Progressive Democrats of America, Green Party, community organizers talk joint political strategy

[Better Believe It]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Detroit, MI


PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS OF AMERICA, GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS AND OTHERS TO TALK JOINT POLITICAL STRATEGY AT US SOCIAL FORUM
Five organizations have collaborated to organize a “progressive strategy dialogue” at the United States Social Forum in Detroit, Michigan. The dialogue will be one of 50 People’s Movement Assemblies during the USSF. It will take place on Thursday afternoon, June 24th, from 1 to 5:30 pm in Cobo Hall, room W2-67.

Initiated by the Independent Progressive Politics Network, which has organized similar dialogues a number of times over the past decade, the co-sponsors are Progressive Democrats of America, the Green Party of the United States, League of Revolutionaries for a New America and the Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy.

Three major issues will be addressed:

-what can be done to stimulate independent, grassroots activism around key issues like unemployment, the housing crisis, racial justice, the climate crisis, corporate control of elections, immigrant rights, war and empire and universal health care;

-an assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party as far as the building of a popular progressive movement; and,

-how to develop a “united progressives” network that brings together progressive Democrats, Greens and other third party activists, and labor, community and issue-based organizers into an on-going, independent, progressive alternative to our corporate-dominated political system.

Among those participating in this dialogue:

-Tim Carpenter, executive director, Progressive Democrats of America
-David Cobb, leader of the Program on Corporations, Law and Democracy, Green Party 2004 Presidential candidate
-Sanda Everette, co-chair of the Green Party of the United States
-Ted Glick, co-founder of the Climate Crisis Coalition
-Kevin Gray, South Carolina community organizer and author
-Logan Martinez, leader of National Jobs for All
-Brent McMillan, executive director, Green Party of the United States
-Sandra Rivers, education activist, former Harlem, N.Y. school board member
-Jerome Scott, leader of the League of Revolutionaries for a New America
-Laura Wells, Green Party of California gubernatorial candidate

All USSF attendees are welcome to take part in this dialogue.

http://pdamerica.org/press/pressrelease.php?id=142

[Catherina]

1. Greens and Democrats working together? Shutting out the right?

Say it ain't so! They might actually get something done.

Good move PDA.

[midnight]

2. Let's get something done. That sounds like a good bumper sticker.

[peace frog]

39. Oh the humanity!

Start talking, folks. We're listening!

Enthusiastic K'n'R.

[Donnachaidh]

3. woot woot! K&R n/t

[KonaKane]

4. Step in the right direction.

And I'm really glad to see it.

[pscot]

5. Progressive Underground?

For the democratic wing of the Democratic party.

[defendandprotect]

19. Good idea . . .. IMO ...

And, think the democratic wing should be financing only that wing --

[fascisthunter]

31. I could help design it

[msongs]

6. the "people" of the US are way ahead of the "leadership" on many issues nt

[truedelphi]

8. For saying that, may I

offer you this :toast:

[defendandprotect]

21. True -- I keep saying that -- and in last two days I've had people open up politically ...

very openly -- one was a salesperson in a local store -- and he introduced

the subject that the country was changing re gay issues -- and he "didn't know

how I felt about it" -- Made clear immediately I thought it was wonderful!

Nice man --

Today a woman and mother who works in the greengrocer made clear how vulnerable

her family is -- her son just graduated from college -- can't get a job.

Her daughter is home from college and can't even get a summer job!!

Near tears in her eyes when she said -- "but she'll always have a roof over her head with us!"

Believe me when capitalism is mentioned these days, people make clear their disdain for it.

The country is ripe for a new revolution -- along the lines of the 60's youth revolution!

[Zorra]

7. Great news. An active united front could put the RW out business, and business out

of politics.

[Forkboy]

11. A united front on the Left would be crushing for the fragile remains of the Right.

Sadly, we're busy playing up to those on the Right instead of those on the Left. The day we get over our kneejerk hatred of all things Green (and as soon as many of them get over their kneejerk hatred of all things Dem) the better.

