Socialists in Congress
http://www.jeremiahproject.com/trashingamerica/progressive.html
In Washington D.C. there is powerful and popular lobby called the Congressional Progressive Caucus which, at one time, openly espoused the principles of socialism and publicly signed onto the agenda of the Democratic Socialists of America.
According to their statement of purpose,
"The Progressive Caucus is organized around the principles of social and economic justice, a non-discriminatory society and national priorities which represent the interests of all people, not just the wealthy and the powerful.
Our purpose is to present thoughtful, practical solutions to the economic and social problems facing America. Our people-based agenda extends from job creation to job training, to economic conversion, to single payer healthcare reform, to adequate funding for the AIDS crisis, to environmental reform, and to women's rights.
Now that the cold war is over, this nation's budget and overall priorities must reflect that reality. We support further cuts in outdated and unnecessary military spending, a more progressive tax system in which wealthy taxpayers and corporations contribute their fair share, and a substantial increase in social programs designed to meet the needs of low-and-middle-income American families. We believe that these goals fit within an overall commitment to deficit reduction."
In more recent years, the Congressional Progressive Caucus has gone underground in respect to their connection to the Democratic Socialists of America. Their roster is no longer published on the DSA website and they no longer publicly acknowledge their loyalty to the socialist organization. In the DSA document, "Electoral Politics As Tactic — Elections Statement 2000," it states:
"DSA recognizes that some insurgent politicians representing labor, environmentalists, gays and lesbians, and communities of color may choose to run under Democratic auspices... and the 59 Democratic members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, one-half of whom are Black and Latino and all of whom possess strong labor backing and operative social democratic politics."
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Jan Schakowsky - Yet Another Socialist Sympathizer in Congress
Several current or recent members of Congress, including Neil Abercrombie, Mary Jo Kilroy, Jerry Nadler and Bob Filner have close ties to America's largest marxist organization, Democratic Socialists of America.
http://newzeal.blogspot.com/
by Trevor Loudon
Another to add to the growing list is Jan Schakowsky.
The Illinois Democrat, a member of the far left Congressional Progressive Caucus, has been close to D.S.A., or its preceding organization, the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee since the 1970s.
Schakowsky was recruited to help with the famous Chicago Grape Boycott by a young United Farm Workers union leader named Eliseo Medina.
A lifelong socialist, Medina is today executive vice president of the Service Employees International Union and an honorary chair of Democratic Socialists of America.
Medina and Schakowsky crossed paths again at Chicago D.S.A.'s 2004 Debs-Thomas-Harrington Dinner.
Eliseo Medina was honored for his union work at the dinner while Jan Schakowsky was keynote speaker.
From Chicago DSA's New Ground;
Carl Shier introduced the second honoree, SEIU Executive Vice President Eliseo Medina. Shier first met Medina when Medina was a young man sent to Chicago by Cesar Chavez to organize the UFW's grape boycott in Chicago on $5 dollars a week. Medina worked miracles (including roping young suburban women like Jan Schakowsky into the effort).
When Jan Schakowsky ran for Congress in 1998 she was endorsed by Chicago D.S.A. - as was full fledged D.S.A. member and currently serving Democratic Congressman Danny Davis.
Jan Schakowsky, U.S. House of Representatives, 9th District
Jan Schakowsky is running for Sid Yates old position. Like Danny Davis, she's an old friend of DSA and a real fighter.
Jan Schakowsky was herself honored at Chicago D.S.A's May 2000 Dinner, for her "work in Congress and the community." Schakowsky received her award from no less a dignitary than Chicago D.S.A. icon, the since deceased Carl Marx Shier.
Carl Shier, Jan Schakowsky
In your early days as a consumer advocate, you began the fight for freshness dates on products sold in supermarkets. As Program Director of Illinois Public Action, you fought for energy reform and stronger protection from toxic chemicals. As Executive Director of the Illinois State Council of Senior Citizens, you helped organize across the state for universal and comprehensive health care, for lowering the cost of prescription drugs, for financial protection for spouses of residents in nursing homes.
As an Illinois State Representative, you served your constituency well for four terms. You were an outstanding Chair of the Labor and Commerce Committee. You served on the Human Services, Appropriation, Health Care, and Electric Deregulation Committees. You were a Democratic Party Floor Leader and served as Secretary of the Conference of Women Legislators.
Your dedication to the people was rewarded by a great grassroots campaign, with hundreds of street volunteers, when you chose to run for the United States House of Representatives. Your first term in Congress has been outstanding. You have been an outstanding voice for seniors, labor union members, women and children. You have continued your advocacy of universal health care through your membership on the Health Care and Medicare Task Forces. Through your work, you were appointed to a leadership whip position.
