War, faith, and a new social contract

This is the second of two posts from the Take Back America conference held this week in Washington, D.C. More than 2,000 progressive activists and organizers attended the event. Julie Fanselow was at the event as an invited guest (independent of her work at Everyday Democracy). Here are some of the interesting stories she heard:

• "A New Social Contract" was the theme of a panel moderated by Miles Rapoport, who is the president of Demos, described on its website as "a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization committed to building an America that achieves its highest democratic ideals." (He also is a member of the Board of Directors of the Paul J. Aicher Foundation, which oversees our work here at Everyday Democracy.) In this panel, Kate Kahan of the National Partnership for Women and Families, policy analyst Karen Kornbluh, and Julie Smith of Ohio Acorn discussed ways that the United States might replace or augment government programs that were designed for the 20th century with policies and programs that recognize modern realities. Rapoport noted how, after World War II, businesses, labor, and government all collaborated to increase prosperity for everyone. "It was public policy," he said. "It wasn't an accident." And yet the old contracts left a lot of people behind, notably people of color and women. They also were formed at a time when unions were stronger and the U.S. faced little global competition. So what - beyond the "plastic net" of mortgage and credit-card debt - might be part of the tool kit we use to rebuild the middle class? The panelists mentioned living wages (including a much higher minimum wage), paid sick days and an expanded Family and Medical Leave Act so workers can care for their families and not lose their jobs, and other policies that value families and individuals.

• As U.S. involvement in Iraq entered its sixth year this week, ten congressional candidates led by Darcy Burner of Washington state used the conference to unveil what they call A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq. Their central point is that America shouldn't have to decide between an endless U.S. presence in Iraq and a sudden, destabilizing withdrawal. The candidates also indicated that - due to media ownership consolidation and war fatigue - many citizens have disengaged from the discussion. "The American public must also re-engage in the discussions and decision-making about how to proceed," the plan's text says. Although the plan's 10 original endorsers are all Democrats, it cites pending legislation including several bills with strong bipartisan support, including the Media Ownership Act of 2007 and the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2007.There also was a lot of talk at the conference about the "Iraq Recession," with speakers pointing out that the cost of the war in Iraq - more than a half a trillion dollars so far, and estimated up to $3 trillion once related costs are tallied - has prevented the United States from dealing with domestic spending needs at home.

• A panel on "Religious Activism and the Public Good" featured a lively discussion among several prominent clergy members and community organizers over recent shifts in some parts of the evangelical movement away from  issues like abortion and gay marriage and toward environmental activism and poverty relief. As evangelicals begin to work with more mainline and secular activists on these issues, they will need to focus on the common ground and minimize their differences on other issues. But it also means that activists who see the world in secular terms need to respect the religious views of others. "That will be a chance for progressives to be more progressive," quipped the Rev. Brian McClaren of Sojourners/Call to Renewal.

• Speaking at the final session on Wednesday, Deepak Bhargava of the Center for Community Change noted that political candidates from both major parties are busily seeking the votes of people of color and of low-income and working-class Americans. The big question, he asked, is whether low-income communities and communities of color will be as central to elected officials' agendas in 2009 as they are this year, when the elections are at stake. He advocated for a governing philosophy that benefits us all, but pays special attention to people on the margins.
  

Were you at Take Back America? What did you take away from the experience?