BUILDING TRADES BOYCOTT DEM CONVENTION

Union Building Trades Tell Democrats They'll Skip Convention in N. Carolina

-- Duke Energy CEO is the Chief Local Fundraiser & N.C. is Anti-Union State

Saturday 13 August 2011

by: Tim Funk and Kirsten Valle Pittman, McClatchy Newspapers | Report

Charlotte, N.C. - Casting North Carolina as an anti-Union bastion with "regressive policies aimed at diluting the power of workers," more than a dozen trade Unions affiliated with the national AFL-CIO have told the Democratic National Committee that they will sit out the 2012 convention in Charlotte, N.C.

Coming on the heels of some liberals' complaints that President Barack Obama is giving in to Republicans, the Unions' decision is another sign that key Democratic allies are unhappy with Obama and other Party leaders as they gear up for a difficult election season.It's also a signal that anything relating to Charlotte — from its besieged homewn Bank to its lack of unionized hotels — will face scrutiny as the city eases into the national spotlight.

Labor Unions have long played an integral role in Democratic conventions. And some big ones, including the National Education Association and the Service Employees International Union, still plan to be active participants when the Democrats come to Charlotte in 2012.

Local and state labor leaders also are still on board. The N.C. AFL-CIO helped lobby for Charlotte to be the convention site. On Friday, a leader of the Raleigh-based labor group called the national unions' decision understandable, but "shortsighted."

"I think the only way we're going to change things here is if people understand the struggles here. I'm encouraged that the Democratic Party wants to make investments here in the state," said MaryBe McMillian, secretary-treasurer of the N.C. AFL-CIO. "This convention is going to bring much-needed work for Union members and thousands of unemployed North Carolinians." With new Democratic convention rules barring donations from corporations, federal lobbyists and PACs — including those affiliated with labor Unions — the Charlotte gathering already was forecast to be less reliant than past conventions on big financial support from organized labor.

Still, the decision by the national Unions — representing 2.5 million workers in the building and construction trades — reflects disappointment from labor activists who Democrats count on to get Union members to the polls.

"There is broad frustration with the Party and all elected officials, broad frustration with the lack of a union agenda," Michael Monroe, chief of staff of the AFL-CIO's building trades division, told The Associated Press. "People are looking for outlets to express that frustration." The decision by the building trades came after a vote by leaders of the unit's 13 affiliate Unions, including the Laborers, Painters and Electrical Workers.

In a letter this week to Democratic Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Unions bemoaned the persistently high unemployment rate nationwide and the choice of Charlotte at a time when Union members "face assault after assault" in Washington and in some state capitals.

"We find it troubling that the Party so closely associated with basic human rights would choose a state with the lowest Unionization rate in the country," Mark Ayers, President of the building trades unit, wrote Rep. Wasserman, who is also a Congresswoman from Florida.

Those busy planning the Charlotte convention appeared unfazed — at least publicly — by the Unions' action.

"We were proud to have the support of local labor leaders when we chose Charlotte to host the 2012 Democratic National Convention, including the N.C. AFL-CIO," Democratic National Convention Committee CEO Steve Kerrigan said in a statement. "The DNCC will continue to work closely with local and national labor leaders as we prepare for the convention next September." That reaction was echoed by former Mecklenburg County Commissioner Dan Murrey, who now heads Charlotte's host committee.

"We've been having frequent discussions with the local labor Unions and the state representatives," he said. "They've been very helpful in the planning process and ... on getting the word out to people." Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who led Charlotte's campaign to get the convention, had no comment, deferring to Party officials, said a spokesman.

There was also no comment from Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers, who is leading the local fundraising campaign for the convention. "His work in this effort continues," said spokesman Tom Williams. "Any actual status on numbers will be via the election (fundraising) reports." Despite the strong language in the Unions' letter, at least one of the 13 says it is still considering whether to go.

"The Teamsters Union has not gone through our own internal decision process about the Democratic National Convention," said spokeswoman Leigh Strope.

Monroe of the AFL-CIO said the decision doesn't preclude individual members of the Unions from running as delegates, and some of the Unions apparently are still considering how to proceed.

But the angst could spread. The International Association of Machinists, which is not part of the building trades, said it also has decided to skip the convention after participating for decades.

