The Scallion's Roving Reporter Reports in: The “Democracy Rising” Free-D.C. Rally with Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader
October 7, 2003. The Scallion's sometimes roving reporter and always webmeister, A.J., attended the “Democracy Rising” rally in Washington, D.C. As presented on the website, http://www.democracyrising.org/, the rally offers a platform for Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader to speak. It was also an opportunity for speakers to discuss local issues, like D.C. statehood, why school vouchers are a bad idea, affordable housing, expanding public libraries, and more.
“It was definitely worth the trip into the District,” remarked A.J. “The energy was high, and the church where the town hall meeting was held resonated with a positive vibe arising from people with similar hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Being a mostly vegan vegetarian myself, I was pleased to see groups of vegetarians promoting the health and environmental benefits of avoiding animal products. It was just a very energizing crowd to experience.
“This was the first time I really got to hear Dennis Kucinich speak live, and, I'm pleased to say, he's very presidential. He's orders of magnitude more presidential than the suited chimpanzee currently brachiating and jabbering around the White House—and far more passionate and eloquent. He has never been afraid to speak the truth to power. What I hadn't realized is that he and Ralph Nader have worked together for the common good for thirty-odd years. That rather increases my respect for both men, whom I already greatly admire. Dennis gave a wonderful, eloquent, dynamic, and very to-the-point speech. He was a pleasure to listen to. For anyone who hasn't yet heard him live, try going to his website (http://www.kucinich.us/) and checking out some of the audio clips. President Kucinich will represent Americans at home and abroad and do every one of us proud—except the kleptocrats and their rich supporters.
“Listening to Ralph Nader's speech was also a wonderful experience. He had some advice that America needs to wake up and heed: organize. America's airwaves, public lands, and taxpayer-funded research (like the medicines researched at taxpayer expense at the National Institutes of Health and turned over to big pharmaceutical companies free of charge) all belong to the American people but are not controlled by us. Our pension and stock funds also belong to us but are not controlled by us. If we-the-people organized and took control of the resources that are ours, the current kleptocracy would be out on its ear before George Dubya Bush could say, 'oil.' Could you imagine if the American public controlled one-third of its pension funds? If we did, it wouldn't be even remotely possible for companies like Enron to cheat and steal the public out of its life savings.
“Nader also offered some words that should give hope to the faintest of heart among us—those who would rather excuse themselves than fight for their democracy and their country. He reminded us to look at abolition, women's suffrage, the formation of unions, the civil rights of the 1960s—even the Revolutionary War. Each of these efforts to better mankind was undertaken by ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Each of these efforts was fought by the prevailing commercial interests of the time. If we just organize, it doesn't take ten million average Americans to force through beneficial change; it doesn't even take one million Americans. Even a few well-organized thousands or tens of thousands can make a critical difference that gets the ball rolling. The Americans who fought for the great causes of old were up against no lesser obstacles than we are—if those of us who care about using our democracy will only fight to preserve it, it will prevail for everyone to enjoy. Public outcry is enough to rein in the Congress—we outnumber them. Public outrage is enough to rein in the big corporations—we outnumber them, too. So it's up to us to protest, write letters, and talk face-to-face to the unconverted—together, we can make anything happen.”
