Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
Sat Mar 28, 2015, 10:45 PM Mar 2015

LIVESTREAM this wkd - "Populism 2015" - You're gonna LOVE it!

Last edited Sat Apr 18, 2015, 07:52 AM - Edit history (2)



https://populism2015.org/

Put People & Planet First!


Populism 2015 Platform: Building A Movement for People and the Planet

1. Rebuild America for the 21st Century and Create Jobs for All.
America’s public infrastructure – from roads to rail to water and energy systems – is increasingly dangerous to our health and a drag on our economy. National investment in rebuilding America will create millions of high-quality jobs, bid wages up, help close the racial jobs gap, and make America a better place to live and work.

2. Raise Wages, Empower Workers and Reverse Inequality.
Inequality has reached new extremes, as more and more jobs become contingent and part-time, with low pay and few benefits. We should lift the floor under every worker by guaranteeing a living wage, paid sick and vacation days, and affordable health care. We should empower workers to form unions and bargain collectively. We must curb perverse CEO compensation policies that give executives personal incentives to plunder their own companies.

3. Invest in a Green Economy.
Catastrophic climate change is a clear and present danger. The United States should lead the global green revolution that builds strong and resilient communities. Public investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency can create jobs and opportunity, particularly in communities of color that have borne the worst consequences of toxic corporate practices.

4. Eliminate Institutionalized Racism to Open Opportunity to All.
In a society of increasing diversity, ending systemic racial disparities is vital to building economic prosperity. This begins with comprehensive immigration reform, expanded voting rights and an end to mass incarceration and the systematic criminalization of people of color.

5. Guarantee Women’s Economic Equality.
We will ensure that women are guaranteed the same pay, protections and opportunities as men in the workplace and in society. Families must have access to high-quality child care and paid leave from the workplace for childbirth, illness and vacation. Women must also be guaranteed affordable health care and a secure retirement – with Social Security credit for work in the household.

6. Provide a High-Quality Education to Every Child
Every child must have the right to high-quality, free public education from preschool to college. This requires providing the basics – preschool, smaller classes, summer and after-school programs, and skilled teachers. Free four-year, post-high school education should be available for all who seek it. We must also provide relief to the generation now burdened with a student debt that they may never pay off.

7. Expand Shared Security for the 21st Century.
No child should go hungry in America. Health care should be a right, not a privilege. Every worker deserves a secure retirement. A job should be available to everyone willing and able to work. We will strengthen and expand America’s shared security programs – Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment, food support and housing assistance. Greater shared security makes the economy more robust by enabling entrepreneurs and workers to take risks, knowing that they can survive failure.

8. Enforce Fair Taxes on Corporations and the Wealthy.
Our tax code rigs the rules to favor the few. Multinationals pay lower tax rates than small domestic businesses. Billionaire investors pay lower rates than their secretaries. Top income tax rates have been lowered even as working people face ever-higher sales taxes and fees. It is time for the rich and corporations to pay their fair share of taxes so that we can invest in an economy that will work for all.

9. Forge a Global Strategy that Works for Working People.
Our global trade and tax policies are rigged by multinational companies to drive down pay and worker protections while harming the environment. We need more but balanced trade, global standards that protect the rights of workers, consumers and the environment. That requires a crackdown on tax havens, currency manipulation, and deals that allow corporation to trample basic labor rights here and abroad.

10. Make Wall Street Serve the Real Economy.

Financial deregulation has devastated our economy and protected banks that are too big to fail, too big to manage and too big to jail. The financial casino fosters ever more dangerous speculation, while investment in the real economy lags. The resulting booms and busts devastate families and small businesses. We need to break up the big banks, levy a speculation tax, and provide low-income families with safe and affordable banking services. We should crack down on payday lenders and other schemes that exploit vulnerable working families.

11. Change Priorities to Address Real Security Needs.
Our current national security policies commit us to policing the world. The result costs lives and drains public resources. We need a real security policy that makes military intervention a last resort, and focuses on global threats like climate change, poverty and inequality. We should reduce military budgets and properly support humanitarian programs.

12. Fight for Democracy and Curb the Power of Big Money.
From big-money politics to the assault on the right to vote and a corrupted lobby culture in Washington, our democracy is under assault. It is no accident that the assault has escalated as a new majority of people of color, young people and working women has begun to emerge. We need to close the revolving door between Wall Street and Washington, and expose the entrenched interests that buy our legislators. We need public financing of elections that bans corporate and big money. We must guarantee the right to vote, with easy access to registration and the polls.

https://populism2015.org/the-new-populist-agenda/


Anyone here live near DC? Wouldn't it be great if one of us could attend? I wish I could.

