Texas Longhorns with newborn calf in Bluebonnets

Texas Longhorns with newborn calf in Bluebonnets

Please note I have a new phone number...

512-517-2708

Alan Maki

Alan Maki
Doing research at the LBJ Library in Austin, Texas

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

It's time to claim our Peace Dividend

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

We need to beat swords into plowshares.

A program for real change...

http://peaceandsocialjustice.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-progressive-program-for-real-change.html


What we need is a "21st Century Full Employment Act for Peace and Prosperity" which would make it a mandatory requirement that the president and Congress attain and maintain full employment.


"Voting is easy and marginally useful, but it is a poor substitute for democracy, which requires direct action by concerned citizens"

- Ben Franklin

Let's talk...

Let's talk...

Friday, November 22, 2013

Forum to be held in Duluth, Minnesota on January 11

TITLE:  PROGRESSIVE POLITICAL FORUM -- DULUTH -- SATURDAY, JANUARY 11TH!

MESSAGE:  


To put it bluntly  — we are in crisis.  

In crisis with our economy, our climate, our environment, our system of government.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We've tried for years and decades . . .  to change things for the better . . .  but the trends only worsen.  

We've organized — we've demonstrated— we've worked on campaigns . . and nothing really changes.

We've voted for Democrats who promised progressive legislation . . . and little changes.

We keep on blogging and emailing and petitioning online . . . mostly talking amongst ourselves . . .  and still nothing changes.

Except the endless wars continue; the corporate subsidies continue; the corporate domination and corruption of our
government continues;  the environmental ravaging by mining and oil companies continues; the wealth/income disparities continue;  ---  

— all the while, human devastation caused by poverty, joblessness, homeless and inadequate healthcare continues to increase; 
and the quality of life and financial security for most Americans deteriorates. 

What to do?  . . . What to do?  

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

That's the basic question that will be discussed at a broad-based, political forum . . . scheduled for 

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11TH . . . 
FIRST METHODIST (COPPER TOP) CHURCH, DULUTH
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.  

We need to put our heads together . . . to figure out how we can bring our concerns  -- the progressive message --
into the public square in a way that it can't be marginalized . . . or ignored.

We, on the progressive Left,  need "more political clout."  How to build that political clout is the basic agenda for the forum.

The title is:  "Building Progressive Political Power in Minnesota 
                        Around the Politics and Economics of — 
                                   • Full Employment / Living Wage / Minimum Wage
                                   • Health Care for All
                                   • Environmental Sanity: Climate Change; Species Protection"

The format will entail panel presentations with audience dialogue.  Input from audience members
will be crucial in order to build support for the recommendations and action plans that are formulated.

I invite . . .  encourage . . . you to attend.  Please mark you calendar to save the date.

I'll send you updates in December and provide the names of the panelists, once we have everyone confirmed.  

If you have ideas to contribute even at this stage of the planning, please email me -- soon!

And, please spread the word to folks on your email lists!  

In common struggle,

Vern Simula
Mt. Iron, Minnesota
Event Organizer for:Uniting People 
and the New Progressive Alliance