, because we have no right to complain about how awful things are if we're not willing to do anything about it.
# Posted by Andrew : 7:13 PM
Comments:
I think your last sentence should have an extra word to be accurate. "WILL"
Showing up, volunteering, even running for office, is extremely important, because we WILL have no right to complain about how awful things are if we're not willing to do anything about it.
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