So far, their speakers are Jim Hightower, Keith Ellison, Robert Borosage, & Vien Truong

(Doesn't this blow the PCCC's efforts out of the water?!!!! This is US & we are them, just not as connected. )



Here is an email regarding the livestream available to all of us who are unable to attend the event in DC this weekend. (Tonight 6-7:15 pm EST &/or tomorrow 1:30-2:45 pm EST)~

Dear (RiverLover),

This weekend, thousands of grassroots leaders are coming together to build a movement for people and the planet -- Populisim2015. You have the chance to be part of something big, and join USAction as we continue to fight for families and the end of wasteful Pentagon spending.

This conference is co-sponsored by National People’s Action, the Alliance for a Just Society, USAction and Campaign for America’s Future. These four organizations have come together under a shared platform: Jobs for all. Higher wages. A green economy. An end to racial and gender inequality. High-quality education for every child. Economic security. Fair taxation. Peacemaking, not warmongering. Curb Wall Street and big-money politics.

You can participate online by using the hashtags #Populism2015 and #PeoplePlanet1st. Be sure to also follow along by watching the livestream of tomorrow evening’s opening plenary People and Planet First: The New Populist Movement from 6 to 7:15 pm Eastern. Saturday’s plenary features national radio commentator and populist activist Jim Hightower. You can click here on Saturday to watch the livestream.

Can’t watch tomorrow? You can also watch the livestream of Sunday afternoon’s plenary: Advancing a Populist Agenda that Puts People and Planet First with Congressman Keith Ellison and Vien Truong from 1:30 to 2:45 pm Eastern. Click here on Sunday to watch the livestream.

Your participation in this conference means we are one step closer to changing priorities to address our need to have real security in our lives.

Thank you for taking action, and we’ll see you this weekend!

Fred Azcarate
Executive Director






44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
LIVESTREAM this wkd - "Populism 2015" - You're gonna LOVE it! (Original Post) RiverLover Mar 2015 OP
K&R! I've got to say it. This post deserves hundreds of recommendations! Enthusiast Mar 2015 #1
I just did an OP for this in GD tonite, trying to keep it *kicked. Looks great, hope I can attend appalachiablue Apr 2015 #19
Forgot the link, to spread the word & kick it. Thanks- appalachiablue Apr 2015 #32
Coming to a town near you!!!! aspirant Mar 2015 #2
I'm guessing we'll find out more after the conference & its workshops for organizing. RiverLover Mar 2015 #7
Just put an OP for this conference in GD tonite, trying to keep it kicked. Hope to attend appalachiablue Apr 2015 #20
This message was self-deleted by its author appalachiablue Apr 2015 #23
Forgot the GD link, for kick and to spread the word even at this late date. Thx. appalachiablue Apr 2015 #33
Heck yes. lovemydog Mar 2015 #3
Posted tonite, maybe I can go to some sessions of this Populist Conf. April 18-20, in DC. appalachiablue Apr 2015 #41
Fucking terrorists mindwalker_i Mar 2015 #4
Who is behind this? They are the real leaders of the Democratic Party. Scuba Mar 2015 #5
No kidding. RiverLover Mar 2015 #8
Just did an OP in GD for this conference tonite, keep it kicked. Will try to attend some of it, appalachiablue Apr 2015 #24
Here's the link I just posted if anyone's interested, it needs kicks! Thx. appalachiablue Apr 2015 #34
k&r chervilant Mar 2015 #6
Just did an OP in GD for this conference, keep it kicked. Will try to attend some of it, appalachiablue Apr 2015 #26
Forgot the link, needs kick! Should be a fine event, **how far would you have to travel to DC? appalachiablue Apr 2015 #35
I'm in NW Arkansas, near Branson, MO. chervilant Apr 2015 #36
This Fairgo Mar 2015 #9
Bravo. We need to get to work to promulgate this message to the public rhett o rick Mar 2015 #10
Did an OP for this in GD tonite, keep it kicked. Hope to attend some of it, will appalachiablue Apr 2015 #21
FYI, forgot the link for this Populist event which I'll try to attend for a bit, not sure yet. appalachiablue Apr 2015 #37
K & R GoneFishin Mar 2015 #11
K&R! peacebird Mar 2015 #12
Just saw this. It definitely needs more exposure, would love to be able to go. sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #13
Did an OP for this in GD tonite, trying to keep *kicked. Will try to attend some of it, looks great; appalachiablue Apr 2015 #18
Do you have a link to the OP? Populism does rock! sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #29
This message was self-deleted by its author appalachiablue Apr 2015 #31
Huge K & R !!! - Thank You !!! WillyT Apr 2015 #14
Thank you right back, WillyT!!! RiverLover Apr 2015 #16
Just put an OP in GD for this conference, keep it kicked. Will try to attend some of it, appalachiablue Apr 2015 #22
Here's Tonite's link for the 'Populism 2015' Conference in DC this wkend. April 18-20. appalachiablue Apr 2015 #38
Kicking because the meetings are this weekend!! RiverLover Apr 2015 #15
Just read that Bernie may announce he is running, if we support him. I wonder if they would sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #40
I just put an OP for the event in Gen. Discussion, looks like a super conference. Will appalachiablue Apr 2015 #17
appalachiablue!! That is so great! RiverLover Apr 2015 #25
Me too, here's hoping! Many good concurrent sessions & will see if def. in the next 2 days. appalachiablue Apr 2015 #28
K & R, it is time. TY, RiverLover. mother earth Apr 2015 #27
Something for Populists! Conference is this wkend in DC, Cherryblossom time- appalachiablue Apr 2015 #39
'Building a Movement' - I like that! sabrina 1 Apr 2015 #30
...! KoKo Apr 2015 #42
New article on this, today - "Can New Populist Agenda Harness Passions, Create Movement From Below?" RiverLover Apr 2015 #43
Kickin' for livestream! RiverLover Apr 2015 #44