Your work and your life honors the memory of Eugene V. Debs, Norman Thomas and Michael Harrington and continues their legacy of struggle for social justice.
For your dedication to the fight for a just society, the Debs - Thomas - Harrington Dinner Committee hereby presents to you its annual award on this 5th day of May, 2000. Jan Schakowsky also attended the The 35th Annual Eugene V. Debs - Norman Thomas - Michael Harrington Dinner on May 7th 1993.
In 2002 Schakowsky showed Chicago D.S.A. some love, with this paid ad in that years Debs Dinner program.
Jan Schakowsky has been one Congresss' most loyal and consistent Barack Obama supporters. Unsurprizing perhaps as President Obama also has a long history with Democratic Socialists of America.
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DSA helped form and continues to work closely with the Congressional Progressive Caucus[13];
Since 1982, DSA has been working for progressive change. As a national organization, DSA joins with its allies in Congress' Progressive Caucus and in many other progressive organizations, fighting for the interests of the average citizen both in legislative struggles and in other campaigns to educate the public on progressive issues and to secure progressive access to the media.
According to the DSA website[14];
No, we are not a separate party. Like our friends and allies in the feminist, labor, civil rights, religious, and community organizing movements, many of us have been active in the Democratic Party. We work with those movements to strengthen the party’s left wing, represented by the Congressional Progressive Caucus...Maybe sometime in the future, in coalition with our allies, an alternative national party will be viable. For now, we will continue to support progressives who have a real chance at winning elections, which usually means left-wing Democrats
DSA, the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Institute for Policy Studies formed a triple alliance.
http://www.keywiki.org/index.php/Democratic_Socialists_of_America#Elected_Representatives.2C_1990
CONGRESSMEN FAIL TO INCLUDE ‘DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA’ MEMBERSHIP IN THEIR ELECTION CAMPAIGNS
John G. Winder, The Cypress Times
Published 08/09/2010 - 6:38 a.m. CST Sheila Jackson Lee and President Obama ABOUT THE AUTHOR John G. Winder
Website: http://www.thecypresstimes.com
Sheila Jackson Lee (Dem, TX 18th) serves as Vice Chair
An article appeared nearly one year ago in the Canada Free press outlining the intertwining relationship between the progressive movement, the socialist movement, communism, the Democratic Socialists of America, The Congressional Black Caucus and elected representatives of the United States House of Representatives. The article was completely ignored by the U.S. press.
On August 13, 2009, JB Williams of the Canada Free Press wrote the following:
“After decades of failed attempts to take over America via their third party initiatives that couldn’t break America’s two party system, leaders of both the Communist Party USA and Socialist Party USA chose a new strategy.
“Both being the ultimate 'party of the working class stiff,' they joined forces in a new venture that would work within the US two party system, by hijacking control of one of the two primary parties. As the Democrat Party had already spent years identifying itself as the “party of the working class,” engaging in socio-economic class warfare as its primary method for expanding its political power, it was ripe for the hijacking.
“Together, Communist Party and Socialist Party leaders established the Democratic Socialists of America, and they share a common ideology which is now the platform and mantra of today’s DNC – CPUSA.
“To gain full control of the Democrat Party, DSA leadership established two congressional legislative bodies, headed by DSA/CPUSA/SPUSA members. Today, these are the two congressional bodies in control of congress.
“They are the Congressional Progressive Caucus established by Socialist Party member Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and the Congressional Black Caucus established by Communist Party member John Conyers of Michigan.
“ALL members of these two congressional committees represent the Democratic Socialists of America, as both committees are the creation of, and operate under the control of DSAUSA.”
Is Mr. Williams way off-base in reporting that the DSA is working with the hope of dramatically changing America? The answer to that question is found in the stated beliefs of the Democratic Socialists of America.
A publication written by the DSA titled “What is Democratic Socialism? Questions and Answers from the Democratic Socialists of America” explains their agenda for America.
The DSA’s view of private corporations: “In the short term we can’t eliminate private corporations, but we can bring them under greater democratic control.”
On the notion that a Socialist society would create a lack of desire to work:
“Although a long-term goal of socialism is to eliminate all but the most enjoyable kinds of labor, we recognize that unappealing jobs will long remain. These tasks would be spread among as many people as possible rather than distributed on the basis of class, race, ethnicity, or gender, as they are under capitalism. And this undesirable work should be among the best, not the least, rewarded work within the economy.”
