THE PROGRESSIVE MANIFESTO

Crucial Truths and Solutions for

21^st Century America

“Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of the individual and his freedom.”

-Harry Truman, former US President

What is the purpose of government? Why do we collectively pool our tax dollars together? What are these trillions of dollars to be spent on? The expansion of Empire, killing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians? Torture? The surveillance of peaceful citizens who disagree with the current Administration? Support of industry that destroys our ecosystem as well as our health? Or should it be to provide things like education, health care, clean water, clean air, safe food, protection from various toxins/radiation, fair wages and working conditions, economic justice, libraries, public transportation, public radio & TV, roads, and the protection of our Rights? We work for a just and free society so that we will have the peace, health and free time to pursue happiness, an impossible endeavor when living in a closed, exploitive and oppressive society. The basic requirements for happiness are adequate food, shelter, and health care. Since the lack of these basics are inherently an issue of socio-economic injustice, the most common obstacles to a spiritually evolved society are political issues, and therefore require political action. Democracy is the best form of government because the majority of people are good natured and they want their shared wealth to be used for the greater good. However, there have always been the power-hungry and destructive few who want the incredible resources provided by government to be used for their own selfish ends. This is basically a battle between real democracy and fascism, and don’t think it isn’t happening here in the USA.

The American Revolution was fought against an unelected government, the British Empire, which used the idea of a Free Market to exploit and suppress the American colonists. The Boston Tea Party, which sparked the Revolution, was a direct action taken against a multi-national corporation, The East India Company, which was using an unregulated free market system provided by the British Empire, under “The Tea Act”, to wipe out the small businesses in the colonies. Today we are told that the Free Market is “American” while our jobs are downsized and relocated overseas to foreign workers who are exploited and given slave wages with little or no protections. The neo-conservative movement in America today parallels exactly what the American colonists fought against. Multi-national corporations free from necessary regulation along with institutions and like the corporate controlled Federal Reserve, The Council of Foreign Relations, The Trilateral Commission, “The Bilderberg Group” and agreements/policy outlined by NAFTA/CAFTA, World Bank, IMF, and WTO that undermine democracy, fair marketplace and economic system here and throughout the world need to be resisted and stripped of their destructive power. We The People should rebel as the colonists did against fascist tyrannical rule (except nonviolently this time), to restore principle-based democracy that produces a fair and just system. The true Revolution is always against violence and oppression in its many forms.

The fundamental problem we and those in the past have faced is lack of democracy. It is the corporate right-wing control of our policy that needs to end; we need to have policy based on the majority's will, not the rich few. The world of the twenty-first century is filled with injustice and unnecessary suffering. We think that the majority of people on Earth have it in their interest to create new political policy that promotes real democracy, equal rights, individual freedom and social justice. We must no longer accept propaganda that blurs right and wrong, this has been a tactic to propagate injustice since the beginning of civilization.

Today we have the biggest terrorists in the world, The Bush Administration, telling us that the biggest “evil-doers” are Al-Qaeda, an “American –made” organization. The US government has been the greatest purveyor of violence in the world in the past century, and that truth is continuing into this new century. Those of us that are aware of what’s really going on must inform the rest of the public that has been brainwashed by the mass-media with government lies and propaganda.

All over the world, powerful corporations are working with politicians to undermine representative democracy. In the United States, individual liberties and constitutional rights are being undermined by the Patriot Act, which was made law without any real democratic process. U.S. soldiers are dying and fighting in an unjust and illegal war, killing tens of thousands of civilians; a war that the majority of American people are against. The war is supposedly against terrorism, yet the evidence is overwhelming that the Bush Administration purposely allowed the 9/11 terrorist attacks to happen in order to carry out their “Project For a New American Century” which said it needed a “New Pearl Harbor” in order to execute its plans, which included a preemptive war with Iraq, because they would be unpopular with the public and Congress. Impeachment proceedings should commence immediately for lying to congress about the necessity for going to war with Iraq. (There were No WMDs in Iraq)

