CFAR Candidates: The Real Deal

I've had several people ask me why I do these videos promoting the candidate contract electoral strategy.  I think it's self-evident:  I like standing outside and talking to a bunch of trees.  Here's my latest effort.  The text of the presentation follows.

Pathetic!  Yes . . . PATHETIC!

The state of our democracy.  The state of our politics.
 

There's no other word for it.

Our politicians?  I'm not an expert on American history but at first glance I think it's safe to say our current batch of ruling class toadies are among the most mediocre, uncreative, lackluster, uninspiring, duplicitous, hypocritical, ignorant, unprincipled, too often shamelessly malevolent bottom dwellers, ever to appear on our political stage.

The entire Republican Party is evidence enough on that side of the aisle.  Comparing any of them with the real public servants in their rich tradition makes guys like Pence, Ryan, and Trump look like a sick joke.  Ever heard of Abraham Lincoln?

Now look at the latest public relations fiasco by the Democratic Party, a desperate attempt to reverse their flagging fortunes; their catastrophic loss of voter confidence; their loss of the House and Senate, their loss of the majority of state legislatures, and their loss of the majority of governor seats; and to repair their self-inflicted but warranted reputation as the left wing of the Republican Party.

Plagiarizing the Democratic Party of old, thus making a mockery of FDR's historical and widely admired New Deal, they've just assembled a new platter of mildewy cliches, moldy slogans, stale platitudes and empty promises, a decomposing menu of already past-their-expiration-date overtures to their former base -- once-loyal working and middle class voters -- under the banner of A Better Deal.



Better than what?  The Art of the Deal of Trump?  Or the Raw Deal of the Republicans.

They're really setting their sights high, eh?  "We're the better bottom dwellers!"

That anyone pays attention to these master prevaricators is a miracle in its own right.  We must all be masochists or pathologically gullible.

But don't fret.

There's hope in the midst of this mass of toxic sludge clogging our electoral machinery!
Along comes the grass-roots voter-based initiative called CFAR.

CFAR stands for Contract For American Renewal.  But it's more than a contract, much much more than a legal device.  It's a paradigm-shifting, game-changing way to introduce honesty, integrity, transparency, and accountability, into our electoral process, putting people -- the vast majority of U.S. citizens -- back in the driver's seat.  It's government by the people.  It's real representative democracy.

The CFAR is the new standard by which we judge whether a candidate is worthy for office.

The CFAR includes only initiatives that are supported by a minimum of 62% of citizens. Most are in the 75-80% range. The CFAR is a citizens-based, populist strategy.

The CFAR requires in writing from any candidate who signs it that they will faithfully serve those who vote them into office.  No questions asked.  They either do the job or they find themselves back on the street.  Just read the contract.  It's clear and unambiguous.

The CFAR takes the guesswork out of voting.  Every initiative in the CFAR is supported by huge majorities.  If a candidate signs it, they are clearly on the side of the people.  They are guaranteeing in writing that they will be doing the bidding of their constituents from the day they arrive in Washington DC.  Thus they deserve our support and our votes.

The CFAR as a populist electoral strategy targets neoliberal, establishment candidates for defeat.  And more importantly, it decisively positions "people's candidates" -- progressive-populists -- to win, arming them with an ironclad strategic weapon to take on and crush their corrupt, pay-for-play opponents.

The CFAR exposes the phonies and frauds.  Voters are tired of shallow campaign rhetoric, vaporous sound bites, empty campaign promises.  If a candidate refuses to sign the CFAR, it means two things:  1) He or she is not on the side of the people.  2) This candidate does not deserve to get elected.  Voters will run from non-CFAR candidates like they're infected with the plague.

 

Therefore, Citizens Against Plutocracy and other activist groups are organizing nationally around the CFAR strategy, targeting the coming November 2018 election.  We want this election to mean something.  We want the voice of the people, now silenced by big money and autocratic control of the media and both major parties, to be heard and be instrumental in finally electing a Congress that works for the everyday citizen, not just the ruling elite, corporate kleptocrats, Wall Street, the big banks, and transnational corporations.

Forget about the Better Deal and the Raw Deal.

You want a Congress that works for the people?  You want public servants that serve the public?  You want a Congress which is not in the pockets of fat cat campaign donors, not lapdogs of the ruling class, not doormats of the military-industrial-security complex?

Then only vote for a candidate who has signed the CFAR.

CFAR candidates are the REAL DEAL!



[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . http://jdrachel.com ]



CFAR Candidates: The Real Deal

Megaphonics

 

A lot of people want me to shut up.

They find me annoying, grating, shrill.

Some have even claimed I hate America.

I really have to wonder where these people are coming from.

I'm not claiming any heroics here, certainly not comparing myself to those courageous individuals who spoke out against Nazism or the persecutions in the Soviet Union under Stalin, in Cuba under Batista, in Iran under the Shah, on and on — sadly too many to enumerate here.

