Have you noticed? Our democracy is being undermined all over the place. Wisconsin is not an outlier, it's a harbinger. Requiring voter ID, then making the process Byzantine, then closing down registries in Democratic districts.
TAHRIR SQUARE FEB 03 2011
a list of demands as it tops and covers the facade of a building in #egypt #tahrir square anti #mubarak
We all feel it. We see it happening all around us. We know we need to do something. Many are inspired by Tunisia and Egypt. In Tahrir, one of the most solidifying moments of the demonstrations was when, after days of pundits around the world saying, "they're protesting, but they don't know what they want!", a huge banner was unfurled down the side of a building with a list of demands. It stunned the world. Suddenly, everyone realized that these protesters were serious.
In the US version of Tahrir Square, what would we unfurl? In our own non-violent revolution, what would you demand? I offer a starter list below. Add your own contributions.
Elections decided by the Supreme Court, preemptive wars based on lies, massive institutionalized financial fraud with zero prosecutions, torture without prosecutions, a racist and destructive 'justice' system, corporations as citizens, foreign shareholders allowed to influence our elections, elections based on money, ALEC feeding corporate-written legislation to our states, taking away collective bargaining rights, an extremist minority holds our congress hostage. The wealthy destroy our economy but they get tax breaks while asking the poor to pay. We are a land of bullies. We do not adhere to the idea of good governance being that which protects the vulnerable from the all-too-human qualities of greed and selfishness that comes with power. That's how torturers and perpetrators of massive fraud go free while whistleblowers, those peacefully standing for their inherent rights and selfless people who try to protect our land from environmental ravages are attacked with the full force of the law and beyond.
What needs to change? What are our demands?
- campaign finance reform - public financing, regulated ads where candidates are disqualified for lies and willful misrepresentation, forced prominent and full disclosure of all funders for any political or lobbying efforts - speeches, pundits, ads, web sites, meetings, etc. (i'm sure there is more)
- ranked voting - Give me 3 votes for an office. my first vote counts for 3 points, my 2nd vote for 2, my third for 1. Any Nader votes would likely have been 2s for Gore and tipped that campaign quite solidly. People voting for Nader weren't voting for Bush, in the main, and it is a rigged 2-party system to structure our voting so that it can construed that way.
- rescind corporate citizenship - corporations are pieces of paper. You cannot put a corporation in jail when it breaks a law, so it can't be assessed to have rights of it's own.
- Corporations may not own other corporations -
in whole or in part. That makes corporations responsible for their subsidiary operations. Joint partnerships with other corporations leave all partners on the hook for problems. (h/t aoeu)
- reform our justice system - we need something reformative and we need it to be cleared of racism and classism. It should not be a private industry where there are people who have incentive to put more people in jail because they make money off of it. That's obscenely perverse. End the death penalty. End torture. Require that people are fed well and offered treatment for physical and mental illness. Again, just a few opening thoughts....
- a transitional government - our politicians are corrupted by their money masters. As in other countries demanding change, we need a transitional government to implement the laws we want put into place and oversee an election based on a new vision of the process.
- National Infrastructure - Infrastructure should be recognized as the common defense that it is: road, rail, runways, dams, communications. Everywhere, done well, available to all. There was a time when under the approval of the people, we had controlled monopolies of airlines, trains, roads, the communications connections (Ma Bell), and more. The investors had guaranteed return and we had services everywhere not just where they were high graded. (h/t Regina In A Sears Kit House)
- universal health care - as with prisons, it is obscenely perverse that their is an industry which makes money by providing the least amount of care to patients and charges unmanageable fees to do so. Countries such as Norway have great health care and a surplus budget. Access to medical care is a human right and no one should be denied access, therefore access should be made equal by making it public.
- education reform - education should be about teaching people the basic skills of life, including how to learn, how to problem solve, how to be part of a non-violent democracy, how to make mistakes, how to stand up for yourself and others against bullies, how to lead by serving others, how to self-motivate. That I learned calculus has had zero impact on the successes and failures of my life. Life skills and how to be a generative member of society is far more important than any particular academic prowess.
- new economic indicators - based on sustainability for all in terms of finance, well-being and ecology. Sales of goods and services doesn't actually tell us how we're doing. And economic models built on perpetual growth aren't sustainable.
- marriage rights for all - this is a long time coming and we need to get this done. In fact, I'd like to see the state confer the rights of civil unions and leave marriage to churches. For everyone. If marriage is defined by some religious tome, then it's a religious institution and our government should not be involved. What our government does is affirm a contract between people and extend certain rights based upon that contract. I'm not sure why it even has to be a romantic relationship. Why can't two sisters decide to share a house and responsibilities and have the same rights as another couple? Why not a cooperative household? If people are willing to commit their lives to shared resources and responsibility, then give them the same rights as people who have sex together. Why is it about sex?
- adopt the United Nations list of human rights as an amendment to our constitution - human rights are universal and should not be based on what country you are from. Treat all people equally. Treat them most vulnerable with the greatest care.