The evidence is also overwhelming that the 2000 and 2004 U.S. presidential elections were rigged. U.S. voting systems were visibly rigged in the 2004 presidential election, and the Supreme Court ignored Al Gore's win in 2000, enacting a coup d'état. Al Gore received more votes than Bush in 2000, and John Kerry certainly received more votes in 2004. The numbers were electronically changed along with millions of voters being unjustly disenfranchised. A lot of citizens became activists only for the presidential campaigns and afterwards significantly lowered their resistance to injustice; by focusing on a single date, like November 2^nd (election day), the public disempowers themselves similarly as is done through belief in savior mythology. By putting all the weight on one day or one individual the power is lost from the People.

There are brilliant progressive leaders like Noam Chomsky, Cornell West, Ralph Nader, Thom Hartmann, etc. whose arguments are greatly reduced in quality by remaining in the framework of known lies and propaganda (the official 9/11 story, “we had good intentions in Iraq”, Bush was legitimately elected) and so their words always lack the ability to bring significant change; the fascists will just repeat things like “war on terror” & “support our troops” “Bush/Cheney were elected by the People” and the Left is put back on the defensive instead of the offensive where it should and needs to be.

Throughout history, the greatest social injustices have happened when governmental power becomes concentrated in one small group, which then imposes its will on the Public, undermining democracy. The most important social changes occur when the Public makes active steps to declare its freedom and take power back from the few. Now is the time to return the power of the people's tax dollars to the Public, through a true democratic republic. Now is the time to reclaim the Free Press so we can end the misinformation campaigns that have served the harmful systems and policies of Empire. Contradictory to Biblical mythology of Adam and Eve, we need to eat the apple of the knowledge of good and evil, because the truth remains distorted and injustice continues as long as we don’t know what’s really causing harm and what is not.

In order to challenge irresponsible corporations and oppressive governments, local communities must become more self-reliant economically and politically. At the same time, local communities must communicate with other communities and groups around the globe to create a new solidarity based on economic, environmental and social equality. One way this can be achieved is by establishing a "Center for Peace and Justice" (and satellite “infoshops” ) in your community as a nexus for different groups, activists and educational materials. People need a gathering place and concise resources listing the exact solutions available, so they may mobilize and make their specific demands. This manifesto is an example of such a resource (make copies please) as are the books listed at the end of this pamphlet.

Our country's governmental powers have been taken over by criminals that are spreading harmful and unprincipled policy in our nation and the world. And the true representatives who do exist are being ignored, unjustly removed from office through sham elections, or assassinated (as was most likely the case with Senator Paul Wellstone: see the book "American Assassination: The Strange Death of Senator Paul Wellstone" for the evidence of wrongdoing) which may explain some of the lack of resistance by other progressive Democrats in Congress, perhaps they are afraid of having themselves and their families harmed as well. The strategy of fascists to assassinate leaders like Wellstone, Martin Luther King, Jr. John and Robert Kennedy has only one logical counter-strategy: to overwhelm the tyrants with large numbers of resisters so great that they can't fire/silence/blackmail/kill everyone, and then the truth will get out and the movement for justice and positive change will succeed. There are many examples of this strategy being used successfully in history; non-violent civil disobediance remains the most effective means of achieving revolutionary change.

The war criminals currently occupying the white house cannot be trusted with the powers of the federal government: the power to militarize space, control nuclear weapons, biological weapons, etc. They cannot be trusted because it is now known that they committed mass violence against our own people on 9/11, along with lying to invade two nations where hundred of thousands have now been killed. The truth of 9/11 and the past two elections will lead the way in ending the mass corruption and evil that has infiltrated our government.

We need a true democracy that is not dominated by the wealthy and immoral. Concentration of power in the hands of the economic elite has historically been the root of injustice, corruption, and tyranny. Whether it's corporate monopolies or non-participatory government, when the majority's voice is not heard, bad policy is always the outcome. This is the same story that has been repeated throughout history: the few taking power from the many always causes destruction and a halt of progress for human civilization, undermining democracy.

