Activists at the Iowa CCI annual convention. (photo: Brian Powers/The Des Moines Register)
25 July 17
can already hear some of my establishment Democrat friends saying that
the People’s Platform being pushed by progressive groups is
unachievable. Of course in this Congress they are right. So, what if the
Democrats were to push an agenda that is achievable in this Congress?
What would that look like? It would be a blank piece of paper, since the
GOP Congress will not let the Democratic Party get credit for any
legislation, even if it fits in with their right-wing agenda.
That is why the “Summer of Progress” campaign launched
by many progressives is so important. It’s time to create a platform
that defines the Democratic Party as the people’s party again. Of course
Improved Medicare for All will not even get a vote in Paul Ryan’s
house, but it’s time for all Democrats to co-sponsor the bill, and those
who don’t should prepare for a primary next year.
The People’s Platform is about more than healthcare. At https://summerforprogress.com/ you will find bills that progressive organizations are demanding House Democrats sign onto as co-sponsors. Those bills are:
- Medicare for All: H.R. 676 – Medicare For All Act
- Free College Tuition: H.R. 1880 – College for All Act of 2017
- Worker Rights: H.R.15 – Raise the Wage Act
- Women’s Rights: H.R.771 – Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance (EACH Woman) Act of 2017
- Voting Rights: H.R. 2840 – Automatic Voter Registration Act
- Environmental Justice: Climate Change Bill – Renewable Energy
- Criminal Justice and Immigrant Rights: H.R.3543 – Justice Is Not for Sale Act of 2017
- Taxing Wall Street: H.R. 1144 – Inclusive Prosperity Act
It is a bold agenda. It has to be, to breathe new life
into the Democratic Party. My establishment Democratic friends will say
that Hillary got 3 million more votes than Trump. They are right, but
it was also nearly 4 million votes less than Barack Obama received in
2008 and less than Obama got in 2012.
Last summer Democrats passed the most progressive
platform in its history. This summer it is time to bring that platform
to life and make it mean something.
The groups that have signed onto this campaign are:
Our Revolution, Democratic Socialists of America, Democracy for America,
Progressive Democrats of America, #AllofUs, Common Defense, National
Nurses United, Working Families Party, Millennials for Revolution,
Women’s March, Labor for Our Revolution, People for Bernie, Good Jobs
Nation, Young Progressives Demanding Action, Healthcare Now, Brand New
Congress, Justice Democrats, Food & Water Action, and Fight for 15.
Today, the groups will deliver over 100,000 signatures
in support of the People’s Platform to the Democratic National
Committee after a Capitol Hill press conference that will include
progressive members of Congress.
Throughout the rest of the summer, the coalition will
hold actions and lobby members of Congress to take positions on the
eight bills, culminating in a scorecard that will show which members of
Congress support the People’s Platform and which members might just need
a primary challenge in 2018 and beyond.
The statement on the campaign’s website reads:
Resisting the Trump administration and Republican Congressional agenda is only part of how we can move our country forward. Now is the time for Democrats to campaign on a bold agenda and fight to create an America that works for everyone. If Democrats want to win in 2018 and take our country back from the billionaire class and Republicans, they need to start by supporting legislation that speaks to the real concerns facing the American people. We’re fighting for a Congress that will put people before profits to create an America where everyone, regardless of the age, race, gender or economic status has access to health care, free college tuition, a livable planet, and a job that pays a living wage.
The Democratic Party Platform makes it clear that Democrats must fight for these issues as a party. We’re asking all House Democrats to commit to supporting our #People’s Platform bills by signing on as a co-sponsor when Congress comes back in session in September.
It is a tall order, but a necessary step in returning
the Democratic Party to the people. The goal is to one day be able to
say again that the Democratic Party puts people before profit.
Scott Galindez attended Syracuse University, where
he first became politically active. The writings of El Salvador's slain
archbishop Oscar Romero and the on-campus South Africa divestment
movement converted him from a Reagan supporter to an activist for Peace
and Justice. Over the years he has been influenced by the likes of
Philip Berrigan, William Thomas, Mitch Snyder, Don White, Lisa Fithian,
and Paul Wellstone. Scott met Marc Ash while organizing counterinaugural
events after George W. Bush's first stolen election. Scott moved to Des
Moines in 2015 to cover the Iowa Caucus.
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