The recent election has made it clear to progressives in Bessemer that we need to get our message out. The Alabama Democratic Conference distributed a ballot of endorsements for our area, and the Concerned Citizens of Bessemer Cut-Off did as well.
Most of the progressives in the area are dissatisfied with some of the endorsements we saw.
With city elections coming up, (as well as the democratic run-off) we have decided its time to group together to evaluate and promote candidates based on their progressive platforms, their level of education, and their response to the pressing issues rather than on money given to the group, old friendships, pay backs and expectations.
Let me know, either through email, phone call, facebook or twitter if you want to be a part of the progressive movement in Bessemer.
Progressive voters have different interests depending on whether the issues are national, state, or local.
National (members of congress, president) - health care (with a public option), environment, LGBT equality, peace, national security, immigration reform, workplace equality for women, preserving a woman's right to choose, and other issues.
State - ethics reform, tax reform, constitutional reform, environment, LGBT equality and others.
Local - historic preservation and restoration of neighborhoods, ability to work with the business community, plays well with others (ability for the council and mayor to behave like grownups), community garden support, finding a way to build a rec center for teens and seniors, and other issues.
Those are just some of the issues we will be evaluating candidates on.
Again, contact me if you want to be a part of a new direction in Bessemer.
Some of us, or people we know, fought for the right to vote. Some of us, or people we know or have written about, died for that right.
Picture credit- Bruce Davidson
People did not die so that those who came after them could behave in an embarrassing manner locally, tax the poor and reward the wealthy and pass money around secretly on the state level, or get elected and abandon those who elected you on the national (or any level). Elected officials, you know who I am talking about.
At the polling place the other day this was discussed among the supporters of different candidates who were there all day promoting our favorites. Though we were differing in opinions of who we wanted in office, we all agreed that people should be voting, and and voters should be informed.
Join our effort. Contact me.
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