Progressive Groups Call for "Budget for
People, Peace, and Planet" ...2 of 3 >
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Dec. 10, 2013-The activists
called for "a budget for people, peace, and the planet" including
significant cuts in
military spending and increased spending on social programs.
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First to
speak was Mark Dunlea, executive director of the Hunger Action Network
of New York State, and a long time community organizer. |
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Dr. Jill Stein, the 2012 Green
Party presidential nominee, is now president of the Green Shadow
Cabinet. Alluding to the now waning prospect of U.S. military
involvement in Syria, Stein said, "We just stopped a crazy war; now
it's time to stop a crazy war budget." "The policiies of
austerity are not working, Stein stated, and she called for "an
emergency full employment program that will put 20 million people to
work."
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David Swanson, campaign
coordinator of RootsAction.org, is serving as the Green Shadow Cabinet
Secretary of Peace.
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Cheri Honkala, the 2012 Green
Party vice presidential nominee, is now vice president of the Green
Shadow Cabinet. |
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Elizabeth Ortiz of Philadelphia
said "prices are going up, up, up" and spoke of feeding her children
water with sugar.
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Glenn Davis of Philadelphia
declared "this government don't fight for the people." He noted
that 24 schools are closing in Philadelphia, "but we have money for
war, we have money for prisons."
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David Schwartzman, DC Statehood
Green candidate for shadow U.S. Senator, said funds should be shifted
to "human needs and climate security." He called for a
convergence of the climate security, peace, human rights, and
anti-imperialist movements.
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Mark Levin, member of
Progressive Democrats of America, said the Obama administration is
responsible for more bombings that the Bush administration.
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Participants then fielded
questions. Stein said 25- to 50-percent cuts in military spenting
"will make us a muh more safe and secure country." She saw "a
perfect storm for organizing that very broad coalition for people,
peace and the planet," and even claimed "we have already won in the
court of public opinion. Asked what specific actions people
should take, Honkala said people should get together with their
neighbors and discuss matters. She said people should talk "not
about charity, but about change." She advocated, for example,
reclaiming land and growing one's own food. "Feeding,
clothing and housing our children is not up for negotiation," she
stated.
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