After "Arab Spring," liberal groups say it's time for "American Autumn"
Anti-Wall Street demonstrators march in downtown Los Angeles Oct. 3, 2011.
/ AP PhotoA coalition of liberal organizations are planning to push for a liberal agenda and recruit progressive politicians at every level of government -- with or without President Obama.
Taking hold of the momentum generated by the "Occupy Wall Street" protests occurring across the country, the liberal leaders have drafted plans to implement what they call an "American Autumn" -- a realignment of American politics inspired by the pro-democracy protests in the Middle East dubbed the "Arab Spring."
Gathered in Washington for an annual progressive conference -- this year called the "Take Back the American Dream" conference - the leaders said that liberals this year have a new-found sense of energy and enthusiasm.
"People are moving, they are moving on their own," said Robert Borosage co-director of the Campaign for America's Future. "They understand the need for action."
At last year's conference, Borosage said, liberal activists were preoccupied with the disappointment they've felt with President Obama, as he fell short of meeting liberal expectations on major issues like economic and tax reform, and health care reform.
The movement, however, is no longer "yoked" to the president, he said.
"What's happened over the course of the last few months, people have decided, wherever [Obama] is, we're going to move," Borosage said, pointing to issues like tax reform, protecting programs like Social Security and making investments in areas like green jobs.
"If you listen to the spirit here, they're not so focused on what the president is doing," he continued. "That is liberating."
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They are focusing on three major goals, the first of which is implementing a "jobs, not cuts" agenda. They're starting with a week of events next week designed to draw attention to their demands. MoveOn.org emailed its supporters today, asking them to host local rallies between October 10 and October 16 as "part of a massive week of action to show the human impact of the economic crisis."
"We're organizing a huge round of speak-outs nationwide next week to deliver the simple message that we need 'Jobs Not Cuts' and to 'Make Wall Street Pay,'" the email read.
The plan will culminate with demonstrations on November 17 -- just ahead of the deadline for the so-called congressional "super committee" to come up with recommendations for finding at least $1.2 trillion in budget savings.
Justin Ruben of MoveOn.org said the November 17 events will be the "exclamation point on the cry for jobs."
"We're going to draw a line in the sand -- we will not accept yet another budget agreement that cuts everything except handouts to the rich," he said.
Borosage added the November 17 event is "going to be big, and it's going to be visible."
The organizers said they want to see action like those recommendations Mr. Obama has put forward in his $447 billion "American Jobs Act." At this point, Republicans are opposed to passing the bill in its entirety, but they've left the door open for compromise on some of its elements.
A large group of protesters affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement march across the Brooklyn Bridge, effectively shutting parts of it down, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 in New York. Police arrested dozens while trying to clear the road and reopen for traffic.
/ AP Photo/Will StevensThe second goal of the progressive movement is to engage one million local and state leaders and pursue 100 major state and local goals. For instance, in Ohio, liberals are trying to get a controversial anti-collective bargaining law off the books. The law was passed earlier this year, but unions gathered 1.3 million signatures to put a referendum of the law on this November's ballot -- that's one million more signatures than were needed.
Thirdly, they are recruiting and supporting progressive candidates up and down the ballot, from school board members to Senate candidates like liberal champion Elizabeth Warren in Massachusetts.
Arlene Holt Baker, executive vice president of the AFL-CIO, said her labor organization has "declared our political independence" from Democrats. She promised the AFL-CIO will campaign "vigorously" against any politician who doesn't back a progressive jobs agenda.
Labor members will "assess every election on a case-by-case basis," she said. "We are comfortable sitting out elections if need be."
The anger against political leaders is widespread and bipartisan, the liberal leaders said.
"We have zero faith... that Washington, D.C. and Wall Street by themselves can solve this problem," said Van Jones, Mr. Obama's former environmental adviser, referring to the economy. "Now it's our turn."
Jones said that progressives watched the "unopposed demolition of America's middle class" inspired by the Tea Party, adding that a well-organized movement can be effective regardless of its size. The Tea Party had its moment, he added, but "now the rest of us have something to join."
While liberal leaders say their movement is independent of the president, not all the activists at this week's conference are convinced. Conference attendee Zelda Bronstein said she saw the conference as "too much of a rally" without enough concrete action. She chided liberal leaders for cheering on the president and lambasted Mr. Obama's health care reforms as a "sell out" piece of legislation.
Jones and others insisted they're not cheerleaders for anyone.
"Some people love this president, some people are mad at him -- God bless 'em. What are we going to do?" Jones said.
The movement is "so much bigger than trying to rescue a presidency," he added.
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Hey I'll send you a dog! : )
People are always dumping their dogs near our house and they take up residence here! I can't stand to see them starve - so I feed them. I've got 2 now that need a home. One's a hound dog and the other looks like a Cur maybe.
Hi Ms Zann -- Their Rights end when they enfring on mine -- and I enforce mine -- wonder who paid for the professional printed sign that crack head is holding?
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See you notice it yourself - the inconsistencies. Where do you think the money comes from? They are NOT all welfare people! I stand RIGHT behind them and I've always had a job! I'd pay for that sign! : )
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I object to Freedom works and the Heritage foundation and all you Tea Party folks walking around with guns on your shoulders and your prejudiced movement look what those tea party congressmen did during raising the debt ceiling CRAZY look at De Mint look at Eric Cantor, Look at Mitch Mc Connell Obama hasn't been perfect but he is honest and is smarter than any one I mentioned above otherwise they wouldn't want him gone so much. Obama warned them he was going to take it to the American people and the people listened. Wall street has to change, we need to ask who are you invested with and get out. I said back in Nov there would be a revolution before this is over and we are finally going in that direction Congress reacts to things like this and hopefully they will. Obama tried and tried to compromise to no avail well I am glad he is taking this route because after all democracy is all the people not just cooperation's hedge fund gurues and the rest of us pay for everything while the rich pay nothing. This is what we are mad at and we will change America to be the country it should be all of us as one together not the rich against the poor and the middle income people
Kind of reminds me of the theory if you are a republican and you are young under 30 you're heartless and you don't care. However if you are a democrat after age 30 you are ignorant and uneducated.
Yes, that would have been fine to wear t-shirts.
But right now they are in violation of the law. And there is no honor in that!!
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No honor? If I had fought for "Freedom" in other countries and then came home to see "Freedom of Speech" being denied to the people in My OWN country - I would think that to stand up and NOT let that happen in my own country would be the most honorable thing to do!
After reading both posts one would come to the conclusion that these protestors were either on drugs or paid to be there.
Zann, I have no problem with defending free speech. We should all do that.
I do have a problem with them wearing the uniform of the Marine Corps for their own personal politics. There is no honor in that!
I dont want to shut anyone up. I actually love when liberals (especially the nut cases) come out in droves, because it just shows how completely off they are from the average American. And from our Founding principles. So, talk away!!
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You'll find "nut cases" on BOTH sides! You'll find nut cases in any crowd no matter what they are gathered for. But you might also find that the people that are there for a reasonable purpose outnumber the nutcases! Go ahead and dismiss these people as "nutcases, druggies, irrational people" - then ask yourself later if you should have ignored them!
Did our constitution say you had to be rich to influence the government? Did our constitution say a rich man's life was worth more than a poor man's life? Did our constitution say the poor must sacrifice in hard times while the rich just hide their money overseas?
I have looked at a bunch of video of protestors not obeying the direction of law enforcement, breaking things, throwing things, etc.
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This is what I was talking about yesterday. This protest, though could have a few with good intention, but many there are nothing more than a nuisance.
a soldiers job is to break things........
Interesting.