Targeting America’s youth in promoting a socialist agenda:
“Young people are needed in today’s struggles as well: for universal health care and stronger unions, against welfare cuts and predatory multinational corporations. Schools, colleges and universities are important to American political culture. They are the places where ideas are formulated and policy discussed and developed. Being an active part of that discussion is a critical job for young socialists.”
How does the DSA propose to pay for a Socialist USA?
“Most advanced industrial democracies provide these goods through progressive taxation, control of health care costs (either by providing publicly funded national health insurance or regulated insurance options offered by nonprofit health care providers), and the expenditure of a smaller portion of their GDP on the military than does the United States.”
Sound familiar yet?
Regarding separation and differentiation from the Democrat party, the DSA both asks and answers the question emphatically.
“Aren't you a party that's in competition with the Democratic Party for votes and support?
“No, we are not a separate party. Like our friends and allies in the feminist, labor, civil rights, religious, and community organizing movements, many of us have been active in the Democratic Party. We work with those movements to strengthen the party’s left wing, represented by the Congressional Progressive Caucus.”
What is the Congressional Progressive Caucus? The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the largest caucus within the Democratic caucus in the United States Congress with 83 declared members.
The membership includes these notable Representatives:
Sheila Jackson-Lee - (TX-18, Houston)*
Eddie Bernice Johnson – (TX 30, Dallas)*
Charles Rangle - (NY 15, Harlem)*
John Conyers – (MI 14, Detroit)*
Barney Frank – (MA 4, Newton)
Alan Grayson – (FL 8, Orlando)
6 Representatives from Illinois are members –
Bobby Rush - (IL-1, Chicago)*
Jesse Jackson, Jr.- (IL-2, Chicago Heights)*
Luis Gutierrez - (IL-4, Chicago)
Danny Davis - (IL-7, Chicago)*
Jan Schakowsky - (IL-9, Chicago)
Phil Hare - (IL-17, Rock Island)
California has the most members with 15 –
Lynn Woolsey (CA-6, Santa Rosa) - Co-Chair
George Miller (CA-7, Richmond) – Chairman
Barbara Lee (CA-9, Oakland) – Chairwoman*
Pete Stark (CA-13, Fremont)
Michael Honda (CA-15, San Jose)
Sam Farr (CA-17, Monterey)
Henry Waxman (CA-30, Los Angeles)
Xavier Becerra (CA-31, Los Angeles)
Judy Chu (CA-32, El Monte)
Diane Watson (CA-33, Los Angeles)*
Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34, Los Angeles)
Maxine Waters (CA-35, Inglewood)*
Laura Richardson (CA-37, Long Beach)*
Linda Sánchez (CA-39, Lakewood)
Bob Filner (CA-51, San Diego)
There is also one stand out former member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus:
Nancy Pelosi (CA -8) who resigned her membership upon becoming minority leader of the house.
There is a great deal of overlap in the membership of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Congressional Black Caucus as noted above by an “*”. These two powerful Caucuses within the United States Congress have combined forces to push the agenda of the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Democratic Socialists of America also boasts an impressive list of your elected representatives, currently seeking your vote again in November.
CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS OF AMERICA
Co-Chairs Hon. Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-07)
Hon. Lynn Woolsey (CA-06)
Vice Chairs
Hon. Diane Watson (CA-33)
Hon. Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18)
Hon. Mazie Hirono (HI-02)
Hon. Dennis Kucinich (OH-10)
Senate Members
Hon. Bernie Sanders (VT)
House Members
Hon. Neil Abercrombie (HI-01)
Hon. Tammy Baldwin (WI-02)
Hon. Xavier Becerra (CA-31)
Hon. Madeleine Bordallo (GU-AL)
Hon. Robert Brady (PA-01)
Hon. Corrine Brown (FL-03)
Hon. Michael Capuano (MA-08)
Hon. André Carson (IN-07)
Hon. Donna Christensen (VI-AL)
Hon. Yvette Clarke (NY-11)
Hon. William “Lacy” Clay (MO-01)
Hon. Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05)
Hon. Steve Cohen (TN-09)
