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Nicholas Ruiz III
for U.S. Congress 2012
FL District 24
for U.S. Congress 2012
FL District 24
| For the new wave of American progress. |
| New Deal Democrats: Jump! by Nicholas Ruiz III The GOP’s offensive rapture knows no bounds. And so it seems, the Republicratic reactionary participation knows no limit. But do progressive Democrats offer something truly different? Yes, they do – but they need help in making progressive policy happen. I’m determined to do something about it by becoming a U.S. Representative for FL-24. Progressive democratic efforts in the recent election recall success in Wisconsin, of course should be lauded, so don’t get me wrong – but should not be mistaken for strong progressive leadership or policy. Why? The fact that such a recall was necessary at all, evinces that the previous elections were mishandled and wasted. In fact, having to recall elections is by definition, regressive – not progressive. More to the point, how much was invested to ‘repeat’ elections in 2011 that just occurred in 2010? $10 million? $20 million? $40 million? According to the Green Bay Press-Gazette, the last figure of $40 million is close to the mark and would represent “…a difference of $4.4 million per race in 2011 compared with $150,862 per race in 2010.” Not to mention, all of the time, people and energy required to campaign, not once, but twice, for a ‘re-do.’ And keep in mind, these figures are for state, not federal races. So forgive me that I’m not totally overcome by the result that a state seat or two was reappropriated by the Democrats. They paid for it. The big ‘winners’ in this recall are the vendors and advertisers. And let’s ask - how many progressive candidates are languishing all over the country, at the state and federal level, women and men who could do so much collective good for America with the strong national support of like-minded people – but may never come to light in 2012 due to the money and GOTV resource vacuum possibly created by the gigantic sum of $40 million of ‘progressive’ money invested in WI 2011? Well, that’s $40 million that won’t be spent somewhere else. Consider, for example, that a federal race often costs $1 million or more – that’s 40 federal U.S. House races that won’t receive one progressive penny. How many progressive endorsements have been made? How many progressives are receiving the backing they need to change Capitol Hill for the better of America? Actor Sean Penn is backing Norman Solomon for (CA-6). Blue America, my personal favorite - has endorsed Alan Grayson for (FL-26), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) for Senate, Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and others, including myself for (FL-24). The Progressive Change Campaign Committee has endorsed Eric Griego for (NM-1). Feingold’s Progressives United has endorsed no one. Though according to the HuffPost, they’ve raised over $2 million this election cycle. Howard and Jim Dean’s Democracy for America has endorsed Ilya Sheyman for (IL-10). Ilya used to work for Democracy for America. Progressive Democrats of America have endorsed two people: Norman Solomon (a current PDA board member) and Winona Benally Baldenegro for (AZ-1). Move On, Van Jones and the American Dream roadshow have endorsed no one. As for my labor friends, no organized group of people has a greater interest in making sure progressive candidates are elected. No corporate politician will fight for union, collective bargaining and labor rights like a progressive. Yet sadly, most often, Big Labor throws its collective weight behind Republicrat after Republicrat, thus ensuring the union membership’s slow and steady demise. Why? I have no quarrel with unions, PACs and other organizational brothers and sisters, but I fear that without the kind of collective, progressively democratic solidarity that has not been seen in America since the 1930s, America will lose itself to the corporate vogue fascism of the black-hearted GOP. It’s fairly evident that such a downward spiral has already begun, dragging complicit Democrats along with the undertow. Will you help to stop it? The Congressional Progressive Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives, which has eight-three members – the number one place from which endorsements should be flying left and right for progressive Democratic candidates – has had only one member endorse anyone: Barney Frank (MA-4) endorsed candidate Ed Potosnak for (NJ-7). It’s reminiscent of an old Southern saying: “You can’t win for losing.” As progressive efforts stand today, they resemble little more than a fractured mirror that will be easily deflected by the black-hearted GOP. Progressives must come together. Always on the defense, there is no way forward. The past thirty years of progressive Democratic floundering have shown us this fact. What will 2012 bring? If Dennis Kucinich (OH-10) had his way – we wouldn’t sign so called ‘free trade’ deals, like the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, that “…puts the rights of investors and multinational corporations over the rights of American workers.” Progressive Caucus member Dennis even enlisted the help of Blue Dog Caucus member Mike Michaud (ME-2) in his imploration that the Congress reject agreements of this kind, no matter if they are brokered by President Obama. I support Dennis and Mike in this effort. If Jan Schakowsky (IL-9), another Progressive Caucus member, had it her way, Congress would pass a $250 billion short term jobs bill that aims to put people to work right now. I support Jan in this effort, too. Maxine Waters (CA-35), regarding the Tea Partiers’ mad misconception of the unemployment crisis said: “The Tea Party can go straight to hell.” She’s tired of it. So am I. And asked about President Obama’s bus escapades all over Middle America, while eschewing Other America, Maxine said: “We don’t know what his strategy is.” Increasingly, America feels that way, too. On the recent debt – austerity – downgrade trifecta – Jim McGovern (MA-3) said in summary: “I didn’t run for Congress to dismantle the New Deal.” And neither am I. We need your help. Strong, early endorsements. Volunteers. Contributions. Whatever you can. Wherever you are. Put a progressive Democrat in Congress! Please contribute now to help NRIII unseat Republican Sandy Adams in 2012 - and work toward keeping a truly Democratic tradition alive in America: and please endorse, and invite friends to endorse his campaign here: Endorse Nick! Many thanks for your support! |
| Political advertisement paid for and approved by Nicholas Ruiz III, Democratic candidate for Congress |
| Nicholas Ruiz III for Congress PO Box 1372 New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170 nicholasruizforcongress@intertheory.org |
