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DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA
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December 30, 2006 |
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News from DSA: |
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A PROGRESSIVE NEW YEAR
Will 2006 be seen as the beginning of the end of the Republican/Fundamentalist domination of America's political agenda? Will 2007 witness the start of a populist resurgence that will take the country in a new direction? Or will future historians write that an unpopular war led to a brief hiatus in Republican control of government, followed by a return of conservative governments gutting the public sector and redistributing income and power in an upward direction?
What each of us does politically over the course of the next two years will affect the answers to those questions more than the advice of any of the high-priced Washington political consultants that spin the political agenda. The Democratic policy agenda for the new Congress, which stands a good chance of passing, envisions important, but only modest reforms, -- increasing the minimum wage, bringing down Medicare prescription drug prices, and restricting oil-prospecting tax-giveaways. DSA will back those reforms, but we will demand much more, particularly in regards to single-payer health care, troop withdrawal from Iraq, and union card-check recognition.
We urge our members and friends to be part of a chorus that shouts every day to the national Democratic Party leadership that identifying problems without proposing real solutions is not enough. So, yes, increasing the minimum wage by $2.00 is important; it will put more money in the pockets of people who really need it, and we hope it passes quickly. But such an increase does not begin to restore the purchasing power of the minimum wage, nor does it establish a living family wage that includes universal health care. At a minimum, the new Congress must index the minimum wage to inflation so that increases are automatic and not subject to political calculations.
If we don't demand more than the professional politicians are willing to consider, there is every danger that the momentum gained in 2006 will be lost. In 2007 DSA will publicize and then organize around a legislative agenda that addresses the fundamental issues of inequality and economic insecurity that dominate the lives of poor and working Americans. We will bring this agenda to public attention through town hall meetings, teach-ins, and public legislative hearings around the country. And we hope to put this agenda before the candidates running in the Democratic presidential primaries.
We will work in coalition with our allies in the trade union, civil rights, peace, and community organizing movements. We believe that more than cheerleading is required if a progressive coalition is to be reborn that is capable of pressuring our elected representatives to enact policies that benefit the people rather than the clients of K street corporate lobbyists.
DEMOCRATIC LEFT IS IN THE MAIL  Democratic Left is in the mail and has already been delivered to some homes. The issue features a wrap up on our efforts on behalf of Bernie Sanders and begins a series of articles on political developments in this hemisphere. Bundle orders of Democratic Left are shipped free of charge to organized DSA groups and are available at very modest costs to other progressive organizations and for use in classrooms.
For bundle orders email: fllewellyn@dsausa.org.
THERE IS STILL TIME TO MAKE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT OUR WORK We depend on individual contributions for the bulk of our budget. Despite the fact that 2006 is virtually over, you can still make a tax-deductible contribution for your 2006 return to Democratic Socialists of America Fund. Just make sure your check is dated before December 31, 2006, and mail it to DSA Fund, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 505, New York, NY 10038. To join or make a contribution on-line with a MASTERCARD or VISA, visit our web site today or tomorrow. Click here to make your donation. AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDS
It saves us money to limit the credit card choices to MASTERCARD and VISA on our web site. However, if you absolutely must use an American Express Card, you can do it through the Giving ExpressSM program American Express sponsors. Contributions may only be made to the Democratic Socialists of America Fund. One-time gifts or recurring gifts can be made. There is a 2.25% processing fee which we pay, giving you the full value of the tax-deduction. If you contribute before the years end, you will even get double reward points. To make a contribution with an American Express card click here. At their site you will have to follow their prompts and then key in our information.
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| Paid for by the Democratic Socialists of America PAC; not approved by any candidate or candidate's commitee. |
