11/10 News Roundup – Sanders Calls On DNC To Implement Findings of #UnityReformCommission, 100% Renewable More Feasible Than Ever & More
We Need a Truly Grassroots Democratic Party: A Call for DNC Chair Tom Perez To Implement Findings Of #UnityReformCommission by Bernie Sanders
The Establishment (political, economic and media) wants us to believe is that real and fundamental changes in our society are impossible.
No. We cannot guarantee health care to all as a right. No. We cannot revitalize the trade union movement, raise the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 an hour and provide pay equity for women. No. We cannot effectively compete in the global economy by making public colleges and universities tuition-free. No. We cannot lead the world in combatting climate change and transforming our energy system away from fossil fuels. No. We cannot reform our broken criminal justice system or finally achieve comprehensive immigration reform.
They want us to think that in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, a nation which has more income and wealth inequality than almost any nation on earth, the best that we can do is to accept tiny, incremental change.
I could not disagree more.
Right now, a Democratic National Committee Unity Reform Commission, comprised of people who supported our campaign, people who supported Secretary Clinton’s campaign, and people appointed by DNC Chair Tom Perez are working on a set of policies that will determine the future direction of the Democratic Party. In many ways, this Unity Commission will determine whether the Party goes forward in a dynamic and inclusive way, or whether it retains the failed status quo approach of recent years. It will determine whether the Party will have the grassroots energy to effectively take on Donald Trump, the Republican Party and their reactionary agenda or whether we remain in the minority.
In my view, this Commission must:
* Make the Democratic Party more democratic and the presidential contests more fair by dramatically reducing the number of superdelegates who participate in the nominating process. It is absurd that in the last presidential primary over 700 superdelegates (almost one-third of the delegates a candidate needed to win the nomination) had the power to ignore the will of the people who voted in the state primaries and caucuses.
* Make primaries more open by ending the absurdity of closed primary systems with antiquated, arbitrary and discriminatory voter registration laws. Republicans are the ones who make it harder for people to vote, not Democrats. At a time when more and more people consider themselves to be Independents our job is to bring people into the Democratic Party process, not exclude them. It is incredibly undemocratic that in some states voters must declare their party affiliation up to six months before the primary election.
* Make it easier for working people and students to participate in state caucuses. While there is much to be said for bringing people together face-to-face in a caucus to discuss why they support the candidate of their choice, not everybody is able to attend those caucuses at the time they are held. A process must be developed that gives everyone the right to cast a vote even if they are not physically able to attend a state caucus.
* Make the DNC’s budget and decision-making processes more open and transparent. If we are going to build a Party that relies on working people who are willing to give $5, $10 and $27 donations, they deserve to know where that money is going and how those decisions are made.
I look forward to following the progress of the Unity Reform Commission, and I urge Chairman Tom Perez and the entire Democratic National Committee to develop policies which move the Democratic Party forward in a very different direction — a direction that will lead us to national and statewide victories. It’s important that you do the same:
More news/video/etc. in the comments, including:
*Bernie Sanders, 10 Senate Democrats push USDA for ‘consumer-friendly’ GMO label
*‘Great Things Come Out of Discomfort’: Our Revolution’s Nina Turner
*Dreamers Take Over Senate Building to Demand New Protections
*Republicans Plan to Turn Puerto Rico Into a Theme Park for Fossil-Fuel Corporations
*Progressive Rep. Ro Khanna: Stop All Weapons Sales to Saudi Arabia Now
*Pipeline news, Water Protector Updates & More
Tips, Comments, Complaints, Etc!
With tough races over, Bernie Sanders renews call for changes at DNC
Democrats should not silence Brazile
Donna Brazile blasted as ‘sell out’ as book sales soar
So true. Perez is a lousy liar–an insult to weasels everywhere.
And LOL when Jimmy sez, not like Clinton, Clinton made you feel good when he lied to you—so true!!! Until you caught on, anyway.
This. People act like he should be shocked. Wtf do they think he sued the dnc multiple times for?
Keith Ellison, Bernie Sanders urge activists to stay politically involved
(I’ll try and find a video that is rotated correctly, but this is what I have at the moment)
Reminds me that it is my perspective that shapes how i see things. :O)
VT Democrats encouraged to ‘open the doors of the Democratic Party’
US Sen. Elizabeth Warren Walking Back DNC ‘Rigged’ Comment in New Interview
Disappointing.
Very. The kingmakers have spoken, no doubt.
Agreed. Headlines like these are why progressives can continue to question Warren’s reliability in the face of establishment hostility.
Other than Bernie, the only Dem I feel we can rely on all the time is Jeff Merkley, as some the articles below show.
US Sen. Elizabeth Warren says there was ‘some bias’ at DNC in 2016, but primary ‘was fair’
I haven’t read the book, but I’d like to know if the process was fair in AZ, NY, and NV (the reports of intimidating the chair at the state party meeting).
It appears the DNC put their thumb on the messaging. I can understand it even if I don’t agree with what they are doing in walking back their remarks.
Well basically
Very very extreme bias and about as fair as the gerrymandered districts in WI
Clinton fires back at Brazile ‘rigged’ claims: ‘That just wasn’t the case’
Clinton is a Liar! Seth Meyers should have followed up with a question about Brazile giving her knowledge of the debate questions in advance.
Yeah right
Jeff Merkley Warns Democrats Not To “Get Distracted” By DNC Fight
Dem Senator Brushes Aside Concerns About Sanders’ Age for 2020: ‘He’s Vibrant, He’s Capable, He’s Determined’
World War II vet, 93, scores upset NJ election win
https://www.msn.com/en-us/video/peopleandplaces/93-year-old-wwii-vet-elected-mayor-in-new-jersey/vi-BBELbQB?ocid=spartanntp
Ha!
Excellent!
This is the reason Mr. Pirello decided to run:
$1.1 million paid in Tinton Falls cop whistleblower suits
World War II vet, 93, scores upset NJ election win
Sorry, Merkley, this is one Dem that can’t just “unify” and make my votes Blue. I’ll vote for you, but even you have been playing both sides (prog and estab) here in Oregon politics.
If another candidate is once again “forced” down our throat by the Dem establishment i’ll vote 3rd party again
you’re not alone.
‘Great Things Come Out of Discomfort’: Our Revolution’s Nina Turner
Dems push clearer GMO labeling
The agriculture dept. recently ruled that vegetables grown hydroponically can be called organic. Whata crock!
Read further down about a pipelines destruction of organic faring land and the lack of consequences.
Despite ‘Misinformation’ Campaign by Telecom Industry, Municipal Broadband Wins in Colorado
Zogby: Sanders Would Defeat Trump by 11 Points in 2020
Trump Nominee Kathleen Hartnett White Ignores Climate Change In Her Own Backyard
Alaska Senator Denounced for ‘Deplorable’ Attempt to Force Drilling in Arctic Wildlife Refuge
Alaska Sen. Murkowski Introduces Bill to Drill Arctic Wildlife Refuge
awful….
Drilling, Drilling, Everywhere…