"This is the Union that came up with the idea for Labor Day and this convention starts on Labor Day in a right-to-work state," said IAM spokesman Rick Sloan. "We see that as an affront to Working men and women across this country." Monroe said the Unions are being careful not to use the term "boycott" because they don't want to damage Obama's re-election prospects. He said money is also a major factor, when Unions are spending millions trying to beat back efforts by Republican lawmakers to diminish Union rights in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states.

"It would be disappointing to our members to see us doing business as usual, diverting resources that we know are scarce when we should be laser-like focused on getting elected officials focused on the Jobs agenda," Monroe said.

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka warned earlier this year that Unions would focus more of their energy and money shoring up local affiliates and less on boosting a single political Party.

The choice of North Carolina earlier this year provoked immediate outrage among labor leaders, who said it was another indication that Democrats take Union support for granted. But Democrats defended the decision, saying it's part of the Party's push to win crucial swing states in the South, including a state that Obama carried in 2008.

Organized labor and Democrats had a similar squabble over the choice of Denver for the 2008 convention, where the gathering was held at the non-union Pepsi Center and the city had few Unionized hotels. At one point, Teamsters President James Hoffa threatened to "blow up" the convention with picketing and protests if Union issues were not worked out.

But the two sides ultimately struck a deal to staff the Pepsi Center with union employees.

http://www.truth-out.org/twelve-unions-tell-democrats-theyll-boycott-convention-n-carolina/1313252475

It's time to question labor's ties to Democrats by IBT Local 237 President

By GREGORY FLOYD

President, Teamsters Local 237

www.local237.org

Posted: 7/30/11

Organized labor has many enemies in this country. Unfortunately, we also need to start worrying about our friends.

Vocal conservatives continue to increase their influence and hijack the debate about restoring our economy, putting the focus on cutting deficits and not creating jobs. Their attempt to shrink government and hurt the middle class is unfortunate, but not surprising. While Tea Party Republicans have awakened a newfound passion for fiscal conservatism, the party has always been the cloak the powerful use to conceal their self-interest.

Sadly, however, this belief is finding a toehold in the Democratic Party, the once strong ally of labor unions. While Democrats and unions have stood together and fought valiantly in pockets of the country -- most notably in Wisconsin -- there are too many Democratic politicians embracing the supposed popular support of conservative policies.

To be a true ally means more than lending support when times are good. In fact, it means just the opposite. You must be able to stand with your allies during the worst of times. The strength that you gain from each other's support is essential to mutual survival.

The Democratic Party, however, has been less than a stalwart ally.

Around the country and in our nation's capital, we are seeing more Democrats willing to place the burden of fixing the country on the backs of public workers and the middle class in general. Even more alarming, we have seen a willingness to attack some of our most important institutions, including pensions, Medicare and Social Security.

One thing that can be said for Republicans: they stand by and fight fiercely for their allies. Those allies are corporate interests, oil companies and the super rich, but Republicans stand up for them unabashedly, killing tax increases of even one penny. They don't play fair; they fight dirty; and they refuse to concede any ground. They are on the wrong side, but they know how to play the game.

Where is that same passion from our Democratic supporters? Many are all too willing to abandon our partnership in the name of "reform" or "compromise," instead of standing and holding the line. Compromise has its place, but we cannot buckle too easily. We must not surrender to the Nixon-era passivity of a silent majority. The cries of debt and smaller government are coming from a minority of the extremely rich and misguided middle class conservatives. Democrats and unions have always gained their power from numbers, and regardless of what political polls may say, we still have the numbers on our side.

Democrats and labor unions have a long history together, rooted in their common values that government protects the common man from abuses by the rich and powerful. As America was built, Democratic and union leaders stood shoulder to shoulder and fought for the rights and reforms that created a strong middle class. In New York and nationally, unions are the biggest supporters, both financially and politically, of the Democratic Party. We cannot afford to put that shared respect and experience in jeopardy, especially when we are both at such risk.

In response to this trend of rising conservatism, I'm afraid to say that labor leaders must start to be more selective with our choice of friends and allies. Already, some unions have begun to withhold support from the National Democratic Party over unhappiness with their stances on some major issues. Many battles, such as the dismantling of collective bargaining rights and pensions, are mostly being waged at the state level. For example, New York pension funds have regained almost all their value since the economic collapse, and yet some Democratic leaders want to make pension cuts their main objectives for next year. To balance the budget, wages and benefits for state workers were cut, but taxes on the rich were abandoned. It appears New York state has never had a more Republican agenda.