But I am saying I share with them a duty, as we all do.  I share with them as do all citizens of any country, to speak out against injustice, to criticize the country to which they belong.  We must all speak out and geography is not pertinent.  Whether one lives inside a country or has by circumstance or choice lives outside, oppression is still oppression.  Tyranny is still tyranny.  Villainy and genocide are still villainy and genocide.

Speaking out to praise or to criticize one's own country is not just an option, it is a duty.  And the volume of that voice is not to be arbitrarily turned down or turned off.

Each of us is identified with a nation.  We both have the rights and privileges that are conferred by citizenship, and likewise have a stake in what that nation does in our name, hence a responsibility not just to be aware of those activities but to be discerning and laudatory or critical when necessary.

So I won't shut up.

On the other hand, there is a difference between caustic damnation and constructive criticism.

I see a lot of the former, little of the latter.

Frankly, it’s getting tedious.

There are a lot of people — apparently some 64% according to the polls — who object to Trump as president and what he represents.

This makes entire sense.  He is objectionable at best, foul and pestilent at worst.

But we have to recognize, it’s not just the man we are at loggerheads with here.  “What he represents” has been in the making for a long time.  Over forty years at least, many would argue much longer.  Maybe it was set in motion from the very beginning of our country, as America was founded by slave-holding elitists who were to one degree or another fearful of mob rule.  'Mob rule' is of course just an ugly euphemism for government by the people — all of the people.

A nation run by an elite few is not a democracy by any stretch.  It is the exact opposite of a democracy.  That those elite few then guilefully brainwash the "mob" into thinking they actually have some say in the decisions which determine the direction of the nation and the future is an insult — a vile and patronizing form of manipulation.

Trump and his crew will attempt to rule by fiat.  As corporate businessmen this is all they know.  They will play the "enlightened patriarch" card the whole way.  Some will go along.  Most — at least 64% — will not and have every right to raise hell.

Recognize that raising hell is but one approach.

How about this?  What if we try raising heaven?

Ha ha ha!  Funny play on words, eh?

Not really. Here’s what it boils down to . . .

2017 and 2018 will present historical opportunities.  We will be presented dramatically and starkly contrasting visions for the future.  People who have never been interested in "politics" will start seriously paying attention, because everything that America allegedly stands for, its most noble and worthy values and dreams for all its citizens, will be under assault.

And it will then come down to this . . .

Certainly we know WHAT WE'RE AGAINST as enlightened progressives.

But more crucially we have to know WHAT WE'RE FOR as enlightened progressives.

It's time to be decisive, clear, engaging, positive, thorough, meticulous, captivating.

And truly visionary!

Because within the next two years, American citizens will be hungry as never before for a truly genuine, positive and sweeping renewal.

With no irony here's my take:  There is enormous opportunity which will spring out of the dark days ahead.  I hope we’re ready.  Alert, informed progressives know what's going on.  The vast majority of the American public does not. They are distracted and misinformed, numb and preoccupied with daily life.  They are not to be vilified for this.  They are victims of a highly organized, well-orchestrated assault on the public consciousness, maybe more accurately, an inducement of a hypnotic public unconsciousness.  Trump is just the most effective recent embodiment of that assault.
Certainly there are some big bumps in the road coming soon.  The crash of the economy is inevitable, accelerated by Trump's extremely inept and uninformed administration.  The neocons will get their war because some diseases are beyond any medical intervention.

When war and bankruptcy destroys any hope for improvement of living and working conditions under the orange autocrat, there will be at least 160 million new very angry Americans — many who voted for Trump — asking the questions we progressives have been asking ad nauseam for many years.

It will all come to a crescendo.  Progressives MUST BE READY with an agenda presented in the language of everyday Americans -- not politico-jargon-speak -- but BIG, CLEAR messaging which presents a POSITIVE PROGRESSIVE VISION for America. 

We can do it.  But we have to start now!

When it all starts to crumble, it'll be too late to be brainstorming and formulating plans.




[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . http//jdrachel.com ]

Megaphonics

The BS Challenge

 

While I disagree with Bernie Sanders on a host of important policy issues, I will certainly give credit where it's due.

The man admirably has raised the awareness of the American public on critical challenges to the American way of life -- like income inequality, corporate malfeasance, the plundering of the working and middle classes by Wall Street and the 1%, the corruption of our democracy by the Citizens United decision and unprecedented influx of money into electoral politics.

There is now real talk of major reform.  The word "revolution" is being floated.

Perhaps more laudably, Sanders has said that the movement fueled by his presidential campaign must go on with or without him.  If he is drummed out of the election by the Machiavellian apparatus of the Democratic Party, or if he loses to Trump or Cruz or which ever imbecile the Republicans nominate, we shouldn't give up. We must fight on for what he stands for and for the vision of America he has presented.

