NEWSFLASH: There's an election on Tuesday, Nov 8. No it's not for President, but it IS an election and Democrats must VOTE OUR VALUES in massive numbers, no matter what obstacles are in the way.
Why does Tuesday's election matter? Thanks to Occupy Wall Street, we 99% have the attention of the media, the President and Congress. But some Democrats are hovering on the sidelines and the news media are bending over backwards to suggest that the 99% movement will achieve nothing and just melt away, because there are no unified demands or organized political component.
Well, let's give it to them!
Massive voter turnout in an off-year election, coupled (finally) with action in the streets, will send a powerful message to our leaders -- in the form they best understand and most fear:
We are engaged.
Put the People First
Or else!
Follow below for my rant 'er, reasons, and give us yours. WHY should people in your state and town VOTE on Tuesday! Recalls, special elections, local issues.
When the very wealthy control the public debate and our elections at all levels, when the politically well connected from a small town "big fish" to the wealthiest corporate barons escape meaningful legal scrutiny, never answering for their mistakes, misfeasance or worse, government lacks accountability and the public is no longer in control.
Wall Street excesses drove our economy into the Great Recession but still have resulted in NO accountability from those responsible, or even enough regulation to assure that it never happens again. In fact, salaries and bonuses at the too-big-to-fail Wall Street banks and financial firms bailed out by taxpayers have soared, while incomes for those taxpayers have stagnated, declined or disappeared entirely.
50% of US workers with a job or two earned less than $26,364 last year.
Ordinary people--the 99%--have simply had enough and a sizable contingent is demonstrating their frustration powerfully to our leaders right now. BACK them UP! In Madison, Wisconsin, Zuccotti Park, Oakland, and all the Occupy Wall Street actions around the country, the 99% are finally making their voices heard, about:
JOBS,
Income inequality,
Wall Street excesses,
Lack of credit, excessive bank fees
Foreclosures,
Corporate welfare and tax loopholes,
Corporate control of news media and,
most of all,
the corrupting influence of money on our political system.
The answer from Republicans?
Put corporate lobbyists and favored insiders in charge of writing laws,
Cut social programs like Medicare, SS, WIC, food stamps,
Fire teachers, police and fire fighters,
Let bridges collapse and roads deteriorate,
Gut clean air and water protections,
Take over local governments, and
Curtail public workers’ right to organize in Unions.
Republicans won’t even consider:
Closing corporate tax loopholes,
Ending hand-outs to oil, gas, nuclear, big agriculture and defense corporations,
Increasing taxes by pennies only on incomes above a million per year,
Raising the FICA tax salary cap
Instituting a tiny Financial Transfer Tax.
and shockingly,
In many states they are trying to suppress the ability of people to VOTE:
* young people,
* old people,
* sick or disabled people,
* unemployed people,
* anyone of modest means.
How have we come to this? Too many good people haven't made it to the polls, too many times. That's the way the Republicans like it!
They don’t want YOU to VOTE. Because if you vote, they lose.
VOTE! Do you want to be heard? No better megaphone is at your hand! A massive turnout from the 99% voting their economic interests in this off-year election will get the attention of our leaders. Believe it.
Locally,
A County District Attorney or State Attorney General has discretion in deciding whether to pursue criminal investigations in the areas of white collar, corporate or environmental crimes, misuse of public funds, public corruption.
Your local planning board can enforce zoning and environmental protections or wink and nod when their friends show up with an unsustainable, dumb growth development--sometimes at taxpayer expense.
Elected local JUDGES meet out JUSTICE to you and your neighbors.
Better make sure they share YOUR values!
Some local incumbents are too comfortably entrenched with powerful interests to serve you well in these times, perhaps the Chamber of Commerce, a big employer, or an "old boys club." They should be replaced and off-year elections are your chance to shake things up.
Vote for Democrats on Tuesday, November 8th and put everyone on notice that you are engaged and you - will - show - up to VOTE, no matter what obstacles they try to put in your path.