ENDORSE THE PLAN
The Democratic Convention
posted on August 27, 2008Yesterday, USAction/TrueMajority.org hosted a panel discussion on the Next New Deal at the Democratic convention. The conversation featured William McNary from USAction and Citizen Action Illinois, Alan Charney - the Program Director of USAction, Anna Greenberg - a nationally renowned pollster with GQR, and progressive champion Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN).
Alan kicked off the discussion with a bit of history on the original New Deal passed by FDR in the 1930’s and the impact it had on developing the middle class and a social safety net for all Americans. And, of course, there’s the matter of the right wing’s attempts to tear down all this progress for the past 30 years.
Anna Greenberg from GQR followed him with a fascinating insight into their findings from recent polling. Turns out the American people are not only accepting of a Next New Deal - they’re actually demanding this type of progressive vision from their elected officials.
Then it was Representative Ellison’s chance to discuss the legislative steps it will take to make the Next New Deal a reality (that’s the Congressman in the photo above). Rep. Ellison went straight to the heart of this issue. He pointed out that the Next New Deal is not merely a set of policies, its a comprehensive approach to building a progressive America.
“We need to talk more about how we are all in this together… Part of the Next New Deal is a frontal assault on the bigotries that divide us.”
Our President William McNary highlighted this same point when he discussed the importance of the plan.
“This is more than a set of policies. It is a political program that wraps these policies into a coherent and popular platform for progressives to run on and win.”
What followed was a stimulating conversation on a real progressive agenda for 2009. Rep. Ellison and Alan Charney spent a while discussing the need for real universal health care - passed in next two years. No surprise there. Looking out at the audience, there were a number of folks wearing “Health Care for America Now” stickers and the first audience question was about fighting back against insurance company attempts to stifle any health care reform. I’ll have more on this later - after today’s Health Care for All rally with over a dozen leading advocacy groups promoting meaningful action on health care in 2009.
The panel ended with William passionately making a case for ending the war in Iraq responsibly and investing in America’s future instead. The audience roared with approval at the thought of taking the $10 billion we’re spending monthly in Iraq and using that money to invest in education, health care, infrastructure and a real energy policy here at home.
Folks went home excited and wearing Next New Deal buttons as William and Alan went downstairs to have conversations with some local bloggers about the opportunity ahead of us. All in all- an exciting and energizing panel that really put the opporunities ahead in context and left everyone energized for 2009.
An interview with William is also available at Progress Illinois.
More endorsements for the plan
posted on August 13, 2008HILL BRIEFS: USACTION GETS SOME SUPPORT FOR NEW ‘NEW DEAL’ AGENDA
Congress Daily AM
Three senators and 11 House members Thursday endorsed a plan presented by progressive advocacy group USAction to address the country’s economic crisis.
The plan pinpointed quality affordable health care, a stronger public education system and energy independence as initiatives that could reverse recent economic trends. (more…)
Maryland officials support the Next New Deal
posted on August 12, 2008Van Hollen, Edwards, show support for ‘Invest in America’s Future’ plan
By Danny Reiter. PolitickerMD.com
U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Kensington) and U.S. Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Fort Washington) joined USAction, a non-for profit organization, and other members of Congress on Thursday, to show their support for the organization’s “Invest in America’s Future” proposal.
The plan is designed to target what USAction calls America’s “economic crisis,” with health care, energy and education being the center pieces. Marvin Silver, USAction’s campaign manager, described the plan as “long-term investments for our future.” (more…)
USACTION RELEASES PLAN TARGETING ECONOMIC CRISIS
posted on August 11, 2008WASHINGTON, D.C. – With support from leading House members and Senators, USAction today released Invest in America’s Future, a bold, new economic agenda for the next president and the 111th Congress.
Invest in America’s Future immediately garnered support from Sens. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Benjamin L. Cardin of Maryland and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan; and U.S. Reps. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, Russ Carnahan of Missouri, Danny Davis of Illinois, Raul Grijalva of Arizona, Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Barbara Lee of California, Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Nick Rahall of West Virginia, Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, Donna Edwards of Maryland and Lynn Woolsey of California.