Vigils Everywhere Wednesday: Hands Off Social Security
Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and allies will hold vigils at congressional offices around the country on Wednesday, January 19, to demand.
–Hands off Social Security
–Bring the troops home in 2011
–Move money from the Pentagon to our communities
Brown Bag Vigils are regularly scheduled at congressional district offices; details here: pdamerica.org/articles/misc/2009-11-13-12-49-50-misc.php
PDA national director Tim Carpenter remarked: “We have just passed fifty years since President Eisenhower warned of the influence of the military industrial complex. President Obama clearly did not take the warning seriously. A government that works for the war industry finds it easier to cut Social Security than weapons. The American people have made their opposition to these policies clear. Now they need to make clear their willingness to do something about it.”
The monthly Brown Bag Lunch Vigils, now in their second year, originally aimed to get out a simple message: “Healthcare NOT Warfare.” As the attacks on progressive values and the principles of democracy, equality, and fairness have escalated, the focus has broadened. Human needs are being sacrificed at the altar of corporate control and the enrichment of a few.
The sad truth is that we could afford community programs for jobs creation and retention and all the services now in jeopardy–due to cash-strapped states, counties, and cities–simply by ending the wars and occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq and by cutting the military budget down to what’s truly needed for defense.
Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to transform the Democratic Party and our country. We seek to build a party and government controlled by citizens, not corporate elites–with policies that serve the broad public interest, not just private interests. PDA is a grassroots PAC operating inside the Democratic Party, and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our inside/outside strategy is guided by the belief that a lasting majority will require a revitalized Democratic Party built on firm progressive principles.
For over two decades, the party declined as its leadership listened more to the voices of corporations than those of Americans. PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up–from every congressional district to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, where we work arm in arm with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. PDA and its allies have shaken up the political status quo–on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, Medicare for all, voter rights, accountability, and economic and environmental justice.