Bravo!  This is excellent advice.

But let me make a point I've made repeatedly to a deafening silence.  Even if Bernie does win, we must fight for what he stands for and the vision of America he has presented, and this fight goes way beyond just getting him into the White House.

Translation:  If Obama with majorities of both houses of Congress on his side couldn't get anything "revolutionary" done, with the current complexion of the House and Senate what chance does a Sanders presidency have?  (I really don't want to get into why Obama failed. I have my own rather extreme take on that.  It's not relevant.  My point is still valid.)

Let me also offer my solution.

Let me offer it as a challenge to all of you Bernie supporters, because I know you are way above average intelligence, well-read and versed in history, informed and armed with a deeper understanding of the realities of our political system.

If you folks are really feeling the Bern, then you need to build on your enthusiasm and support for Bernie and take it to a whole new level.  This means transforming Congress into something allied with and totally supportive of the "Bernie Sanders revolution".

This accords with his entire vision for remaking America, is true to the selfless spirit of his campaign, and assures genuine progress -- WITH OR WITHOUT HIM!

If he gets elected, he gets a Congress he can work with.

If he doesn't get elected, the thrust and wisdom of his vision continues, promoted by those leading the charge in our legislative bodies.

So here's the plan.

District by district, state by state, we give an ultimatum to every single candidate running for Congress in the 2016 election.  Every single candidate for the House and Senate.

EITHER YOU'RE WITH BERNIE OR YOU'RE AGAINST HIM.

If you're with Bernie, you get our votes.

If you're against Bernie, you don't.

And if you're against Bernie, we'll find someone else -- independent, Green Party, greeter at Walmart, homeless guy on a freeway ramp.

Because ANYONE WOULD BE BETTER THAN YOU!

Am I being clear here?

Now we get to the nuts-and-bolts.  And I sincerely apologize for this article being so long. But I can't fashion this into a short and snappy meme.

I've been pushing this idea for four years.  It has not caught on.  I accept responsibility.  Perhaps my writing is deficient.  The reason for my prior failure is not important.

As just explained above, we set up a showdown -- a line in the sand.  We confront every candidate in the 2016 federal election with a simple, easily-grasped choice. 

"You're either with us or against us."

How do we do that?

We give them a contract to sign.

Either they sign it and get our vote.

Or they don't sign it and they don't get our vote.

This is how you reform the Democratic Party or get the scum out of the running!

Here's the contract.

---

(Note: This is written for a candidate campaigning for the House of Representatives.  Obviously, it can easily be reconfigured for a Senatorial candidate.)

I, [Name of Candidate], if elected to a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, hereby commit to sponsor and vote in favor of legislation for all of the following:

• Raising the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour.
• Reforming tax regulations to stop corporations from shifting their profits and jobs overseas to avoid paying U.S. income taxes.
• Establishing a progressive estate tax on the top 0.3 percent of Americans who inherit more than $3.5 million.
• Enacting a transaction tax on Wall Street speculative trading.
• Investing $1 trillion over five years towards rebuilding our crumbling roads, bridges, railways, airports, public transit systems, ports, dams, wastewater plants, and other infrastructure needs.
• Creating 1 million jobs for disadvantaged young Americans by investing $5.5 billion in a youth jobs program.
• Making tuition free at public colleges and universities throughout America.
• Expanding Social Security by lifting the cap on taxable income above $250,000.
• Increase benefits by at least 10% for all eligible recipients.
• Establishing healthcare as a right of citizenship by enacting a Medicare for all single-payer healthcare system.
• Requiring employers to provide at least 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave; two weeks of paid vacation; and 7 days of paid sick days.
• Enacting a universal childcare and prekindergarten program.
• Making it easier for workers to join unions by fighting for the Employee Free Choice Act.
• Breaking up huge financial institutions so that they are no longer too big to fail.

I will not resist, discourage, or in any manner put up an impediment to, and in fact will publicly and on the floor of the House of Representatives actively promote, any and all legislation in support of these measures. If no other legislator comes forth to propose such individual pieces of legislation, I will create and introduce by my own initiative, within 90 days of taking office, legislative acts for all of the foregoing, for consideration by Congress.

I further understand and fully agree to the following: If I violate the above-stated terms of this agreement, I will tender on the 91st day after taking the oath of office for my legislative seat, my full and unqualified resignation from this elected position. Moreover, within one year of my resignation, I will refund all contributions made by individual donors in support of my candidacy for this office.

This entire agreement constitutes a legally binding contract between myself and that class of citizens who will be my constituents, should I win the upcoming election. In the event that I fail to perform the above-required actions, redress may be sought by those same citizens in the form of a class-action suit in a civil court of law, and I will be liable for a minimum of $10,000,000 damages for breach of contract. If I fail to resign from office due to my failure to fulfill the other requirements of this contract or similar contracts, I may be liable for an additional class-action settlement for an amount not less than $50,000,000. No portion of these specified settlements may be paid from campaign donations, PACs or SuperPACs.

