Progressive Democrats of America

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The Progressive Democrats of America is a progressive political organization and powerful grassroots Political Action Committee operating inside the Democratic Party.

Contents 1 History 2 Priorities 2.1 War in Iraq 2.2 Single-payer Health Care 2.3 Economic Justice 2.4 Fair Elections 2.5 Global Warming 3 Advisory Board 4 Staff 5 External links 6 References

[edit] History

The Progressive Democrats of America formed out of both Democracy for America, an organization that itself grew out of Howard Dean's presidential campaign, and members of Dennis Kucinich's Presidential Campaign.

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was founded during the 2004 Democratic Party National Convention in Massachusetts by delegates and activists concerned with the trend in the Democratic Party. Currently PDA consists of "a large group of progressive grassroots activists from across the country who want to support other progressive grassroots activists locally." ^[1]

Appearing at the first PDA meeting in Roxbury, Massachusetts were leaders, activists and politicians including Dean, Rep. John Conyers, Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Tom Hayden, David Thorstad, Medea Benjamin, John Lauritsen, and Current PDA Executive Director Tim Carpenter.

The mission of the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is to strengthen the voice of progressive ideas within the Democratic Party. This is to be achieved, according to PDA's website, by using "inside/outside" and Grassroots Fusion models of working both in the Democratic Party as well as working with other progressive organizations. Celebrating the first anniversary of the movement, the PDA has grown and is developing a grassroots organization to improve the Democratic Party.

PDA gained support from actors Ed Asner and Mimi Kennedy, the latter said, "The Democratic Party needs our help to regain its soul. If this is to be the party of peace, of universal, single payer healthcare, of fair trade, then it needs people to speak out on those issues." PDA's National Board includes Ms. Kennedy, Cindy Sheehan, and members of the US Congress.

[edit] Priorities

[edit] War in Iraq

The Progressive Democrats of America believe that the Iraq war is one of the worst foreign policy disasters in U.S. history. The PDA calls for a U.S. withdrawal and war funds redirected toward social needs at home and humanitarian aid to Iraqis. The Progressive Democrats of America have called on Congress to cut of military funding for the war and investigate all White House claims justifying the invasion. Representatives Raul Grijalva and Dennis Kucinich are the officials the PDA are looking to in order to challenge the expected $100 billion supplemental Iraq war request. The PDA is also behind the Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act, introduced by key members of the PDA board, Representatives Lynn Woolsey, Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters. The bill would bring all U.S. troops home within 6 months. The PDA has also publicly endorsed the Safe and Orderly Withdrawal From Iraq Act, known as House Resolution 746.^[2]

[edit] Single-payer Health Care

With over 45 million people with no health care, and tens of million more with inadequate coverage, the Progressive Democrats advocate support for Single-payer health care. The PDA supports Representative John Conyers bill, House Resolution 676, which establishes streamlined, nonprofit national health insurance - enhanced Medicare for All - which would negotiate drug and treatment costs. By replacing private insurers and recouping administrative savings of up to $300 billion per year. Care would be privately delivered by healers and hospitals, but publicly financed. PDA also supports health care initiatives at the state and local level that moves toward a nonprofit Single-payer health care system.^[3]

[edit] Economic Justice

The Progressive Democrats of America support a strong agenda of progressive tax reform, fair trade, and economic security measures. The PDA has worked to get Congress to roll back President Bush's tax breaks that assist the wealthy - those with yearly incomes averaging $1.3 million. The PDA also supports fair trade that protects workers' rights and the environment, while opposing wage-reducing "free trade" agreements that protect only corporate rights to globally exploit unprotected labor. The PDA, working with close allies like Senator Sherrod Brown, to block renewal of fast track authority, which allows the White House to enact trade deals without Congressional amendment. The PDA also endorses the Employee Free Choice Act, which establishes unions in any workplace where a majority of workers sign up.^[4]

[edit] Fair Elections

PDA worked with Congressman John Conyers, Chairman of the United States House Committee on the Judiciary, in exposing the 2004 election irregularities in Ohio that might have helped elect President Bush in the 2004 presidential election. The Progressive Democrats of America support federal legislation that bans further use of touch-screen voting machines, established a paper ballot as the official record for deriving voter intent, and require rigorous mandatory audits for elections. Also, to eliminate big-money dominance, the PDA supports comprehensive campaign finance reform at the state and national level.^[5]

[edit] Global Warming

The Progressive Democrats of America call on Congress to lead in reducing the United States's dependence on oil and fossil fuels by raising auto fuel economy and imposing mandatory caps on carbon pollution while investing in public transportation, energy conservation technologies, and alternative energy development.^[6]

[edit] Advisory Board

• Mimi Kennedy, Advisory Board Chair
• Stephen Shaff, Advisory Board Vice Chair
• The Honorable John Conyers, Jr.
• The Honorable Raul Grijalva
• The Honorable Barbara Lee
• The Honorable Kyrsten Sinema
• The Honorable Maxine Waters
• The Honorable Diane E. Watson
• The Honorable Lynn Woolsey
• Cindy Asner
• Medea Benjamin
• John C. Bonifaz
• Steve Cobble
• Jeff Cohen
• Jodie Evans
• Gary L. Flowers
• Lila Garret
• Tom Hayden
• Joe Libertelli
• Ralph I. Miller
• Greg Moore
• Joel Segal
• David Swanson
• Lyle Wing
• Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr.

[edit] Staff

• Tim Carpenter, Executive Director
• Kevin Spidel, National Deputy Director
• William Rivers Pitt, Editorial Director

[edit] External links

• Progressive Democrats of America official website
• Common Dreams Newswire
• 2006 Endorsed Candidates
• Current Allies "outside" the Democratic Party
• Current Chapters "inside" the Democratic Party

[edit] References

1. ^ Quote from the Proggres...Link
2. ^ PDA Iraq Policy...Link
3. ^ PDA Health Care Policy...Link
4. ^ PDA Economic Policy...Link
5. ^ PDA Election Policy...Link
6. ^ PDA Enviornment Policy...Link