Hon. John Conyers (MI-14)
Hon. Elijah Cummings (MD-07)
Hon. Danny Davis (IL-07)
Hon. Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Hon. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)
Rep. Donna F. Edwards (MD-04)
Hon. Keith Ellison (MN-05)
Hon. Sam Farr (CA-17)
Hon. Chaka Fattah (PA-02)
Hon. Bob Filner (CA-51)
Hon. Barney Frank (MA-04)
Hon. Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11)
Hon. Alan Grayson (FL-08)
Hon. Luis Gutierrez (IL-04)
Hon. John Hall (NY-19)
Hon. Phil Hare (IL-17)
Hon. Maurice Hinchey (NY-22)
Hon. Michael Honda (CA-15)
Hon. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-02)
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30)
Hon. Hank Johnson (GA-04)
Hon. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Hon. Carolyn Kilpatrick (MI-13)
Hon. Barbara Lee (CA-09)
Hon. John Lewis (GA-05)
Hon. David Loebsack (IA-02)
Hon. Ben R. Lujan (NM-3)
Hon. Carolyn Maloney (NY-14)
Hon. Ed Markey (MA-07)
Hon. Jim McDermott (WA-07)
Hon. James McGovern (MA-03)
Hon. George Miller (CA-07)
Hon. Gwen Moore (WI-04)
Hon. Jerrold Nadler (NY-08)
Hon. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (DC-AL)
Hon. John Olver (MA-01)
Hon. Ed Pastor (AZ-04)
Hon. Donald Payne (NJ-10)
Hon. Chellie Pingree (ME-01)
Hon. Charles Rangel (NY-15)
Hon. Laura Richardson (CA-37)
Hon. Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34)
Hon. Bobby Rush (IL-01)
Hon. Linda Sánchez (CA-47)
Hon. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09)
Hon. José Serrano (NY-16)
Hon. Louise Slaughter (NY-28)
Hon. Pete Stark (CA-13)
Hon. Bennie Thompson (MS-02)
Hon. John Tierney (MA-06)
Hon. Nydia Velazquez (NY-12)
Hon. Maxine Waters (CA-35)
Hon. Mel Watt (NC-12)
Hon. Henry Waxman (CA-30)
Hon. Peter Welch (VT-AL)
Hon. Robert Wexler (FL-19)
Since all of the elected representatives listed above have made the decision to give their time and energy to serving in one, two or all three of these groups, how come little is mentioned about this particular activity in their individual campaigns?
A search of both Sheila Jackson Lee’s official website as a member of Congress and of her campaign website finds no mention of the DSA whatsoever.
The campaign website doesn’t mention Lee’s involvement with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, but Lee’s Congressional website does say that she is a member of 45 caucuses and both the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Progressive Caucus are listed on that site.
California’s Pete Stark who recently made headlines by saying, "the federal government can do anything," also fails to mention his association with either the Congressional Progressive Caucus or the Democrat Socialists of America. And on and on. As you look into the information these politician filter back to the public about their actions and their involvement, you will find no mention of their activities with the DSA, and little to no mention of their involvement with the CPC.
In November Americans will go to the polls to elect a new congress with every seat in the U.S. House up for grabs. Is your elected representative on any of the above lists? Do you agree with the stated policies and agenda of the DSA?
The DSA concludes its propaganda with a pitch to join them:
“We are part of an international movement fostering solidarity across national borders in order to construct an alternative to the current order. But as residents of the most powerful capitalist nation, we recognize that our greatest act of international solidarity is to build a vibrant, multicultural left in the United States. We invite you to join us in this effort, an effort worthy of a lifetime of commitment.”
If you’re not ready to join in building a new world order and vibrant left, then ask yourself who has the responsibility to protect America from this type of socialist agenda?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Progressive_Caucus#House_members
House members
All members are members of the Democratic Party or caucus with the Democratic Party. There are currently 82 total declared Progressives including 79 voting Representatives, 2 non-voting Delegates, and 3 Senators.