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
19. I just did an OP for this in GD tonite, trying to keep it *kicked. Looks great, hope I can attend
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:04 PM
Apr 2015

some of it, will know in the next couple days. Populism rocks!

aspirant

(3,533 posts)
2. Coming to a town near you!!!!
Sun Mar 29, 2015, 12:09 AM
Mar 2015

Will they set-up a national tour?

PCCC, where are their Grass Roots Organizations?

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
7. I'm guessing we'll find out more after the conference & its workshops for organizing.
Sun Mar 29, 2015, 05:55 AM
Mar 2015

Day 1: Intro & Welcome: "Opening Plenary–People and Planet First: The New Populist Movement"

Day 2: Advancing a Populist Agenda that Puts People and Planet First

Day 3: Moving Toward Victory with a Populist Agenda

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
20. Just put an OP for this conference in GD tonite, trying to keep it kicked. Hope to attend
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:06 PM
Apr 2015

some of it, will know more in the next couple days. Populism rocks!

Response to aspirant (Reply #2)

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
24. Just did an OP in GD for this conference tonite, keep it kicked. Will try to attend some of it,
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:19 PM
Apr 2015

know more in the next couple days. Spread the word- Populism Rocks!

chervilant

(8,267 posts)
6. k&r
Sun Mar 29, 2015, 01:29 AM
Mar 2015

I haven't marched on Washington since I protested the illegal invasion of Iraq. Wish I could afford to go this time!

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
26. Just did an OP in GD for this conference, keep it kicked. Will try to attend some of it,
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:20 PM
Apr 2015

know more in the next couple days. Spread the word- Populism rocks!

Fairgo

(1,571 posts)
9. This
Sun Mar 29, 2015, 06:32 AM
Mar 2015

Is the platform I have been looking for. I don't vote for people, I vote for ideas. I vote for this!

 

rhett o rick

(55,981 posts)
10. Bravo. We need to get to work to promulgate this message to the public
Sun Mar 29, 2015, 10:04 AM
Mar 2015

and our representatives. Also, we need to work to get this incorporated into the Democratic National Platform.

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
21. Did an OP for this in GD tonite, keep it kicked. Hope to attend some of it, will
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:08 PM
Apr 2015

know more in the next couple days. Populism rocks!

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
13. Just saw this. It definitely needs more exposure, would love to be able to go.
Sun Apr 5, 2015, 11:50 AM
Apr 2015

As someone else in the thread said 'I don't vote for people, I vote for ideas'. And those are some pretty good ideas.

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
18. Did an OP for this in GD tonite, trying to keep *kicked. Will try to attend some of it, looks great;
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:01 PM
Apr 2015

will know more in the next couple days. Populism Rocks!

Response to appalachiablue (Reply #18)

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
22. Just put an OP in GD for this conference, keep it kicked. Will try to attend some of it,
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:13 PM
Apr 2015

will know more in the next couple days. Spread the word- Populism rocks!