It would be a great shame if the strong alliance between labor unions and Democrats was broken. We must do what we have to do to survive, and we will never give up our efforts to help middle class people make a decent living and have some peace of mind in retirement. Democrats need to recommit themselves to these values to show their union supporters they have not forgotten about them. Otherwise, labor unions should be asking: Is there still room in the Democratic Party for us? If not, should we start our own party and run for office ourselves?

http://www.amsterdamnews.com/union_matters/teamsters/article_3a2b7512-b88c-11e0-955d-001cc4c002e0.html

Start a Labor Movement to take over the Democratic Party and run our Candidates.
Join Progressive Democratic Workers for (a new) America

By Joe Davidson

US Postal Service Bosses War On Postal Workers - Proposes cutting 120,000 jobs, pulling out of health-care plan

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/usps-proposes-cutting-120000-jobs-pulling-out-of-health-care-plan/2011/08/11/gIQAZxIM9I_story.html

In an attempt to stem its financial hemorrhaging, the U.S. Postal Service is seeking to reduce its workforce by 20 percent, including through layoffs now prohibited by union contracts. USPS also wants to withdraw its employees from the health and retirement plans that cover federal staffers and create its own benefit programs for postal employees.

This major restructuring of the Postal Service’s relationship with its workforce would need congressional approval and would face fierce opposition from postal unions. But if approved, eliminating contract provisions that prevent layoffs and quitting the federal employee health and retirement programs could have ramifications for workers across the government and throughout the national’s labor movement.

In a notice to employees informing them of its proposals, with the headline “Financial crisis calls for significant actions,” the Postal Service said “we will be insolvent next month due to significant declines in mail volume and retiree health benefit prefunding costs imposed by Congress.”

The Postal Service plan is described in two draft documents obtained by The Washington Post. A “Workforce Optimization” paper acknowledges “that asking Congress to eliminate the layoff protections in our collective bargaining agreements is an extraordinary request by the Postal Service, and we do not make this request lightly. However, exceptional circumstances require exceptional remedies.

“The Postal Service is facing dire economic challenges that threaten its very existence. . . . If the Postal Service was a private sector business, it would have filed for bankruptcy and utilized the reorganization process to restructure its labor agreements to reflect the new financial reality.”

The USPS says it needs to reduce its workforce by 120,000 career positions by 2015, in addition to the 100,000 it expects through regular attrition. Some of the 120,000 could come through buyouts and other programs, but a significant number likely would be the result of layoffs, if Congress allows the agency to circumvent union contracts.

“Unfortunately, the collective bargaining agreements between the Postal Service and our unionized employees contain layoff restrictions that make it impossible to reduce the size of our workforce by the amount required by 2015,” according to the postal document. “Therefore, a legislative change is needed to eliminate the layoff protections in our collective bargaining agreements.”

How Congress will respond to the postal proposals remains to be seen. Many Republicans, including those who have sponsored legislation that labor considers anti-union, may support the plan. Some Democrats probably would back union opposition. But the Postal Service’s critical financial situation could make Democrats have second thoughts.

Two members of Congress who have introduced separate postal reform bills were non-committal on the USPS plan.

A spokeswoman for Sen. Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.) said “he is particularly interested in learning whether these proposals would be fair to employees and effective in reducing the Postal Service’s costs.”

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said: “These new ideas from the Postal Service are worth exploring. Options for reform and cost savings that will protect taxpayers from paying for a bailout, now or in the future, need to be on the table.”

Although what Congress will do is unknown, the response of postal unions has been certain.

National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) President Fredric V. Rolando: “The issues of lay-off protection and health benefits are specifically covered in our contract. The Congress of the United States does not engage in contract negotiations with unions and we do not believe they are about to do so.”

American Postal Workers Union President Cliff Guffey said, “The APWU will vehemently oppose any attempt to destroy the collective bargaining rights of Postal employees or tamper with our recently-negotiated contract — whether by postal management or members of Congress.”

National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association President Don Cantriel: “We are absolutely opposed” to the layoff proposal. “We are opposed to pulling out of the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program. Our advisers are not advising us at all to even consider it.”

PHONE WORKERS STRIKE VERIZON

Verizon Refuses to Bargain Seriously
Verizon Proposals Would Take Workers Back Decades

Washington, D.C. -- More than 45,000 workers are on strike today at Verizon Communications. Bargaining continues. Since bargaining began on June 22, Verizon has refused to move from a long list of concession demands. As the contract expired, nearly 100 concessionary company proposals remained on the table.

