Before I go on to define "The Agenda," let me start by pointing out that the one thing that's going to prevent you from having a clear agenda and from being fully committed to it is exposure to the harmful effects of the corporate-owned media (i.e., all the mainstream media landscape in the U.S.).
If you regularly watch MSNBC, or God-forbid, CNN, FoxNews, ABC, CBS, NBC, and all their affiliates in cities across the country, then it is most likely you won't be able to develop an understanding of what a clear (progressive) agenda is, and especially, how to go about it in moving it forward.
The mainstream media in the U.S. is your enemy; it is extremely harmful. It's one of the two main ways corporatist-fascist interests exert dominance and control over you. The other is the control they have over the Democratic party establishment--and over the Republican party establishment.
Here's my agenda in order of importance...
(BTW, the only reason I see this agenda so clearly, and I'm committed t it so completely is because I protect myself from the harmful, mind-numbing, brainwashing effects of the U.S. corporate media--as much as that is possible).
- Global Warming (Climate Change): This is the most urgent problem facing humankind today! I will work relentlessly to help combat climate change.
- War Crimes Prosecutions: For the rest of my life, I will push for the full investigation of war crimes committed by people in position of power, no matter who they are or what political party they belong to. I'm particularly interested in the potential war crimes committed by the Bush Administration, since they have been well-documented.
- Financial Crimes: I'm fully committed (as a citizen) to do what I can to push for the proper investigation of financial terrorists committed by the Wall Street criminal cartel. I will push for this relentlessly, for the foreseeable future, for years and years, until it happens. I believe that there is enough evidence for the indictment of thousands of people, including the top leaders of financial institutions. I believe that if proper investigations are conducted, it should lead to several perp walks of well-dressed Wall Street scumbags, trying to cover their faces as they are led to the patrol car, in handcuffs. I want to see that. Everyday that doesn't happen is a reminder we live in a two-tiered legal system.
- End Government Corruption: I will work relentlessly, nonstop, as long as it takes (as a citizen) to expose the bribery taking place right now, whereas billionaires and their corporatist cartels are paying off the Democratic party establishment (as well as the Republican party establishment) to move their agenda forward. An agenda predicated on the subjugation of the population, and the predatory exploitation of the environment and natural resources. Working with other like-minded citizens, that exposure should lead to investigation of government corruption, the indictment of those doing the bribing, and of government officials taking the payments, and of an eventual cleanup of our government institutions and the restoration of democracy.
- Free Education: I will work relentlessly, for as long as it takes, as a citizen, to make sure every person in this country has access to free education from pre-school to advance degrees.
- Labor Unions: I will advocate and work relentlessly, for as long as it takes, to make sure that citizens understand the importance of collective bargaining, and to help spread unionization to every workplace in the country, starting with the predatory big-box retailers.
- Universal (single-payer) Health Care: I will advocate and work relentlessly, for as long as it takes, to make sure we as a country embrace health care as a basic human right, accessible to all, universal, and paid for by the government (our taxes).
- Military Industrial Complex: I will advocate and work relentlessly, for as long as it takes, to make sure there is a separation between our armed forces and war profiteers. I understand this may be a multigenerational effort, but I'm committed to doing part in my time, now.
- Separation of Church and State: I will work relentlessly, as a citizen, to prevent theocrats and religious fundamentalists from eroding one of the most important foundations of this country: Separation of Church and State.
- Human Rights: Nobody should ever be homeless, or hungry, or unemployed. I will promote the notion that those are human rights; that embracing that understanding is at the very essence of what it means to live in a decent society.
Strength lies in organization, in careful long-range planning and implementation, in consistency of action over an indefinite period of years, in the scale of financing available only through joint effort, and in the political power available only through united action and national organizations.
- Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Lewis F. Powell
I could add four or five more to the agenda, and probably make some additional clarifications, etc., but in the name of brevity, I'd say that these cover about 95% of what needs to be done.
As a concerned citizen, that's my agenda. That's what I'll focus on; that's what I'll write about; that's what I'll be organizing about; that's what I'll be strategizing, and brainstorming, and reaching out to others about.
We live in a nation where doctors destroy health; lawyers destroy justice; universities destroy knowledge; governments destroy freedom; the press destroys information; religion destroys morals; and our banks destroy the economy.
- Chris Hedges
I will not fall into the corporate media trap of watching MSNBC stirring up partisan tribalism, pitting citizens against each other, wasting energy on the latest outrage de jour, or the latest dastardly/stupid/mean act committed by this or that Republican, or this or that Tea Party member.
There are thousands hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.
- by Thoreau, Henry David.
I will keep my eyes on the roots of the corruption, and I will reach out to other concerned citizens and ask them to join me in that endeavor.
Each blue dot on the map below represents a member of a growing nation-wide network of social justice and anti-corruption activists committed to finding the best way forward. Join us in the effort!
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Ray Pensador |
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