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Our Democracy Cells in Action - Things are happenin' in the Illinois democracy cells.
Ellen told us about how her cell successfully held a meeting with the district's Republican representative's office about Social Security. She also told us what their next steps are to ensure that their voices are heard. Make sure you check out her forum post; you might find some valuable tips for dealing with your representatives.
Oncall's cell held its third meeting where they discussed strategies to increase awareness of DCP and its role in the community. They've come up with some great ideas including forming a "speakers bureau", participating in the local Fourth of July parade and throwing DCP wrist bands to people, producing issues oriented pamphlets with the DCP logo, and developing a local web page with links to the DCP and other sites. They also formed committees that will focus on voting issues, civil rights, church/state, media accountability and have plans to meet again in about two to three months. We anxiously await the news of his progress! Read all the details in the forum.
A quote from the past - can you guess who wrote this? (You'll find the answer at the end of the newsletter.)
However, on religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this supreme being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly. The religious factions that are growing throughout our land are not using their religious clout with wisdom. They are trying to force government leaders into following their position 100 percent. If you disagree with these religious groups on a particular moral issue, they complain, they threaten you with a loss of money or votes or both. I'm frankly sick and tired of the political preachers across this country telling me as a citizen that if I want to be a moral person, I must believe in 'A,' 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Just who do they think they are? And from where do they presume to claim the right to dictate their moral beliefs to me? And I am even more angry as a legislator who must endure the threats of every religious group who thinks it has some God-granted right to control my vote on every roll call in the Senate. I am warning them today: I will fight them every step of the way if they try to dictate their moral convictions to all Americans in the name of 'conservatism.'
Posted by: DiAnne at April 24, 2005 01:27 PM
The Take Back America conference - Karen Bradley invites us to join with progressives across the country for the most important gathering of activists, leaders and thinkers this year in Washington D.C. June 1st - 3rd. We'll have a table at the conference where we'll be sharing our vision and demonstrating the DCP site. We're also planning a Blogger's Bash on Friday evening on Capitol Hill where you can meet Polly Sigh, Casey Morris, hopefully Matthew Carnicelli, and the always popular DiAnne, SuZ, Karen and Dick Bell too. We'll work out the details and let you know as soon as we know!
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