Progressives Offer Solutions, Demand Action from Congress

Sept. 18, 2012 - PRLog -- Who: Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) and partner organizations  
What: Vigils demanding action on the Robin Hood Tax, Medicare for All, creating jobs, and promoting peace.  
Where: Nation-wide at Congressional Offices.  
When: Noon-time, Wednesday, September 19th.

Contacts: PDA National Director Tim Carpenter tim@pdamerica.org 413-320-2015    PDA Deputy Field Director Andrea Miller andrea@pdamerica.org 443-878-2071  

PDA National Director Tim Carpenter said, "With elections nearing, we're keeping the pressure on elected officials for Healthcare NOT Warfare, Taxing Wall Street, and Creating Jobs. PDA and our allies are pushing for progressive solutions, taking our message to the streets and to congressional offices nation-wide."  

Carpenter continued, "Financial speculation excesses crashed our economy. Rep. Keith Ellison's "Inclusive Prosperity Act" imposes a small tax on speculation aka a Robin Hood Tax. Our elected officials should embrace our Healthcare Not Warfare campaign. Osama bin Laden is dead. Our mission in Afghanistan is over, and we can't afford a war with Iran. Also, healthcare is a human right."  

Carpenter added, "The Brown Bag Lunch Vigil movement predates the tea party, and offers real solutions to our challenges--not slogan or short-sighted austerity approaches which have always failed. Our vigils put pressure on Congress to pass legislation to stop global warming, guarantee high quality healthcare and well-paid jobs for all, and quickly end the war in Afghanistan--progressive reforms that will help American families including:

   •   "The Robin Hood Tax," also known as the financial speculation tax (FST), would generate hundreds of billions of dollars. That money could provide funding for jobs to kick-start the economy and get America back on its feet. It would increase revenues, limit speculation, help preserve the social safety net, make our tax structure much fairer, empower the middle class and kick start our economy

   •   "Healthcare not Warfare" including joining the Out of Afghanistan Caucus, and supporting H.R. 780--Rep. Barbara Lee's bill which would require that funds for operations in Afghanistan shall be expended only for the safe and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. armed forces and Department of Defense contractor personnel from Afghanistan. Also, H.R. 4173--Rep. Lee's "Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons and Stop War Through Diplomacy Act." As well as, H.R. 676, Rep. John Conyers's bill establishing a non-profit universal single payer healthcare program, an improved "Medicare for all" program; and H.R. 1200, Rep. Jim McDermott's "American Health Security Act" establishing universal health care coverage by incorporating existing programs.

   •   Job creation through: H.R. 870 / 4277, Rep. Conyers' "21st Century Humphrey-Hawkins Full Employment and Training Act" which would establish the National Full Employment Trust Fund to create employment opportunities for the unemployed. And, H.R. 2914, Rep. Jan Schakowsky's "Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act" which would create an emergency jobs program that will fund 2,242,000 positions.

BBLV Partners include: National Nurses United (NNU), Democrats.com, U.S. Labor Against the War (USLAW), the New Priorities Network (NPN), Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare, and Healthcare Now!  

Progressive Democrats of America was founded in 2004 to reform the Democratic Party and restore its focus on first principles including social and economic justice, environmental protection, ending corporate rule, promoting fair and transparent elections, fair--not "free"--trade, and ending wars and occupations. PDA strives to rebuild the Democratic Party from the bottom up--from every congressional district to statewide party structures to the corridors of power in Washington, where we work arm in arm with the Congressional Progressive Caucus. In just seven years, PDA and its allies have shaken up the political status quo.  

PDA is a federal PAC and has endorsed several candidates for Congress in the upcoming 2012 elections including PDA National Board members seeking reelection: Representatives John Conyers, Raul Grijalva, Jim McGovern, Donna Edwards, and Barbara Lee. Other PDA Board members include Mimi Kennedy, Dr. Quentin Young, Tom Hayden, Jim Hightower, Michael Lighty, Thom Hartmann, Andy Shallal, Lila Garrett, Medea Benjamin, Jodie Evans, David Swanson, Steve Cobble, and Bill Fletcher.   For more information about PDA, please see: http://www.PDAmerica.org