News From The Front

We finally approved a mission statement. And then as it turned out, right after it was approved, a meeting was called by another working group of the NYC general assembly. Of course I wanted as many people from our group to attend, to get a hand-bill out--a single sheet with the mission statement and rationale/basis for it:

Mission Statement:

Whereas recent court decisions and federal laws enable corporate and special interests to drown out the voices of United States citizens; whereas elected representatives are dependent on corporate and special interests to fund political campaigns; whereas two entrenched political parties have rigged the electoral system to insulate themselves against challenge from other parties; whereas our voting rights are under attack; whereas Congress is unlikely to propose amendments to reverse these trends fatal to self government by the people. We resolve to work with all like-minded individuals and organizations, setting aside those debates which traditionally divide us and undermine our strength in numbers, to unite the voices of the 99% in calling for the Article V Convention so that such amendments may be proposed, debated, and ratified to secure and strengthen democracy for the people of this nation.

Rationale/Basis:

As our mission statement articulates, we as a group within the larger NYCGA, do not believe systemic problems of the electoral process will be reformed by legislation or amendment arising out of Congress--the body actively perpetuating the status quo of politics as usual, the two-party duopoly, and all symptoms which follow. We believe OWS currently has the opportunity to lead America into a new era of transparent elections and representative government by directing focus to the solution: a convention for proposing amendments.

Groups such as OWS and Tea Party Patriots and others are displaying displeasure with the status quo. While these groups may perceive problems differently, the overall level of dissent is sufficient, making the time ripe for fundamental change. Americans from across the political spectrum are ready to exercise the ultimate right--that of Alter and Abolish. In our constitutional republic we are meant to alter and abolish by convoking a convention of state delegates.

As it's Politics As Usual which provides cover for institutional corruption and the two-party system, a convention will stop PAU dead in its tracks as it's a three-part national discussion which politicians and media do not currently have to address and/or react to. Therefore, logically, simply holding convention, and going through the processes it necessitates, in and of itself will alter the current state of affairs while at the same time putting the entire nation through a grand lesson in civics.

OWS is composed of many groups, and beyond it, many cities. Throughout all these groups/cities are individuals who profess to have amendment language which should be the top priority of the nation. What OWS as a movement must become collectively conscious of now, is that there is no chance any one of these ideas will be proposed to the states for ratification without first holding a non-binding deliberative assembly on the authority of the Constitution.

We invite you to join us Saturday, December 3rd, to launch OWS into the next phase in its goal to break the status quo, that fundamental electoral reform may be debated in order to be ratified.

Then we had some e-mail discussion, which led to my reply:

Our group has the solution--not for us alone, but the nation. Millions of Americans are unaware of what OWS means, millions could give [beep] what we think. OWS is now being demonized. The solution our sub-group of NYCGA has identified is a non-partisan idea, indeed the founding principle of our high law--we're meant to alter untenable status quo via convention. If so, it seems common sense the task is to sell that principle to Americans who are either 1) unaware of it, or 2) unaware how it works. I worked with Occupy Santa Barbara for over two weeks, I know first-hand not everyone's opinion holds the same weight. By this I mean some have extensive knowledge which can and will aid the larger group if given the chance.

It seems plot-points of events are fortuitous: our group drafted/agreed to language and then a meeting emerged via Ed Brady. Why would we be shy about what our group's been working on? Why not print a page of our mission statement and its basis?

I do not see this having to do with unilateralism, it's about being a good dog and barking on point. Our dog has identified the solution, right there in our high law. I spoke with Ed Brady today and he inspired me to say what is true: we all have better things to do with our lives than fighting against a tyrannical government. If so, let's cause a convention, trust in the people and the process, so we can all go back to pursuing happiness. And if we don't trust the people, the principle of a convention and its three-part process, guess who we're back to trusting? We need a convention, we needed it 1960s, and here we are today half a century later. Let's put the problem to rest for another hundred years or more. We can do it.

Just hoping things will come together sooner than later....

I have been out there selling the Translations, and really, really want to get to the next book--Othello/Romeo & Juliet. And I also want to get to the sequel to the novel. And I want to write some original plays. And I want to create some sculptures. Sometimes the way I feel is that I'm a sculptor trapped in a crazy poet's body. Oh--and then there's the documentary--trying to get funds together to edit. So much to do, so little time. And last but not least, it sure would be nice to take a walk with someone special--on the beach, a hike in the mountains--maybe a special kiss? That really would be nice. I wonder if that will ever happen. Time will tell--for now, work.