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
38. Here's Tonite's link for the 'Populism 2015' Conference in DC this wkend. April 18-20.
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 11:21 PM
Apr 2015

I might go to some sessions if I can, they look good. And it's Cherry Blossom time-

LINK: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026513909

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
15. Kicking because the meetings are this weekend!!
Tue Apr 14, 2015, 08:23 PM
Apr 2015

We should expect some positive momentum & actions coming from it.

Wish someone from our group here could go, but I'm just grateful these people are DOING something & I hope I/we can get in on it wherever we may live in the US!!

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
40. Just read that Bernie may announce he is running, if we support him. I wonder if they would
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 11:31 PM
Apr 2015

get behind someone like Bernie and any other Progressive Dem who decides to run?

They will need all the help they can get to run against all that money.

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
17. I just put an OP for the event in Gen. Discussion, looks like a super conference. Will
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 07:56 PM
Apr 2015

try to attend some of it if I can, will know more in the next couple days. Thanks for your post or I'd have never known about it. Trying to keep the GD OP I did *kicked tonite so it doesn't sink! Trying to spread the word.

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
25. appalachiablue!! That is so great!
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:19 PM
Apr 2015

I hope you can go to at least one of the days.

Truly. Would LOVE to just live vicariously through you! I think some great things will come out of it. Thanks for spreading the word, too!!

appalachiablue

(42,927 posts)
28. Me too, here's hoping! Many good concurrent sessions & will see if def. in the next 2 days.
Wed Apr 15, 2015, 08:33 PM
Apr 2015

I took the liberty of contacting people in this thread cuz they'd shown interest. I want the OP kicked but can't pester all!- it is what it is. Did YOU do an OP in GD in late March?

So far I wrote:
Scuba, WillyT, aspirant, Sabrina, enthusiast, Rick o Rhett, chervilant, and Peacebird already saw it. I don't know many, think this is probably enuff. Oh, Merrily maybe, or she'll see it-

Thanks, and remember, Populism Rocks!

RiverLover

(7,830 posts)
43. New article on this, today - "Can New Populist Agenda Harness Passions, Create Movement From Below?"
Fri Apr 17, 2015, 08:49 AM
Apr 2015
Hoping they can drive a revamped public conversation and fuel a populist counter-movement from the left against an otherwise rightward lurch in the country, a coalition of progressive organizations this week is championing a new agenda designed to galvanize those demanding an economic, political, and ecological transformation in the United States.

Representing more than 2 million active members from their respective organizations in more than 32 states, the four members of the coalition—the Campaign for America's Future, National People's Action, US Action, and the Alliance for a Just Society—say that the nation's numerous and interwoven crises have drawn them together during a historic moment that demands a populist response.

"We're in a populist moment here in America," said Roger Hickey, co-director of the Campaign for America's Future, on a Thursday press call. "Even conservative Republicans are telling us that and average Americans nod in agreement when Sen. Elizabeth Warren tells us that our economy and our government have been rigged in favor of the wealthy and the big corporations."

According to Hickey, the 12-point agenda the group has unveiled—which will be featured prominently at the Populism2015 Conference running through this weekend in Washington, DC—goes well beyond what any politician is now offering. "It is an integrated platform to create jobs and sustainable prosperity," he said.

Isaiah Poole, CAF's communications director, says the agenda—officially titled, Populism 2015 Platform: Building A Movement for People and the Planet— was designed to put "on notice politicians who offer workers patches and palliatives to soften the blows of actions that have served to shrink the middle class and concentrate wealth at the top. This is not about remediation. The demand is for restructuring."

...It is because of dynamics like this, says Hickey, that the populist moment is here whether politicians want to acknowledge it or not.

He said this new coalition, joined by others, will use their shared agenda as a way to force politicians to answer the following kinds of questions during campaign stops across the country throughout the election season:

Do you support greater public investment to create good jobs and spur sustainable growth?

Will you vote to increase Social Security benefits, as 42 Senators have done, or will you vote for cuts?

Will you break up banks that are “too big to fail,” or will you keep deregulating the banks?

Do you support the demands for a $15 wage, the right to a union, immediate Federal action to require these of federal contractors as put forward in the streets on Wednesday by low wage workers?

Will you fight climate change by investing in green energy and by raising energy taxes?

Do you oppose “Fast Track” and the Trans Pacific Partnership soon to be before the Congress – or will you ignore the impact on U.S. jobs and democracy and support these measures?

Will you work to get big money out of politics – or do you like its impact on democracy?

"When you organize, you can win. Our power is in our numbers," said Hall....

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/04/17/can-new-populist-agenda-harness-passions-create-movement-below
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Populist Reform of the Democratic Party»LIVESTREAM this wkd - &qu...