This comes from a Dec. 15th article at Political Affairs but a search for "Conyers" for the 15th through today didn't bring it up here. So here goes.
Appearing at a town hall meeting in Detroit, Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) called for a "new American agenda" for the next session Congress. Conyers discussed a wide range of issues from the war in Iraq to the economy, health care, and the impeachment of President Bush. He declared the new session of Congress, set to begin on January 4, 2007, a "brand new start after 12 years" of disastrous rule by the Republican Party.
"You are now being addressed by Chairman John Conyers of the House Judiciary Committee," Conyers told an overflowing audience at the University of Detroit Mercy.
More below..
Conyers' "people's agenda" to provide "jobs, justice, and peace."
Immigration:
"You really have got to be short of ideas if you can only come up with a wall to keep people out of the United States." He stated that immigration policy that does not address the abuses of both workers and the system by employers will not work.
International Law and the Geneva Conventions:
Citing the administration’s efforts to undermine the Geneva Conventions, its refusal to follow guidelines in treaties signed by the U.S. regarding nuclear disarmament, and its mishandling of "genocide issues," Conyers argued, "Without international law the planet can not go on, and we can not make an attempt to address and control war and divisions that exist in the world today."
Foreign Policy, Middle East, Iraq:
"One of the most important things on our agenda is getting out of Iraq as quickly and as intelligently as possible."
He pointed out that there is no military solution to the violence in Iraq and urged regional diplomacy and the replacement of U.S. forces with UN peacekeepers. Conyers also rejected proposals made in the Iraq Study Group report to privatize Iraq's oil industry or to install permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq
Also:
- revamping foreign policy efforts,
- opening talks with regional powers in the Middle East,
- talks with North Korea and China rather than confrontation,
- for the U.S. "to take the lead on disarmament.
Peace:
Conyers announced that he and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) intended to re-introduce a bill in the House that would create a cabinet level Department of Peace. "Somebody on the national level," Conyers noted, "has to be studying how to make peace."
Health Care:
Conyers plans to reintroduce the United States National Healthcare Insurance Act (HR 676) in the new session of Congress, and called on the American people to pressure Congress to pass it. "It's up to all of us to create a movement to bring universal health care to America," he added.
- HIV/AIDS has to be made a national priority:
He insisted that funding for a national health care program and for treating and finding a cure for HIV/AIDS have to come out of the military budget.
Conyers also supports a Constitutional amendment being offered by Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) that would make health care a right.
National Economy:
He endorsed the ideas behind the Humphrey-Hawkins Jobs and Balanced Growth Act of the 1970s, which requires the federal government to develop employment programs for people who can't find work in the private sector.
Conyers also announced his plan to introduce a bankruptcy law reform bill with Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) that would give greater protection to consumers. The bill would also require major multinational corporations who use bankruptcy claims to break collective bargaining contracts with unions in order to kill benefits and cut wages to show their international as well as domestic financial records to the bankruptcy judge.
Investigations:
Topics listed included:
- theft of votes, vote suppression, and faulty voting machinery.
- abuses of civil liberties such as the PATRIOT Act and the warrantless wiretapping program.
- the handling of intelligence that pushed America to war with Iraq.
Conyers refused to introduce articles of impeachment, saying that such a move required much more popular support, a bipartisan effort in Congress, and a stronger Democratic majority to accomplish
Environment:
Apparently Rep. Conyers said that he supported proposed reforms that would address global warming no reforms were mentioned in this article. (Somewhat disappointing, but understandable to some extent given his district and the priorities of his committee).
I searched for other reports of this meeting without success.
Of course you can find more about his positions via his Congressional website and the "Conyers for Congress" website. (You will find a link to kingubu's video "Why We Fight" on the blog there, where he says it was: "A little inspiration that kept us going.")
More about H.R. 676, ("Expanded & Improved Medicare For All") here.
If you donate $60 to "Conyers for Congress", you can get a signed copy of the edited version of his report on Bush Administration abuses, entitled "George W. Bush versus the U.S. Constitution".
Disclaimer:
I have worked for Rep. Dennis Kucinich before, but don't now. I have never worked for Rep. John Conyers, but wish I could get a job helping push educate citizens about HR 676.