White Plains CitizeNetReporter - Westchester Progressive Forum Does Not Give Up the Ship

WPCNR WHITE PLAINS VOICE. From Westchester Progressive Forum. November 6, 2004: An activist organization in the county, has released a post-election statement attempting to put into perspective the national election results. The statement of Westchester Progressive Forum, by Gloria Karp appears forthwith:

POST ELECTION STATEMENT
NOVEMBER 5, 2004

November 3^rd will be remembered as a day of mourning. Our hopes for peace, a nation taking its rightful place in the global society, a progressive Supreme Court, a clean environment, a responsible fiscal policy and safeguarded civil liberties and rights, have all been dashed. The President has made it clear that “he has earned political capital and intends to spend it”. Conservative leaders have affirmed their expectation of getting reimbursed for their part in his victory.

Unlike last time, the margin of support was real. Three and a half million votes, minus a few for soon to be heard of election irregularities, is still a majority statement. And perhaps, the saddest realization is the fact that we were defeated by fellow Americans who, in the words of Nicholas Kristof “voted against their own interests”.

But today is November 5^th, and after we grieve and mourn, we are still here, we are very much fellow Americans and we are alive. John Edwards said it best, “ You may be disappointed, but you cannot give up.”

Groups such as the Westchester Progressive Forum, anti-war activists, civil libertarians will continue to press for change. But let’s face it. Democrats in Congress and in strategic positions in state and local government have more power than we do and can always do more. We call on them to represent the 48% of the population that said, “NO”. We insist that they become a true party of opposition fighting for progressive values. Common cause with Republican leaders is possible only when it is the result of mutual decision-making and not, do it because we have the votes and you don’t.

It will be tempting to move to the right in an effort to win the votes of the Christian Right. But we can learn from the conservatives. They didn’t change positions when they lost, they just worked harder. And developed brilliant strategies. They expanded their base. And Democrats can also expand. We must become the voice for the disenfranchised and the powerless. We must demonstrate by our actions that we truly stand for the people’s, not the corporate, interests. And if we do it well, evangelicals will also listen.

One New Yorker said yesterday that New York was an island off the coast of Europe. Together, we have the numbers and hopefully, the will to prove her wrong.

Gloria G. Karp, Co-Chair, WPF.


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