Protests and local organizing are very important, and should be used to pressure for political change. The largest protests in world history have been against the illegitimate presidency and vice-presidency of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney, demanding true democracy in the United States. When the majority's voice is not heard, bad policy is always the outcome. A lack of true democracy and human rights enforcement always leads to harmful and unjust policies. Impeachment proceedings should begin immediately for Bush & Cheney; they should be put on trial for their acts of treason, mass-murder of American citizens, and war crimes against the people of Afghanistan and Iraq, of which an estimated 700,000+ have been killed under the Bush reign. The British occupation of Ireland, China’s occupation of Tibet, and the US occupation of Afghanistan and Iraq are all illegal and unjust and should end immediately.

A political party acts as an organizational structure, articulating the ideals and priorities of its members. The Green Party, for example, has a well-developed progressive political platform, and has the power to coalesce citizen support for political and social justice. Yet, we shouldn't be attached to labels such as Democrat, Libertarian, Progressive, Independent, Republican or Green. Regardless of party affiliation, whatever decreases democracy, health and individual rights is harmful policy; and whatever furthers democratic participation, personal freedom, equality, peace and social justice is good policy. We should also avoid dead-end philosophy like “Anarchy” or “Communism”: the former offers no constructive change and the latter leads to concentration of power and oppression. Democracy should be the focus; increasing it at the community and national level.

Our institutions are made of individuals whose personal actions and relations are critical to the whole. Respect for others' freedom and equality in all relations will further the cause of justice. When compassion and understanding fill our everyday behavior, and a true democratic system exists, progressive policies will naturally follow. We must also be aware of our everyday choices as consumers and think of who and what we are supporting, if a new positive paradigm is really going to come into place.

Listed below are not all the solutions, but examples of better policy choices that we can adopt immediately to the benefit of the majority of American citizens and people throughout the world. Each of these policy changes can be looked at as fundamentally a shift towards less violence and oppression and more well-being and democracy. Our current foreign, economic, health, education, housing etc. policies result in vast unnecessary harm to people, animals and the environment. Do your representatives support the alternative policies listed here? If not, ask them why. If the legislation for these policy changes has not already been introduced to your State Legislature or to the national Congress for you to support, work to have such legislation created and introduced. Also support the organizations listed below or look for similar organizations that may be in your area, or start your own if one does not exist. This is the front line of socio-political change and this is where citizen activist must organize, coalition build and take action if we are to have the society that we want and deserve.

Join the resistance against empire and tyranny, and discover the amazing satisfaction and meaning that is found through the path of compassionate activism; it’s time to no longer accept lives filled with lies, mediocrity, depression, and superficiality. It’s time to rise up against the enemies of humanity, freedom, democracy and happiness.

PROGRESSIVE POLICIES TO ADOPT

1. . Begin Impeachment proceedings immediately for both Bush and Cheney and re-open the 9/11 Investigations: www.impeachbush.tv, STJ911.org, AE911truth.org, 911Truth.org

2. . Remove all US troops immediately from Iraq and abolish all secret prisons and torture facilities: www.afterdowningstreet.org, www.amnestyusa.org/stoptorture

3. . Election system reforms: voter-verifiable paper ballots, publicly funded campaigns, abolish the electoral college, campaign spending limit, run-off voting, same-day voter registration, holiday/weekend election day, voter registration forms available at all post offices, end “winner take all” system, institute proportional representation, end the two part and corporate controlled Presidential Debate Commission, replace with a truly non-partisan Citizen's Debate Commission, end released felon disenfranchisement: www.commoncause.org, www.verifiedvoting.org, www.blackboxvoting.org, http://www.opendebates.org/

4. No Police-State USA! Remove unconstitutional provisions of the USA Patriot Act and other legislation that violates citizen’s right to privacy and protection from unjust search, seizure and arrest. End “Terror Watch List” which restricts civil rights and “Enemy Combatant” labeling of American Citizens. Restore all rights lost under the lie of “The War on Terror”, as outlined in the book “The End of America” by Naoimi Wolf. Fully fund and increase number of public defense lawyers: www.aclu.org

5. . End the drug war. Legalize responsible adult use of cannabis. Stress importance of treatment programs rather than prison for addicts of harder drugs, legalize Ibogaine for drug addiction treatment: www.drugpolicy.org, www.mpp.org, www.norml.org

6. . End and reverse any privatization scheme for Social Security.

