Illinois Progressive Caucus Forming - Perfect Storm?

Like thunder on the horizon, Progressive Democrats in Illinois have been rumbling and gathering energy. Through the campaigns of the likes of Dennis Kucinich and Barak Obama they are starting to be heard and seen. In the campaigns of candidates like Rueben Zamora, 14th district challenger to Dennis Hastert, among others, they are gathering strength and reach.

The time has come to bring focus to that energy. To bring brilliant flashes of lightning - of which this may be one of the first. The following quotes will allow you to find the places where you can find the birthing of a new spirit in Illinois, as is happening in other places around the nation.

" Dear Fellow Progressives,

Many of us spent much time during the past year volunteering or supporting progressive candidates like Howard Dean and Dennis Kucinich. Now that the Democratic Party has set the platform and nominated John Kerry, many are left wondering how to focus their energy. Across the country, progressive organizations are springing up to help elect Progressive Democrats to local, state, and federal offices. Illinois will join the dozens of states that have already established Progressive Caucuses.

The Progressive Democrats of Illinois announce their very first steering committee meeting to be held on Saturday August 7, 2004, 5pm to 7pm at 14 West Downers Place, Suite 8 in Aurora, IL. This planning meeting will be a pot-luck dinner meeting. ALL ARE WELCOME, no matter what political experiences you may or may not have. All you need is a desire to transform the Democratic Party from the inside.

We will be establishing temporary goals and organization to take us through the November 2 election, after which we will revisit our mission. Please forward this message to anyone you would like to. Contact Andrew Chusid if you have any questions or to RSVP (no RSVP required): andrew@chusid.com or 309-838-0880.

Thank you,

Andrew Chusid, Co-Founder
The Progressive Democrats of Illinois"

Also for those who are interested in the challenger to the Speaker of the House:

" This information is from Shoshana; kanekucinich@sbcglobal.net on the 14th Illinois Congressional District challenger to Dennis Hastert, Mr. Rueben Zamora:

Dear concerned U.S. Citizen,

I am writing to you about one of the most important races besides the Presidential race, the District 14 race in Illinois. Ruben Zamora, a man of the people, has taken up the challenge of running against Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the House, and a Republican incumbent. Dennis Hastert agrees with the current administration on almost every single issue. This is dangerous in this day and age, since the constitutional checks and balances are not being respected or honored. Ruben Zamora, by contrast, is a progressive Democrat with wonderful values and ideas for helping the people of the United States.

Although Ruben Zamora may not be an experienced career politician, he has a great curious intellect and a big desire to help and support human kind. He is a candidate that is constantly thinking about the future of our world, and how we may leave it for the next generation. Ruben Zamora wants to work on the issues that matter most to the majority of Americans. He is a thoughtful and passionate individual, along the same lines as Burak Obama. Below is his statement, which you can find on his website.

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I am not a politician, and this is not my race for Congress. This campaign is for the citizens of the 14th District of Illinois. We need to reclaim our democracy and our nation from corporate interests and those who uphold those interests. We need representatives who will stand up for our rights and the issues that affect us in our daily lives. My opponent is no longer in touch with the needs of our community. I am willing to listen to you, and want to work with you to ensure a better life for every man, woman, and child I represent.
Every individual has the right...

To safety at home, in the community and in the world.

To free speech and assembly

To civil liberties, including the rights of trial by jury, effective counsel, and due process of law.

To privacy, including protection from unwanted invasion or surveillance and unreasonable search and seizure.

To vote and have his or her vote count.

To equal opportunity and protection, with an end to discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, religion, physical or developmental ability or sexual orientation.

To economic justice, including decent and safe work that pays a living wage and the right to organize for better working standards.

To security in retirement, including guaranteed, inflation-proof Social Security.

To affordable and comprehensive health care.

To an affordable quality education at any age.

To a clean and healthy environment where pollution is no longer a threat.

To full reproductive privacy.

To a foreign and military agenda that is responsible, achieves goals that are shared by our global allies, and promotes international cooperation.

To a government that promotes freedom, democracy, justice, and peace in domestic and world affairs.

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I invite everyone to take a closer look at Ruben Zamora and what he stands for, integrity!

Ruben Zamora’s statements on the issues: http://zamoraforcongress.org/issues.html

If you like what you see, please consider helping Ruben in any way that you can. Unseating Dennis Hastert would be a big step for vastly needed changes for America and the American people.

To volunteer: http://zamoraforcongress.org/join_the_team.html

To donate: http://zamoraforcongress.org/contributions.html

Spreading this message far and wide to your friends and family is also a big way to help support Ruben Zamora. Please forward!"