This Is What Democracy Looks Like?
Today is December 15, 2007. It was on this day in 1791 that the Bill of Rights took effect, giving us such wonders as freedoms of speech, press, and religion, protection from cruel and unusual punishment, and States' rights. And while the Bush administration has invested massive cunning and energy into eroding and dismantling this and other foundational documents of our nation, there are woefully few presidential challengers who are addressing their repair and restoration. One is Dennis Kucinich (and the other is Ron Paul...have any other candidates of any party even mentioned the Constitution?)
And yet two days ago in Iowa, Dennis was excluded from participation in a Democratic Party debate, despite meeting all of their published criteria (such as what, i'm forced to wonder...being a Democratic candidate?). This is nothing new in the political games of recent years...Ron Paul, Mike Gravel, and others have also faced debate exclusion recently.
Is this what democracy looks like, where corporations and the media choose our candidates - and ultimately, our leaders - for us? Where a powerful few get to decide in advance which voices get to be heard? Not in MY democracy!
Take back your democracy and defend the Constitution:
1. sign the petition to both the Democratic and Republican Party Chairs, asking that they keep the debates open!
2. call the Des Moines Register (who sponsored the "debate") to express your thoughts on the matter: 1.800.247.5346 and 1.515.284.8502. We can also call the Iowa Public TV station that aired it at 1.800.532.1290.
3. donate to the Kucinich campaign TODAY as part of a planned mass donation to help his voice for Peace, Justice, and Democracy be heard and to show that public support can contend with corporate support.
[ donate here if the contribution page is having problems, or by calling 877-41-DENNIS (877-413-3664) ]
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