7. . Redirection of tax funds from military spending to human-needs spending, repeal tax cuts for the rich, reinstate the Estate Tax: Citizens For Tax Justice, www.ctj.org, Friends Committee on Legislation: www.fncl.org

8. . Establish a National Living Wage: www.livingwagecampaign.org

9. . Create a universal single-payer health care system that limits insurance companies' power to restrict adequate health care: www.healthcare-now.org

10. . End unjust censorship of art, education and media: www.ifex.org

11. . Abolish the Death Penalty for all ages and Life Imprisonment without for parole for minors, End corporate control of prisoner treatment policy: www.ncadp.org

12. . Fund public schools equally across socioeconomic regions and institute full state scholarship for majority of high school students, nation-wide standard of free healthy breakfast and lunch available for all students: www.educationpolicy.org

13. . End the use of nuclear energy, coal and petroleum. Convert to clean energy: solar, wind, ethanol, hydrogen, biomass. End suppression of all “free energy” technologies (magnet, etc.), as well as “water-powered” cars: www.sustainableenergy.org

14. . End militarization of space and launching of nuclear materials into space (that can and already have spread throughout world during accidents, increasing world cancer rates): www.space4peace.org, www.abolition2000.org

15. . End forest and wildlife habitat destruction. Create a national top-soil restoration and preservation fund/policy. Replace tree products with renewable fiber sources (e.g. hemp, kenaf): www.votehemp.com, www.livingtreepaper.com

16. . End corporate "personhood" and unjust tax breaks, subsidies, environmental damage, and social irresponsibility: www.ctj.org, www.corpwatch.org

17. . Establish recycling programs in every city working towards "zero waste". Southwest Network for Zero Waste: www.zerowastenetwork.org

18. . End imperial foreign policy that invites humanitarian crises and stifles democracy: www.unitedforpeace.org

19. . End production, testing and use of nuclear weapons and WMDs. Coordinate international nuclear disarmament: www.ploughshares.org

20. . End corporate media conglomeration. Expand independent and public media sources: www.indymedia.org www.democracynow.org, www.freepress.org

21. . Reform/Abolish IMF, WTO and World Bank, which act as fascist regulating organizations removed from the democratic process that bring destruction, exploitation and oppression. Institute a tax on financial speculation that would put the needs of people before profit : Third World Network: www.twnside.org.sg

22. . End pay inequality / discriminatory policy for minorities and women, gay, lesbian and transgender citizens: www.naacp.org, www.now.org, www.hrc.org, www.thetaskforce.org

23. . End cruelty to animals on factory farms, end animal experimentation. Promote and educate public on benefits of veganism:

    www.veganoutreach.org, www.goveg.com, www.peta.org

24. . End “Union Busting” tactics of businesses, restore union independency from corporate control: www.cluw.org, www.goiam.org, www.aflcio.org

25. . End human right abuses of immigrants: www.immigrantsolidarity.org

26. . Create more affordable housing/job training to reduce homelessness: www.endhomelessness.org

27. . Change Columbus Day to Native American Day, end unjust policies on Native reservations, create Federal Native American Anti-poverty Fund, Promote Native American Hemp Industry, free Leonard Peltier: www.transformcolumbusday.org, www.aimovement.org, www.freepeltier.org

28. . Support Universal Declaration of Human Rights/International Criminal Court, end the U.S. exemption from prosecution by the ICC.