As a result, CWA and IBEW have decided to take the unprecedented step of striking until Verizon stops its Wisconsin-style tactics and starts bargaining seriously.

Even at the 11th hour, as contracts were set to expire, Verizon continued to seek to strip away 50 years of collective bargaining gains for middle class workers and their families.

CWA and IBEW members are prepared to return to work when management demonstrates the willingness to begin bargaining seriously for a fair agreement. If not, CWA and IBEW members and allies will continue the fight.

Verizon financials

• 2011 annualized revenues are $108 billion and annualized net profits are $6 billion.
• Verizon Wireless just paid its parent company and Vodaphone a $10 billion dividend.
• Verizon’s top five executives received compensation of $258 million over the past four years.

The contract covers 45,000 members of CWA and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from New England to Virginia.

Read updates at www.cwa-union.org/verizon

Media Inquiries

Candice Johnson, CWA Communications, 202-434-1347 (office), 202-415-6566 (cell), cjohnson@cwa-union.org, and Robert Master, CWA District 1, 212-344-2515 (office), 917-657-6483 (cell), rmaster@cwa-union.org

PHONE WORKERS FIGHT 4 MEDICARE

CWA Activist Call Focuses on August Accountability Actions, Medicare

The fight to save Medicare is one of several key topics being discussed in tonight's virtual town hall meeting featuring House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.

Tonight, thousands of CWA activists will join another "virtual union meeting" and talk about actions planned in the home districts of members of Congress in August and September.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi will join the call, along with Justin Ruben, executive director of Move On; CWA President Larry Cohen and activists gearing up for community actions.

CWAers have events planned in 30 locations so far, with the Legislative Political Action Teams coordinating events, worksite leafleting and other actions. All CWA events and union events are being posted at http://www.we-r-1.org/.

Yesterday, CWAers joined Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Tx.) at a demonstration and news conference at the Houston Airport, where Lee called on Congress to return to Washington and pass the FAA Reauthorization, which has been blocked by representatives doing the bidding of Delta Air Lines. Delta wants to eliminate the democratic voting standard for union elections covering airline and transportation workers. (See related story.) "We must not allow the safety of passengers and the security of American jobs to be compromised for political gain," she said.

To join the call, dial 1-888-886-6603, extension 16979. And check out CWA's website, www.cwa-union.org, for updates on the August-September actions.

WHY A PEOPLES' CONGRESS?

WHY A PEOPLES' CONGRESS No. 1?

A recent Pew Poll revealed that the US Congress was respected by an all time low 6% of the American people. The other 94% distrusts all Bank-Wall St. corrupted Congress members.

The recent Blue Dog Democrat-GOP “Debt Limit” agreement eviscerates grants to 50 States' Medicare, SSI disabled allowances, child lunches, a dozen job creation bills, green infrastructure and road building programs, and thousands of FAA Safety investigators. No Media mentioned the loss of 1.8 million UNION JOBS. 100,000s Layoffs of more Union teachers. Critical first responders, Park care workers, and crucial childcare workers will all lose their jobs. The Blue Dogs and GOP knives even sliced away meager food stamps for former middle class Americans, now foreclosed and evicted. They are now part of the working poor, many even homeless. They are everywhere. They and their children wander our cold city streets, hungry.

The Citizen-Candidate of our Founding Constitution can no longer be Elected in America.

It takes $1 million to $5 million to run for Congress. Candidates need to raise $10,000 a day to win each House seat. Every 2 years. The Supreme Court' decision in “Citizens United” allows Monopolies to spend $5 or $500 million to support, or kill any progressive Congressional candidate. These Billionaires can afford to air 25 Swift Boat political ads, two weeks before an Election. What chance does Abigail Adams or Joe Average have today?

The Progressive Peoples' Congress No. 1 will be a lively discussion of the issues really hurting working families: Jobs, Wall Street control of President, Congress, Media News, no tax on the Luxury Class, Wall St corruption of both political parties.

The Event: Similar to a Senate Subcommittee meeting seen on C-SPAN every day.

Economists testify. Union Officers speak. Other Experts. Our volunterr 'Congress' members ask questions. Friendly ping pong.