[Luminous Animal]

28. I'm not sure if you've ever worked with your local Green Party memebers or...

attended any of their meetings but in my experience, they've always worked with Dems. Progressive Dems on progressive issues, that is.

[Ignis]

40. Not if SCOTUS has anything to say about it.

But here's to a great alliance on the left!

Perhaps we should call it...The Rebel Alliance?

:hide:

[mmonk]

9. That is what it will take.

Forming coalitions again.

[Forkboy]

10. We need MUCH more of this type of stuff.

I am so tired of seeing Dems and Greens fight when we agree on so much more than the Greens and Dems do with the Right. It's hard in our political structure for two sides competing for the same vote to not see one another as an enemy, but this kind of working together, for both party's interests, would make the world a much better place.

A hearty K&R!

[mmonk]

12. Another kick.

[G_j]

13. good to hear

let it be only the beginning.

[Nikki Stone1]

14. kick

and r

[MzNov]

15. beautiful !

wish I could go

[LWolf]

16. Good to hear. I'd like to see them add public education as a key issue. nt

[defendandprotect]

22. Teachers union should go with them -- while there is anything left of them!!

Public education under heavy attack here in NJ with Repug Gov Christie --

[LWolf]

43. I'd sure like to see union representation there.

I'll suggest it, to be sure, although the night before is a little late.

[TransitJohn]

17. Hopefully something good comes out of it.

Too often, the "joint political strategy" is to figure out how to get the progressive vote for centrist Dems.

[socialist_n_TN]

48. How about a joint political strategy

for the Alliance to vote for the MOST progressive candidate in the primary in exchange for voting for the D (WHOEVER s/he is) in the General? Would that work?

[snot]

18. I wish they'd publicized this farther in advance!

[defendandprotect]

20. Always been obvious that LEFT organizations have to come together . . .

and one of the things that has been most confusing and frustrating as I've looked

at the left over a few decades. Some say it's because they fear one organization or

another won't get $$$$ . . . . !!

I think all the organizations on the left are strengthened when they work together --

Unfortunately, they didn't come out to protect ACORN ... at least I'm not aware of any

who did?

Had e-mail from Jane Hamsher - Fire Dog Lake -- today and think they are in this -- ???

[amborin]

23. Very good to hear!

[mod mom]

24. we share a common platform. I've long advocated them working together:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/mod%20mom/3

[glitch]

25. Green Dogs!

better yet, Grrreen Dogs!

[lsewpershad]

26. About time

All progressives unite against the status quo

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

27. Fantastic! Count me in. nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

29. Dems and Greens are natural allies.

Why the party doesn't spend it's time courting them and not GOPers is beyond me.

Pro-worker, pro-environment, pro-civil rights -- what's not for a person to love?

[fascisthunter]

30. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very good News! (nt)

[laughingliberal]

32. K & R nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

33. Fabulous news!

[nyc 4 Biden]

34. kayandare

[Bryn]

35. I hope this gets Media's attention

Down with the teabaggers stuff that they love to report.

There's an organization forming here in Arkansas called "United Progressives". Democrats, Greens, Labor, and all others coming together in a strong stand against the corporate oligarchy.

woot!

[RedRoses323]

36. Excellent!

:bounce: :kick:

[ihavenobias]

37. K & R n/t

[Nikki Stone1]

38. .

.

[Waiting For Everyman]

41. Very good news. K&R

And I hope its starting point is being United Against the Corporatists. Everybody with common sense can agree on THAT.

[ejbr]

42. k & r !! n/t

[unkachuck]

44. kick....n/t

[EXneoCON]

45. Any DU'ers participating in the dialogue??

Love to have an update from this afternoon's meeting.

[Bandit]

46. I am certain Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln can hardly wait to join.

Probably put Obama in there as well.

[Eyerish]

47. K&R

Excellent news...