Reply #17: I was speaker #49. [View All]

[Liberty Belle]

The DNC members heard an audience that was virtually unanimous on these points:

1. Dean for DNC Chair (almost every speaker urged support for Dean. There were many green cards waving every time his name was mentioned. Only one person lobbied for a different DNC CHair (Fowler). No one wanted Roemer.

2. The DLC is bad for the party. Stop supporting corporations over the people's best interests.

3. We want more Democrats with spines, like Barbara Boxer. Democrats need to stand up, speak out, and vigorously oppose the right-wing extremists in power. No more "Republican lite."

4. Electoral reform is critical to win future elections--especially getting rid of partisan-owned voting machiness that can be easily rigged or hacked. Voter suppression is unconscionable. (One speaker suggested referring to those who oppose electoral reform as "Dixiecrat racists."

5. Our party must take a strong stance on remaining pro-choice and should not name any leaders who are anti-choice. (Huge applause on this point.)

6. Protect Social Security, civil liberties, the environment, education, jobs, and healthcare. Embrace liberalism in the tradition of FDR.

There were so many wonderful speakers--including an anti-war activist in her 90s, students concerned about the draft, teachers, a doctor who works at a community clinic, and more. An IRS worker revealed the next Bush bombshell--plans to privatize tax collection, withi bounty hunters on commission! Quite a few speakers mentioned the administration's dangerous turn toward fascism and expressed serious concerns.

The people have spoken. Let's hope our leaders will listen.