The most crucial issues. Jobs, War, Peace, Banks repay, EFCA, Oil, Phone (tapping) monopolies

** However, even these issues will become BORING, without comic relief **

COMIC RELIEF “GOP Senators” in Tuxedos Shout Faux News talking points and bang on drums. They disrupt the Hearing. But the “Leader” of the Peoples Congress calls them “Out of Order”. Then the GOP, in black formal wear, suddenly fall silent.

The Peoples' Congressional Hearings continue with exciting Testimony from Union shop stewards, expert Professors, Teachers, progressive activists, fire fighters, maimed Vets in wheelchairs, Nurses from Iraq, Economists, Historians, et al.

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC WORKERS for AMERICA

http://www.pdwamerica.blogspot.com

SAVE FIFTEEN TRILLION DOLLARS

112^th Congress 2011-2012 Budget July 4^th, 2011

PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATIC WORKERS for AMERICA

"PROMISE to

AMERICA”

112^th Congress - Progressive Workers Budget

Promise to America

Hire America First

Gov't hires 4 million for green infrastructure, 4 million Veterans hospital Doctors and Nurses, 4 million Teachers, 4 million Fire and Safety, and 2 million Youth Bicycle Service Corps.

Longest unemployed hired first. Women/AA/Latino/Asian fair adjustments. Cost

$ 400B

All Federal purchases (DOD, DOE, DOL DHHS) must be 80% Made in America.

Bank 'Casino' Bailouts Must be Repaid (www.FCIC.gov)

Recapture Trillions Fed used to cover Wall St. gambling losses. Earn $ 16,000B

'Glass/Steagall Act'. Recover Wall St. tarpsters illegal bonuses. Earn $ 150B

Big Monopolies Too Big for Democracy

Break up each Wall St. 'shadow bank' / swaps-casino into 12 clean, lending banks.

Freeze 10-15 million deed-less, robo-signed, and fraudulent Home Foreclosures.

• Move Families back into their Homes. Workout fresh, affordable loan terms.

Pres. Reagan jailed 1000 S&L Execs. Silent DOJ risks a deeper 2nd Wall St. Crash

Penny fee on swaps, derivatives, mega opaque Wall St fantasies. Earn $ 250B

Investigate speculation/price fixing/inside trades by Oil/Bank traders. Earn $ 50B

25% Severance fee for Oil/Gas Corps. Repeal $21 Billion oil subsidies. Earn $ 121B

Federal Reserve Reform and Agency Trimming
Dissolve the Fed into Treasury. Hire Reich, Stiglitz, Ribini, Krugman, R.D. Woolf.

Defund World Bank, IMF, WTO, US AID, NED, OTI, IRI, NDI et al. Save $ 100B

Defund all Foreign Aid until the current financial crisis subsides. Save $ 100B

Close FEMA camps. Cut Homeland Security budget 75%. Save $ Billions

Emergency Labor Reform

Pass E.F.C.A. DOL helps workers organize Unions in new green industries.

DOL assists Patriotic efforts to halt off-shoring factories by filing for Eminent Domain.

DOL assists Patriotic American workers' right to collectively bargain as Unions.

Government and Corp Spying on Americans Must Stop

Repeal un-Constitutional “Patriot” Act. End phone spying; net/email snooping.

Reduce Security clearances, declassify documents 75%. DOJ: Prosecute FOX USA hacking.

Nuclear Weapons and Feeder Plants

Close 63 Nuclear 'water-boiler' plants on earthquake fault lines, cities, and rivers.

Repeal Modernization of Nuclear Weapons/Delivery Systems. Save$ 208B

Cancel Launch on Warning status of 2500 US Nuclear missiles aimed at Russia / China.

Congress Creates 50 Special State Banks (eg North Dakota)

Deficit crises crippling our States can be Assets of 50 new State Banks (viz. Ellen Brown).

DOJ Breaks Up Monopoly TV, Internet and Cell MegaCorps

Anti-trust vs. strangle hold of illegal Monopolies. Reverse AT&T & NBC/Comcast mergers.

Launch FM, local access / control TV in 100,000 towns and villages across America.

Reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, which worked effectively for over half a century.

Raffle unused wavebands to Youth/Senior Co-operatives. Program news / music.

Secure the Peace, Not Permanent War Machine

Exit 800 Foreign bases, 150 CIA rendition sites. Prosecute torturers. Save $200B

Exit Iraq/Afghan/Pakistan/Yemen/Libyan blood-soaked quicksand. Save $200B

Cut DOD Budget. 'Exceeds all world's defense budgets combined.' Save $150B

Presidents Lincoln and FDR/Truman fines for obscene War profits. Earn $ 25B

Collect fines from 200 defense Corps found guilty by DOD of fraud. Earn $ 10B

Breakup 5 Defense monopolies. Transform weapons industry into not-for-profit.