[edit] Arizona
Ed Pastor (AZ-4, Phoenix)
Raúl Grijalva (AZ-7, Tucson) - Co-Chair
[edit] California
Lynn Woolsey (CA-6, Santa Rosa) - Co-Chair
George Miller (CA-7, Richmond) - Chairman, House Education and Labor Committee
Barbara Lee (CA-9, Oakland) - Chairwoman, Congressional Black Caucus
Pete Stark (CA-13, Fremont)
Michael Honda (CA-15, San Jose)
Sam Farr (CA-17, Monterey)
Henry Waxman (CA-30, Los Angeles) - Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee
Xavier Becerra (CA-31, Los Angeles)
Judy Chu (CA-32, El Monte)
Diane Watson (CA-33, Los Angeles)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34, Los Angeles)
Maxine Waters (CA-35, Inglewood)
Laura Richardson (CA-37, Long Beach)
Linda Sánchez (CA-39, Lakewood)
Bob Filner (CA-51, San Diego) - Chairman, House Veterans Affairs Committee
[edit] Colorado
Jared Polis (CO-02, Boulder)
[edit] Connecticut
Rosa DeLauro (CT-3, New Haven)
[edit] Florida
Corrine Brown (FL-3, Jacksonville)
Alan Grayson (FL-8, Orlando)
Alcee Hastings (FL-23, Fort Lauderdale)
[edit] Georgia
Hank Johnson (GA-4, Lithonia)
John Lewis (GA-5, Atlanta)
[edit] Hawaii
Mazie Hirono (HI-2, Honolulu)
[edit] Illinois
Bobby Rush (IL-1, Chicago)
Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL-2, Chicago Heights)
Luis Gutierrez (IL-4, Chicago)
Danny Davis (IL-7, Chicago)
Jan Schakowsky (IL-9, Chicago)
Phil Hare (IL-17, Rock Island)
[edit] Indiana
André Carson (IN-7, Indianapolis)
[edit] Iowa
Dave Loebsack (IA-2, Cedar Rapids)
[edit] Maine
Chellie Pingree (ME-1, North Haven)
[edit] Maryland
Donna Edwards (MD-4, Fort Washington)
Elijah Cummings (MD-7, Baltimore)
[edit] Massachusetts
John Olver (MA-1, Amherst)
Jim McGovern (MA-3, Worcester)
Barney Frank (MA-4, Newton) - Chairman, House Financial Services Committee
John Tierney (MA-6, Salem)
Ed Markey (MA-7, Malden)
Mike Capuano (MA-8, Boston)
[edit] Michigan
Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13, Detroit)
John Conyers (MI-14, Detroit) - Chairman, House Judiciary Committee
[edit] Minnesota
Keith Ellison (MN-5, Minneapolis)
[edit] Mississippi
Bennie Thompson (MS-2, Bolton) - Chairman, House Homeland Security Committee
[edit] Missouri
William Lacy Clay, Jr. (MO-1, St. Louis)
Emanuel Cleaver (MO-5, Kansas City)
[edit] New Jersey
Frank Pallone (NJ-06)
Donald Payne (NJ-10, Newark)
[edit] New Mexico
Ben R. Luján (NM-3, Santa Fe)
[edit] New York
Jerry Nadler (NY-8, Manhattan)
Yvette Clarke (NY-11, Brooklyn)
Nydia Velázquez (NY-12, Brooklyn) - Chairwoman, House Small Business Committee
Carolyn Maloney (NY-14, Manhattan)
Charles Rangel (NY-15, Harlem) - Chairman, House Ways and Means Committee
José Serrano (NY-16, Bronx)
John Hall (NY-19, Dover Plains)
Maurice Hinchey (NY-22, Saugerties)
Louise Slaughter (NY-28, Rochester) - Chairwoman, House Rules Committee
[edit] North Carolina
Mel Watt (NC-12, Charlotte)
[edit] Ohio
Marcy Kaptur (OH-9, Toledo)
Dennis Kucinich (OH-10, Cleveland)
Marcia Fudge (OH-11, Warrensville Heights)
[edit] Oregon
Earl Blumenauer (OR-3, Portland)
Peter DeFazio (OR-4, Eugene)
[edit] Pennsylvania
Bob Brady (PA-1, Philadelphia) - Chairman, House Administration Committee
Chaka Fattah (PA-2, Philadelphia)
[edit] Tennessee
Steve Cohen (TN-9, Memphis)
[edit] Texas
Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX-18, Houston)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30, Dallas)
[edit] Virginia
Jim Moran (VA-8, Alexandria)
[edit] Vermont
Peter Welch (VT-At Large)
[edit] Washington
Jim McDermott (WA-7, Seattle)
[edit] Wisconsin
Tammy Baldwin (WI-2, Madison)
Gwen Moore (WI-4, Milwaukee)
[edit] Non-voting
Donna M. Christensen (Virgin Islands)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)
[edit] Senate members
Bernie Sanders (Vermont)
Tom Udall (New Mexico)[2]
Roland Burris (Illinois)
[edit] Former members
Sherrod Brown (OH-13) - Elected to Senate
Julia Carson (IN-07) - Died in December 2007
Lane Evans (IL-17) - Retired from Congress
Eric Massa (NY-29) - Resigned in March 2010
Cynthia McKinney (GA-4) - Lost Congressional seat to current caucus member Hank Johnson
Major Owens (NY-11) - Retired from Congress
Nancy Pelosi (CA-8) - Left Caucus when Elected House Minority Leader
Hilda Solis (CA-32) - Became Secretary of Labor in 2009
Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11) - Died in 2008
Paul Wellstone (MN Senate) - Died in plane crash in 2002
Robert Wexler (FL-19) - Resigned in January 2010 to become President of the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Progressive_Caucus#House_members
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