Ok, I know I've left off important things. I threw this together in a matter of minutes. Toss more at me! I'll add them in. Maybe we need our own "We are all Khaled Said" page with community-generated documents.... we need something. We need to coalesce. It will take global solidarity to fend off the power of the supra-national corporations and self-serving millionaires.
We need a vision of a country based on how we treat the "least of us", the quality of life for everyone, the sustainability of our environment and the willingness to rein in opportunistic, bullies. We need to redefine leadership as someone who improves the lives of those most vulnerable around them. We need to discern narcissism and run screaming from it. We need grace.
By the way, here is what the Libyans envision for themselves:
A vision of a democratic Libya
The interim national council hereby presents its vision for rebuilding the democratic state of Libya. This vision responds to the needs and aspirations of our people, while incorporating the historical changes brought about by the 17 February revolution.
We have learnt from the struggles of our past during the dark days of dictatorship that there is no alternative to building a free and democratic society and ensuring the supremacy of international humanitarian law and human rights declarations. This can only be achieved through dialogue, tolerance, co-operation, national cohesiveness and the active participation of all citizens. As we are familiar with being ruled by the authoritarian dictatorship of one man, the political authority that we seek must represent the free will of the people, without exclusion or suppression of any voice.
The lessons of our past will outline our social contract through the need to respect the interests of all groups and classes that comprise the fabric of our society and not compromise the interests of one at the expense of the other. It is this social contract that must lead us to a civil society that recognises intellectual and political pluralism and allows for the peaceful transfer of power through legal institutions and ballot boxes; in accordance with a national constitution crafted by the people and endorsed in a referendum.
To that end, we will outline our aspirations for a modern, free and united state, following the defeat of the illegal Gaddafi regime. The interim national council will be guided by the following in our continuing march to freedom, through espousing the principles of political democracy. We recognise without reservation our obligation to:
1. Draft a national constitution that clearly defines its nature, essence and purpose and establishes legal, political, civil, legislative, executive and judicial institutions. The constitution will also clarify the rights and obligations of citizens in a transparent manner, thus separating and balancing the three branches of legislative, executive and judicial powers.
2. Form political organisations and civil institutions including the formation of political parties, popular organisations, unions, societies and other civil and peaceful associations.
3. Maintain a constitutional civil and free state by upholding intellectual and political pluralism and the peaceful transfer of power, opening the way for genuine political participation, without discrimination.
4. Guarantee every Libyan citizen, of statutory age, the right to vote in free and fair parliamentary and presidential elections, as well as the right to run for office.
5. Guarantee and respect the freedom of expression through media, peaceful protests, demonstrations and sit-ins and other means of communication, in accordance with the constitution and its laws in a way that protects public security and social peace.
6. A state that draws strength from our strong religious beliefs in peace, truth, justice and equality.
7. Political democracy and the values of social justice, which include:
a. The nation’s economy to be used for the benefit of the Libyan people by creating effective economic institutions in order to eradicate poverty and unemployment – working towards a healthy society, a green environment and a prosperous economy.
b. The development of genuine economic partnerships between a strong and productive public sector, a free private sector and a supportive and effective civil society, which overstands corruption and waste.
c. Support the use of science and technology for the betterment of society, through investments in education, research and development, thus enabling the encouragement of an innovative culture and enhancing the spirit of creativity. Focus on emphasising individual rights in a way that guarantees social freedoms that were denied to the Libyan people during the rule of dictatorship. In addition to building efficient public and private institutions and funds for social care, integration and solidarity, the state will guarantee the rights and empowerment of women in all legal, political, economic and cultural spheres.
d. A constitutional civil state which respects the sanctity of religious doctrine and condemns intolerance, extremism and violence that are manufactured by certain political, social or economic interests. The state to which we aspire will denounce violence, terrorism, intolerance and cultural isolation; while respecting human rights, rules and principles of citizenship and the rights of minorities and those most vulnerable. Every individual will enjoy the full rights of citizenship, regardless of colour, gender, ethnicity or social status.
8. Build a democratic Libya whose international and regional relationships will be based upon:
a. The embodiment of democratic values and institutions which respects its neighbours, builds partnerships and recognises the independence and sovereignty of other nations. The state will also seek to enhance regional integration and international co-operation through its participation with members of the international community in achieving international peace and security.
b. A state which will uphold the values of international justice, citizenship, the respect of international humanitarian law and human rights declarations, as well as condemning authoritarian and despotic regimes. The interests and rights of foreign nationals and companies will be protected. Immigration, residency and citizenship will be managed by government institutions, respecting the principles and rights of political asylum and public liberties.
c. A state which will join the international community in rejecting and denouncing racism, discrimination and terrorism while strongly supporting peace, democracy and freedom.
If they can envision that when up against a Gaddafi, certainly we can fight to improve our democracy before ending up with someone like Gaddafi.