29. . End production of aspartame, MSG and other harmful food additives, hormones, antibiotics, etc. Abolish the WTO “Codex Alimentarius” food regulations, which will actually increase toxins in foods and decrease nutrients. www.healthfreedomUSA.org, www.naturalcures.org

30. . Create independent investigative body (the FDA has been corrupted) to study possible harmful effects of all personal care products, housing materials, modern technology (microwave/cell towers, etc.) and other products and chemicals for human and animal use as well the risks of cellular devices, vaccines (end mandatory requirement for schoolchildren or in “martial law” situation). Create a new higher standard for clean tap water, removing fluoride, hormones and other contaminants. Increase/standardize public notification of pesticide (and other toxin) use in public places, begin full investigation of “chemtrails” phenomena; end the “H.A.A.R.P.” program immediately.

31. . Fully fund natural medicine/nutrient aid to areas where people/children are dying of preventable diseases/malnutrition, fund research into curing/preventing AIDS that is not dependent on the artificial pharmaceutical industry. Encourage organic vegan foods.

32. . Begin full government disclosure and independent investigation of the UFO phenomena. http://www.disclosureproject.org/

33. . End ability of corporations to patent food and life forms through genetic modification, preventing re-seeding, lowering nutritional content and creating further corporate dependence. www.thefutureoffood.com

34. . Abolish the corporate-run Federal Reserve and the unconstitutional Federal Income Tax (the 16^th Amendment to the Constitution was never legally ratified by enough states). Have all money printed and managed by the US Federal Government. www.freedomtofascism.com

35. . Abolish the CIA, which operates as the “President’s” private army, with an unknown budget, no oversight and accountability, responsible for countless assassinations, torture, overthrowing of governments, etc.

36. . Remove the Military J.R.O.T.C. from all high schools in the nation.

37. . End all government enforced curfew for youth and young adults (and adults too of course if they attempted that as well).

38. . Ban production of and destroy all existing nuclear weapons. End use of Depleted Uranium, White Phosphorus land mines and other "Generational Weapons" that violate international law by continuing to harm innocents after the use of the weapon. www.lasg.org

39. . End the trade embargo on Cuba: www.globalpolicy.org

40. . End sweatshop labor by American Multi-national corporations: www.nosweatshop.org

41. . Educate Public on overpopulation: Encourage/Advertise children adoption programs.

42. . FCC must enact/enforce cross-media ownership rules prohibiting one corporate owner from monopolizing print and electronic news in a defined population area. www.stopbigmedia.com

Recommended Books, Films and Websites

Books

• “Articles of Impeachment Against George W. Bush” by The Center For Constitutional Rights

• “The End of America” by Naomi Wolf

• “Crossing the Rubicon” by Michael Ruppert

• “What Would Jefferson Do?: A Return to Democracy” by Thom Hartmann

• “How the GOP Stole America's 2004 Election And Is Rigging 2008” by Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman

• “Fooled Again: How the Right Stole the 2004 Election & Why They’ll Steal the Next One Too” by Mark Crispin Miller

• "Addicted to War: Why the U.S. Can't Kick Militarism" by Joel Andreas

• "9/11 and American Empire: Intellectuals Speak Out" Edited by David Ray Griffin, Also www.STJ911.org, www.AE911truth.org, www.septembereleventh.org

• “Ending The War On Drugs: A Solution for America” by Dirk Chase Eldredge, Also www.drugpolicy.org

Documentaries

• “American Blackout” directed by Ian Inaba, 2006 GNN Productions (www.americanblackout.com)

• “Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election/ 2004 Campaign Edition”

• “Eternal Vigilance: The Fight To Save Our Election System” directed by David Earnhardt

• “9/11: The Myth and The Reality: David Ray Griffin”, directed by Ken Jenkins, (911TV.org)

• “9/11 Mysteries” (www.911weknow.com)

• “9/11 Press For Truth” (2006 DTT Documentaries/ 911PressForTruth.com)

• “Hijacking Catastrophe” Narrated by Julian Bond, (mef.tv)

• “The Hemp Revolution” Directed by Anthony Clarke

• “The Future of Food” (www.thefutureoffood.com)

• “America: Freedom to Fascism” Directed by Aaron Russo (www.freedomtofascism.com)

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Last updated 4/28/2008. Comments/Suggestions: fightfascism@vegemail.com