Fight for Democracy Growing Sharper

We live in a limited democracy. Its extent is constantly being re-defined by class struggle. When the nation began, white male property owners aged 35 and up ran everything. Slaveholders got extra clout. We came a long way, and every inch was a fight. I’ve written about democracy  before.

The fight for democracy is being led from North Texas by Congressman Marc Veasey. Local activists stand strongly with Veasey on issues such as unfair redistricting and voter suppression. Both are supposed to get decisive court decisions this summer.

Unions Are in the Fight

CWA Notes reports on a news conference in front of the White House. CWA, Public Citizen, Common Cause and other democracy allies called on President Obama to issue an executive order requiring federal contractors to disclose their political spending and to push Congress to take action to repair and strengthen the Voting Rights Act.

“Wall Street’s deregulated, anti-union, trickle-down, one percent economics are being propped up by out-of-control campaign donations to our elected officials,” said CWA President Chris Shelton. “Americans deserve a democracy that works for all Americans – one in which everyone has an equal voice and elected officials are accountable to the people, not the wealthy.”

The Communications Workers are inviting people to join Senator Warren in a telephone town hall meeting June 15 at 7P. The Take on Wall Street campaign will be explained and volunteer efforts will be solicited. That’s organizing for democracy!  Click here to register for the telephone conference.

The Election Campaign has Revealed a Dark Truth

Both the Republican and the Democratic presidential campaigns drew back the curtain shrouding the basic secret of the two-party system: neither party is actually very democratic. The bosses have rigged the game. As I have written before, we may have already entered the early stages of the next giant historical step for American working people — the formation of a workers party.

That would be a lot more democratic. We’d be able to move a few inches in the right direction after several decades of lost ground.

What About Real Democracy?

As long as there is inequality, there can be no complete democracy. The worse the inequality, the more democracy suffers. That’s what has been happening since about 1980 in America — growing inequality and diminishing democracy.

If we want a strong, lasting democracy, we are going to have to do something about the vast inequality that is subverting democracy today. The good news is that more and more people are figuring that out and joining the fight!

–Gene Lantz