Second Organizing Meeting & Platform for Progressive Congressional District 14 Candidate Rob Jereski Against Carolyn Maloney

I'm writing to you because you have expressed interest in being kept up to date on our efforts here in New York City to elect a Progressive Democrat to Congress and thereby provide better representation to the people of our city in Congress. We are working to replace a pro-war, pro-Patriot Act, anti-fair trade and anti-Universal Health Care Democrat with a progressive Democrat representative of the values of our District (CD 14). We hope to make at least one of our unaccountable politicians pay for their betrayal of the public trust. Please forward this invitation/announcement to Progressives you know in Long Island City, Astoria, and the east side of Manhattan from 100th Street down to the Grand Street Projects in east Chinatown.

"My name is Robert Jereski and I'm running for Congress. Answering the call by Dean and Kucinich to become part of a House of Representatives which will deliver on their hopeful vision of a world working together to address the most urgent domestic and foreign crisis of the day. Against Carolyn Maloney, I will present a platform (website to be launched soon) to hold her accountable for her undemocratic vote in support of the war on Iraq, the Patriot Act, and more recently the redrawing of the CIA Charter to allow it to deploy in local and state law enforcement agencies. I am offering an alternative vision and platform for a domestic and foreign policy to provide economic opportunity for all (not just the few and the wealthy and multinational corporations), peace (through arms control and disarmament and multilateral cooperation), and participatory democracy (through nurturing human security and respect for civil and economic rights). I propose health care for all, jobs for all who are looking for them (a public works project akin to that our government created in the 30s), cutting the bloated military budget to provide universal child care, investments in affordable housing, and the protection of our Constitution.

I support Congressman Kucinich's proposal for a Department of Peace and, as your Representative, I will sign the bill to create one, support legislation for a Universal Single Payer Health Care system, and aggressively promote investment in truly renewable energy technology which will help address the crisis of global climate change, create millions of jobs, reduce air pollution, and nurture democracy around the world. I agree with Governor Dean's reminder to us that, in a democracy, We the People, have the power. I am ready to work hard on Capitol Hill to address the major obstacles to meaningful participation in our political system, including the barriers presented by the concentration of media ownership, the increase in government secrecy, the low turnout of voters in sound-bite dominated electoral cycles and the inadequate attention given to educating young people in the important duties and critical thinking skills necessary to exercise their roles as active citizens. I support public financing of elections and other reforms to address the corruption of our political system by special interests.

I look forward to this challenge and hope you will join our exploratory committee and field operation (or point your friends in the city towards us). Please consider pledging a donation by sending the amount pledged, your contact information, and your name to Susan Mainzer, Campaign Press Secretary at smainzer@kucinich.us. If you live in the NYC area, please see the invitation below to our next (second) Exploratory Committee meeting."

Invitation: On September 17, 2004 we can elect Robert Jereski [Democrat for Congress - 14th District]. A candidate for Peace, Prosperity, and a Revitalization of Our Democracy. Take part in a campaign to reclaim a Congressional seat from Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who supported the war on Iraq, the Patriot Act, and trade and economic policies favoring corporations at the expense of our national well-being. Come to our second organizing meeting at 2 Tudor City Place on March 31st at 7 pm. [Future meetings will be listed here at Duchess website.] Email for directions: mutualaid@earthlink.net. Together we can help deliver a Congress with integrity which reflects our principles and values.

Liberal Voices Get New Home On Radio Dial
NEW YORK TIMES
by Jacques Steinberg
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/31/arts/31AIR.html?ex=1396069200&en=b7e26277dd2af7fc&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND