Final Version of Our Claremont Manifesto

The Claremont Manifesto

	Our Cover

Please see below for much more information
on this extraordinary project.

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Please see below for the details
 of all our events, which are
summarized in the column to the right.

THE FALL TV SEASON IS UPON US, EVEN IN CLAREMONT

The Democratic Club of Claremont television crew has begun production of programs after a summer hiatus. With Ivan Light as host and a behind-the-scenes crew of Howard Stellar, director, Laura Ditte Lo, graphics, and Jack and Carolee Monroe, cameras, the focus of topics continues to be two-fold: addressing current political hot-button issues and honoring local Democrats for their contributions to our Party. All programs are aired on Time Warner Cable Channel 29 in the cities of Claremont, Covina, and Pomona.

The first topic for our Thursday program, “Claremont Democratic Forum,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. is: “Health Care Reform.” Ivan interviews DCC member and former health care administrator Eric Andersson, who brings with him his experiences of managing developing technology, restructuring healthcare financing and payment, creating and managing alternate delivery systems, and organizing physicians.

During our Friday program. “Democrats: People and Ideas,” which airs at 8:00 p.m., DCC member and former Democratic candidate for the Assembly, Sally Alexander, discusses her life, including her long participation in politics, with Ivan. Sally has worked in private business, volunteered for many civic groups, and founded the Democratic Club of West Orange County.

If you do not have access to Time-Warner Cable, please be aware that these programs may soon be available on the web!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

If you can do a two hour shift at the Democratic table at the Claremont Farmer’s Market on Sunday mornings from time to time (once a month would be appreciated), please contact Gar Byrum at 621-9730.  If you’d like to help staff our booth on Village Venture day (October 27), please contact Carolee Monroe at 626-8122  We need you – please help!!

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED

While you are frustrated wishing there was something you could do to stop President Bush from invading Iran, at least there is something you can do to help the Democratic Club gain more members or at least increase the attendance at club events.

Sally Alexander has volunteered to chair a Transportation Committee to assist members who need a ride in order to attend club meetings.  Sally will keep a list of those who will offer rides and will match them with those who need a ride.  If you fit either category, call her at 714-654- 8085 (cell phone) or E-mail her at SallyAlexander10@aol.com.

PLATFORM IDEAS SOLICITED

The California Democratic Party invites all Democrats to propose items for inclusion in the 2008 Democratic Party platform.  Send your input to cali4us@cadem.org.  Testimony will begin in mid-November, so don’t procrastinate.

MEETINGS & EVENTS IN OCTOBER AND BEYOND

On Monday, October 29, Sam Pedroza, a member of the Claremont City Council, will provide an up-date on City matters to the general membership.  The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. in the usual location – Porter Hall in Pilgrim Place, in the middle of the fork at the west end of Sixth St.

On Friday, November 2, Eric Andersson, DCC member and a former healthcare administrator, will discuss “Achieving a Successful American Program of Universal Healthcare” at the “first Friday” luncheon, in the China Star restaurant on Foothill Blvd.  Arrive at noon for family-style lunch, which costs $10, including tea, tax and tip.  Announcements usually begin around 12:45 p.m., followed immediately by the speaker.  Adjournment is at 2:00 p.m.

The general membership meeting on November 26 will feature Claudia Strauss, Professor of Anthropology and Chair of Claremont’s MoveOn.org unit.  Her topic will be “Framing a Progressive Democratic Message: My Fieldwork in North Carolina.”

December’s “first Friday” luncheon will feature Marjorie Cohn, former resident of Claremont and current President of the National Lawyers Guild as well as author of a recent book, Cowboy Republic, which describes the crimes of the Bush administration.

The holiday party will be Sunday, December 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the home of Eric and Beverly Andersson, 1066 Fuller Drive in Claremont, near the intersection of Padua Ave. & Mt. Baldy Rd.  Additional information will be provided as soon as the committee completes its plans.

Contact Bob Gerecke at 626-2858 for carpool information if you’d like to attend a fund-raiser for the California Democratic Council on Sunday, October 28, 5:00 p.m. at 401 N. Cedar Drive, West Covina.  $25 per person or $40 per couple.  Also RSVP to 800-446-9709 or e-mail info@cdc-ca.org.  The CDC is the founder of the Democratic club movement in California and continues to train and network clubs.

On Tuesday, October 30, 6:00 p.m., a Presidential Debate Watch and Straw Poll will occur in Burbank.  $25 per person, to benefit the USA-PAC which funds Congressional candidates in swing districts.  Contact Gar Byrum at 621-9730 for further information.

Special note: Beginning January 2008, the noon luncheon series will be moved to the SECOND (instead of the first) Friday of each month.  The location, China Star restaurant, will remain the same.

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The Claremont Manifesto is designed to suggest
a new vision and program
to capture the hearts and minds
of the American people.

It represents an appeal to Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike-to consider the renewal of the vision of the U.S. as a Commonwealth in which people of good will cooperate for the common good as well as for individual fulfillment. It asks them to consider a return to the view of our society first advocated by our nation's Founders -- the view of America as a Commonwealth in which we all work together to create a better, more peaceful and just world for ourselves and for our children. Based upon a wide array of polls and other data, we are confident that this is a vision most Americans now share.

Too often, those of us engaged in trying to effect change focus only on one particular issue of immediate concern at a time. Too seldom do we lift our heads to look at the broader issue -- just what sort of city or nation or world we really envision building for our children -- and how our position on any specific issue fits into that larger, more comprehensive vision or narrative.

We have attempted in The Claremont Manifesto:

• first, to articulate a clear vision,
• then, to identify a series of critically important issues that need to be addressed to make that vision a reality, and
• finally, to specify the fundamental principles upon which to base the specific programmatic policies needed to deal with each issue.

We hope that you will agree with us that this is a much needed and useful enterprise.

We offer it for your thoughtful reading and consideration. There are several format "flavors" of the document, any of which can be read on-line or printed. Just click on the line that suits your needs. Additionally, all versions begin with an executive summary which enables you to quickly get an overview of the document.

• Microsoft Word (.doc) version for 8.5x11.0 paper
• Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) version for 8.5x11.0 paper
• Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) version in booklet format
• HTML version for web page

We sincerely seek your counsel as to the merits of what we have written. We encourage you to use the postage paid response form reached via this link to share your thoughts with us.  This form also may be used to request that a bound, printed version be sent to you.

Just print out a postage paid response form and complete the requested information. Then put the pages together (please do NOT staple them), fold them in thirds with the return address visible, and then TAPE, do NOT Staple, the pages together and mail the form to us.

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Updated listing for the Executive Committee

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Democratic Presidential Candidates

Here we go! We are starting a web page for all the candidates. The current eight and any late-entering candidates each will have space for their photograph, a brief statement, with their web site and all their contact information.

As the campaigns progress, we'll try to keep you informed of any significant updates. Since the two leading candidates are predicted to acquire money chests of a billion dollars, your suggestions for worthy news items will help us keep up with the media onslaught. Here's Page 1:

Note that the links to their web sites are active. Just "click" and you will be transferred in the blink of an eye.

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Stay Tuned for forthcoming editorial content!

The Democratic Club of Claremont Has Its Own Cable TV Programs

The Democratic Club of Claremont continues to produce two half-hour programs on Time Warner Cable Channel 29, Thursday evening at 8:30 PM, and Friday evening at 8:00 PM, respectively.  You can watch them live with no commercials!  And of course you always can record them if you are busy those evenings, as many people are.

claremontdemocrats@yahoo.com

(909)-626-2858

P.O. Box 1201, Claremont, CA 91711