Washblog

Text of resolution: Resolution on a First Step in a New, Positive Direction for U.S. Foreign Policy

Robin was inspired by the Marshall Plan, which was engineered in part by two men who attended the same Midwestern college he did, among the first to have a "Peace Studies" Department.

Frankly, I thought the content of the resolution was so idealistic (yet sensible) that its passage would be no more than symbolic in today's effed-up world.  That's after a Democratic administration gains office. With the Bush mob in charge, proposing such a resolution would be black humor at best.  I wish I were't so cynical...

The 34th District and KC Dems passed the resolution enthusiastically, and it's now busily percolating in the State Party Committee. Joel Ware (with beard) represented the King County Dems, the rest of us were 34th district. John is active in SNOW and West Seattle Neighbors for Peace and Justice; Cheryl is active in anti-recruitment and Vets for Peace as well; I (in hot pink, natch) produced the fundraiser Uncaged Cabaret last summer. Jim recognized all of us: "the usual suspects".

Jim said, yes he would be willing to put forth such a resolution after the State Democrats endorse it.

A quote from Rep. Paul Hodes on Kos today is related to the content of our conference:
"To be a Democrat in this modern age"

"We have a great opportunity as Democrats to seize this moment and rally the nation around us.

I believe Democrats bring a fundamentally different world view to the business of governing. We recognize that we live together in an interrelated world, that cherishing freedom at home means acting morally abroad.

We know that to project our power in the world, our cultural diplomacy and statesmanship are at least as important as our military might. To lead the world, we must stand on moral high ground. A nation which tortures its prisoners in secret prisons cannot hold itself up as a moral and compassionate world leader.

We must lead with the force of our founding principles and strive towards equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as the birthright of everyone, everywhere."

Sounds good and should be obvious. But such a speech has become "radical leftism" by today's standards.

I noticed the Backbone Campaign's "Golden  Spine" displayed in the McDermott office with many other awards, certificates, and mementos.

Here are the subjects we touched upon in 30 minutes:

First, Jim acknowledged the week's most disappointing votes: "yes" on the no-strings military supplemental budget from 3 Democratic Reps, Dicks, Larsen, & Baird.  "Somebody should talk to them," said Jim, admitting that he didn't understand it and evidently couldn't convince them. "Somebody" meaning their constituents, or even the State Dem Party.

"Plus both senators", said John, but we didn't dwell on that further bad news.

Jim said the War (or occupation, as the resolution calls it) is spinning out of control by the day. Of course that's obvious to us,  but it's the one fact that needs to be acknowledged before any other.  

He said (again stating what we all know) that it was never about "democracy," but about controlling that part of the world.

Jim also reminded us that we have one of the largest military contractors in our state: Boeing. It's more military than commercial, he said. That has an effect on legislators.

More topics, as I recall them:
"Free enterprise" has become monopoly capitalism. The public is ignorant; that means they see no alternative to the present system.

Our foreign aid is often imperialistic in intent. Three books by Chalmers Johnson, Blowback, Sorrows of Empire, and Nemesis lay this out, he said.

From Wikipedia:

"Johnson believes the enforcement of American hegemony over the world constitutes a new form of global empire. Whereas traditional empires maintained control over subject peoples via colonies, since World War II the US has developed a vast system of hundreds of military bases around the world where it has strategic interests.

A long-time Cold Warrior, Johnson experienced a political awakening after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, noting that instead of demobilizing its massive armed forces, the US accelerated its reliance on military solutions to problems both economic and political. The result of this militarism (as distinct from actual domestic defense) is more terrorism against the US and its allies, the loss of core democratic values at home, and an eventual disaster for the American economy."

This is radical talk, right? John said with the safe seat that Jim has, he's sure he could speak out more forcefully about such things and his base would back him up.

Jim said [paraphrasing]: Politicians aren't free to say we're going down the wrong path as a nation. I think he meant the American ego (overinflated since the end of WWII) won't tolerate it. I said I recalled that Jimmy Carter had said we suffer from a "national malaise," and the public never forgave him. He was heaped with scorn after that.

Later, I realized I was fuzzy on the details of that speech, so I Googled it. Carter's "Malaise" speech, 1979. Subject was the energy crisis. The word "malaise" wasn't used. The text is astonishingly blunt (maybe foolishly so from a political point of view). Carter even wore a cardigan sweater to remind us that the White House thermometers were turned down. An excerpt:

We are at a turning point in our history. There are two paths to choose. One is a path I've warned about tonight, the path that leads to fragmentation and self-interest. Down that road lies a mistaken idea of freedom, the right to grasp for ourselves some advantage over others. That path would be one of constant conflict between narrow interests ending in chaos and immobility. It is a certain route to failure.

All the traditions of our past, all the lessons of our heritage, all the promises of our future point to another path, the path of common purpose and the restoration of American values. That path leads to true freedom for our Nation and ourselves. We can take the first steps down that path as we begin to solve our energy problem.

Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this Nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally.

Back to the conference topics:

Reagan administration made it okay to be greedy and selfish, even glorified it.

State Dem platform is a mishmash, everybody wants their piece.

The "common good" - we've lost that concept. We are not investing in the future.

State party platform should recommend requiring 1 year of national service from every young person.

Shortages of crucial resources like water is just a matter of time.

Massive college loans means indentured young people.

High tech industries say "not enough engineers" graduating from U.S. universities.

The talk about investing in democracy was a segue into my next presentation, as our time came to a close.  I said: "My colleagues in Washington Public Campaigns say you support what we're doing. We're asking for pledges now..." and I handed him our "Clean Campaigns Pledge" form. He nodded and said he'd been discussing out-of-control campaign spending with some colleagues recently and they agreed: public campaigns are the way to go.

On the drive home, John said it was hard to find a higher elected official who was willing to committ to public campaigns. We agreed that we're lucky we have a Rep we can trust and respect, who respects us. That's more than a lot of people can say. And I just wrote the Congressman a letter, thanking him and including a copy of the picture.

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