Emergency Foreign Trade Reform

Repeal NAFTA, Cafta plans to off-shore jobs. Halt all Corp subsidies. Save $ 100B

25% Tariff on off-shoring Corps who import products back to USA. Earn $ 50B

Close EX-IM Bank. Recover tax funds to export jobs and factories. Save $ 100B

Lower Small Business & Personal Income Taxes
Reduce personal Income tax rate under $1 million to 22%. Cost ($) Billions

Lower small business tax under $2 million Profit to 22% rate. Cost ($) Billions

Close International Corporate Tax havens and loop holes. Earn $ 100B

Pres. Nixon's Wartime personal Income rate (74%) over $2 million. Earn $ 85B

Capital Gains same as Income tax. Remove cap on SS Payroll tax. Earn $ Billions

Double Social Sec./Medicare to maimed hero Vets, Seniors, disabled. Cost $ 50B

Political Posts Available to Average Americans

Public financing for Congressional campaigns. Contests limited to only 30 Days. Outlaw Lobbying (Tax Code: Eliminate Tax Deduction for Corporate Lobbying)

Forbid foreign, Corp, or Union donations to corrupt Politicians. Save $ Billions

Supreme Court Reform 9-11

Expand an over-worked and increasingly activist Supreme Court to eleven Justices.

Comprehensive 'New Americans' Reform

Full Citizenship after certified period of bona fide work-study-family status.

Pass D.R.E.A.M. Act for serious students/new Citizens brought to US as children.

Close ICE / FEMA 'prison' camps. Release all New Americans, or grant bail.

Direct PC Vote for National Referendums, Local Initiatives

Secure Email Voting for National Referendums, and people-first, local Initiatives.

Black Farmers Justice

Deliver $1.5 Billion to tens of thousands of African-American Farmers discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over two decades. H.R. 4783

PTA 2-3 wf

Native American, First Nation Lands

Delivery on Court Ordered payment of $3.5 Billion for royalties on billions of barrels of oil and natural gas extracted from Native American, First Nation Lands. H.R. 4783

Health Emergencies and Current Crises

Emergency Moratorium on 500 Hydraulic Fracturing wells poisoning water in 32 States.

Emergency Moratorium on Keystone's dirty tar sands trans-America Pipeline (leaks).

FDA investigates unsanitary and cruel animal / fowl treatment at 1000s of Factory farms.

Non-Intervention, Respect for Sovereignty

US and DOD apologize to the People of Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Libya.

US provides Iraq adequate Reconstruction Funds for safe water / 24 hour electricity.

US finances radiation clean-up of fragments of depleted Uranium (Iraq/Afghanistan).

Freedom of the Press – Protection of Whistleblowers

US Congressional Medal of Courage award to Free Press hero Julian Assange

and WikiLeaks. Cessation of all DOD and DOJ investigations of WikiLeaks.

DOJ launches investigation of the psychological torture by Quantico Marine Brig Commanders of American-British dual citizen Bradley Manning. Manning has not been found guilty of any crime. His degrading confinement violated habeas corpus, US Code of Military Justice, the Geneva Laws, as well as our own Laws Against Torture.

Fresh DOJ Investigation of V.P. Cheney's Role in 9-11

DOJ investigation of VP Dick Cheney's role as Senior Politician in charge of five NORAD Exercises. Cheney's exercises removed crucial fighter plane defense from New York, New England, and Washington DC on Sept. 10^th and Sept. 11^th, 2001.

Repeal Un-Constitutional DOMA

Repeal Defense of Marriage Act. DOJ must vigorously enforce Equal Rights for all LGBT.

New US Embassy

US recognizes Palestine as an independent Nation State. US builds Embassy in Palestine.

US helps Palestinians export their crafts, and products from Gaza. US accelerates imports of emergency food, medical, building materials, and all business products into Gaza.

Saluting The Women's Caucus in The U.S. Congress

The Family and Medical Leave Act, The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA),

The Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science,

Engineering, and Technological Development Act are proud and seminal

achievements of the Women's Issues Caucus in the United States Congress.

"PromiseToAmerica" by William Floyd

Progressive Democratic Workers for America