We are the newly formed Kutztown Area Democratic Club.

We are a grassroots, rapidly growing organization that was formed by a group of alarmed and deeply committed citizens who believe that the current administration does not represent, and does not address the real needs of the majority of American citizens. Remember, approximately one half of American citizens who voted in the last two presidential elections did not vote for George Bush, and opposition to the policies and beliefs of the current administration is growing rapidly.

Progressive Democrats stand for government of, by and for ALL the people.  We stand for solutions to the critical issues of the day.  We stand for the most noble of things in the tradition of American government, things that are currently in jeopardy. 

• We are committed to grassroots activism in government and the electoral process.

• We support the rule of law.
  It's current erosion is exemplified by Halliburton's no-bid contracts in Iraq as well as the Supreme Court's ruling in the 2000 presidential election - a matter of state, not federal law.

• We support government accountability.
  President Bush resisted the formation of the 9/11 Commission and its' recommendations were defeated by the Congress.  There were no WMDs or a post-invasion plan for Iraq.  The new CIA chief has announced that the agency's mission is to support the administration's policies. 

• We support open, honest government.
  Critical information regarding 9/11 has been kept secret.  Other examples of secrecy and deception are VP Cheney's energy task force and the false figures provided by the Bush administration for the Medicare drug cost.

• We support checks and balances in government.
  The three branches of government are now all controlled by right wing Republicans. 

• We support the U.S. being a world leader in foreign policy.
  The Iraq war was based on "mistaken intelligence."  Over 2,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed, and over 10,000 have been injured.  Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed, mostly civilians.  It has cost the U.S. over $200 billion and the cost grows by nearly $6 billion/month.  Terrorism increases rather than diminishes and the Bush administration has no credible exit plan.  Our military is overextended and resumption of the draft grows more likely.  We oppose pre-emptive military action and support the immediate establishment of an international force in Iraq, which will end the American occupation and return Iraq to its people.

• We support maximum action against terrorists with improved intelligence and tactics as well as elimination of their sources of funding.

• We support effective domestic security - implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission and protecting our borders, ports and major targets such as nuclear power plants - all of which the Bush administration has failed to do.

• We support a balanced budget.  
  The Bush administration inherited a $236 billion surplus and replaced it with a deficit of over $400 billion.

• We support control of the government by its citizens, not corporations.
  That includes multi-national, offshore and outsourcing types.  The Bush energy plan and Medicare drug benefit as well as environmental policy in general are giveaways to corporate interests.  International trade agreements allow U.S. laws to be overridden in the interest of trade.

• We support progressive taxation.
  For the bottom 60% of Americans, the average Bush tax cut was just $304.  The median cut was $470.  The average cut for those making over $1 million/year was $112,925.  The Bush federal tax cuts are forcing increases of state and local taxes.  The Bush tax cut for incomes above $200,000 should be repealed.

• We support Social Security and oppose President Bush's proposal to privatize it.

• We support universal access to affordable health care.
  The number of Americans without health insurance increased 5.2 million during Bush's first term.  This brings the total to 45 million.  The total family premium is up more than $3,500. 

• We support jobs and a living income for working families.   During President Bush's first term, 1.8 million jobs were lost and household income declined $1,535.  We support policies such as clean energy that would create jobs as well as deterrents to outsourcing. 

• We support effective K-12 public education and affordable higher education.
  The Bush administration failed to fund No Child Left Behind and the Congress just reduced college loan eligibility.

• We support stewardship of our natural resources.
  The Bush administration is opening cherished public lands for logging and oil and gas drilling.  It is gutting the laws that protect our air, water and land.  We support clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency.

• We support personal responsibility.
  
• We support freedom to practice religion, which respects all faiths and all people.

• We support civil liberties and civil rights.
  The Patriot Act threatens civil liberties while Republicans committed minority voter suppression in 2000 and 2004.

• We support non-discrimination.

• We support the opportunity to succeed.
  During President Bush's first term the typical family's inflation-adjusted income dropped $1,535.  Under President Clinton, the typical family inflation-adjusted income rose $5,489.  Also during President Bush's first term, 4.3 million more people fell into poverty, in contrast to 6.4 rising out of poverty under President Clinton.

• We support programs to assist the most vulnerable citizens to be come self-reliant.

• We progressive Democrats are uniting to educate the public, elect candidates to local, state and federal office and enact our goals.

The rights and freedoms that we treasure have developed in America over the past 300 years, and we believe that ALL Americans are entitled to these rights and freedoms. We also believe that these privileges will only continue if we show greater respect and compassion for all human beings throughout the world. We invite anyone who reads this and is moved to get involved to come to our meetings and help us make a positive difference in the lives of ALL Americans.

The Kutztown Area Democratic Club