I sign this contract voluntarily and with full appreciation of my responsibility to the citizens of the [Name of Congressional District] should they choose me as their elected representative. I accept the terms of this document as legally binding, and with a thorough and lucid understanding of its requirements and consequences.

Signed: ________________

Date: _________________

---

Let me tell you why this will work.

First, we'll know who's serious about reform and who's not.  Talk is cheap.  If a candidate signs the contract, we'll know he or she is serious.  Because . . .

Second, if they've signed on the dotted line, when they report for work in Washington DC, they will have to deliver on everything they agreed to in writing in the contract.

Not just because it's a contract.  But because it would be political suicide if they didn't.

I won't elaborate.  You're smart people.  Think about it.

In closing, I find it inspiring and heartening that Mr. Sanders is doing what he's doing.

I hope that his supporters will have the energy and foresight to build on the awakening that seems to be occurring in this country.  I hope they will dedicate themselves to putting in place elected representatives who truly represent, who are serious about turning this country around, advancing an America which serves all of us, not just a privileged few.

Yes, I put this forth as a challenge.

It's really quite simple . . .

Cheer leading and hero-worship are the easy part.

Revolution is hard work.

Bernie got the ball rolling.

Are you prepared to do some heavy-lifting?

Or is Chris Hedges right? . . .

Is this just more BS along the historical road to disintegration and collapse?



[ This originated at the author's personal website . . . http://jdrachel.com ]





The BS Challenge

Mission Control: We Have A Problem

 

On balance, I see Bernie Sanders' running for president as a positive thing. I wrote this back in August 2011, voicing my support for his candidacy long before the Bernie Sanders For President bandwagon left the barn last month.

Mr. Sanders has some troubling ideas in terms of foreign policy.

But contrasted with a dynastic rematch between the neocon shrew Hillary and the neocon opportunist Jeb, there is no contest.

Go Bernie!

Nonetheless, I feel required to point out something, which in the exhilaration of his early campaigning, no one has addressed.

What if Bernie wins?

If you think we have dysfunctional government now, just try to imagine what would be the result of such a historical "upset" in the duopoly game plan. The center and center-right Democrats __ there are only a handful of genuinely progressive Democrats __ would team with the center-right and right-right Republicans, their shared control of electoral politics threatened by the anomalous election of a truly progressive president. The only legislation which would pass would be bipartisan anti-progressive veto-proof bills.

Of course, with their long-established common ground __ an agenda of defeating anything which the corporate plutocracy disapproves of __ and even more importantly their newly discovered common objective __ totally destroying the Bernie Sanders presidency itself __ mustering 67 votes in the Senate and 300 votes in the House would be a piece of cake.

Bear in mind that on the off-chance he wins the Democratic nomination, he will only be window-dressing for the Dems, a desperate attempt at pulling in the populist vote, which they lost by abandoning the middle and working classes. Any success at the polls by these turncoats will translate into even more aggressive promotion of the vile corporatist agenda they have pursued for decades now, as the Democratic Party steadily morphed into the left wing of the Republican Party.
The simple point is this:  While a Bernie Sanders presidency would inject some hope into our dismal electoral politics and floundering democracy, his election without a supportive Congress would create gridlock and dysfunction of biblical proportions. President Sanders would be demonized, vilified, emasculated, meaning the prospects for the advancement of a progressive agenda, serving the needs of all Americans, not just the ultra-wealthy, would be set back for decades.

There is an obvious remedy to this predictable mega-gridlock.

Blocs of at minimum 34 senators and 151 representatives with an unyielding commitment to Mr. Sanders' 12-point plan for restoring the economy MUST be put in place via the 2016 election. Either we replace many of the current corporate toadies holding elected office, or the promise of a Bernie Sanders presidency is doomed to utter failure.


 

I'll get right to the point.

I have a plan for accomplishing that and __ if progressive activists can actually get it together __ indeed do much much more.

It's contained in my new book, over 900 copies of which have already been sent to independent and Green Party candidates, NPOs, and think tanks across the nation.

A quiet revolution is possible.

But it requires making a lot of noise.

"Candidate Contracts: Taking Back Our Democracy" is now available . . .

Amazon (Kindle) . . . amzn.to/1QJRiNZ
Apple (iBook) . . . apple.co/1BXnPcy
Amazon (Paperback) . . . [ TBA ]
Barnes & Noble . . . bit.ly/1GpTTLq
Smashwords . . . bit.ly/1B4DQCp
Direct from printer . . . bit.ly/1MGjDnN

Am I promoting my book?

No . . . I'm promoting my ideas.





[ This originated at the author's personal web site . . . http://jdrachel.com ]