DNC Questionnaire
Rachel Binah (incumbent)
(received 5/25/08 2:59 PM)
What qualifies you, in terms of your organizing work, to represent progressive values on the E-Board? or
Why should progressives on the CDP E-Board vote for you as a DNC delegate?.
Many of us have an important (as Christine Pelosi says in her book,) "calling" to politics. (Otherwise, we wouldn't spend all our time and all our money to be involved!) The subject of these 'callings' vary between us but, in combination, include all of the major progressive issues of our time. Of course we are generalists in the sense that we care about all of the issues on the Democratic Party Platform list -- but we are also "specialists". Most of us work together as a team to cover all the bases.
I am your voice for the environment on the DNC.
My major concern is the environment (I am the Chair Emeritus of the Environmental Caucus, served on the Platform Committee as Chair of the Environmental Plank, and also on the Resolutions Committee)-- but even in that general category, I must chose one or two major things upon which to focus. I, along with others of the community in which I live, have been instrumental in protecting the coast of California from new offshore oil development. If I had no focus but picked ALL important issues, I would have no clout on those I feel are most important to ME.
The best advice I have ever been given: I was told by, former Representative Sala Burton (member of congress representing San Francisco) that when I walk into a room, the elected officials in that room should know that I want no offshore oil -- without my having to say a word.
We have to pick our battles. Each of us has an area of expertise to offer in order make this a better and, yes more progressive, country.
That said, here are the answers to your issue questions.
If you are an incumbent DNC member, what have you done as a DNC member to
promote the progressive agenda on the following issues:
A) Ending the US occupation of Iraq
B) Eliminating Poverty
C) Promoting Universal Single-Payer Healthcare
D) Ensuring Election Integrity (protecting each vote to ensure it is counted as cast)
E) Preventing a US attack on Iran
F) Preserving a free and open Internet
G) Impeaching or indicting Bush and Cheney
H) Redirecting California's resources to support education, not incarceration
I) Protecting LGBT Rights and Promoting Marriage Equality
If you are not a DNC incumbent, what have you done to address the issues enumerated above?
a) Iraq War: In the months before the Iraq invasion, I spoke at a plenary session of the DNC regarding the 2000 pound elephant in the room about which none of the presenters was speaking. I begged the DNC to take a position in opposition to what appeared to be, and ultimately was, a rush to a war with a country not involved in the events of September 11th. At that time, there were millions of people marching in the streets of the major cities of the world. I was the only person to speak openly and perhaps with some insistent and consistent naivete at that particular meeting -- although most were, and still are, in total opposition to our involvement in Iraq!
The DNC was not taking a position for two reasons.
#1 Because a few of our elected officials were in support of the war (because they had been given erroneous or outright untrue information) and some were afraid they would be viewed as unpatriotic if they didn't support the administration. (You may remember that those were the days when 9/11 was linked over and over again to Iraq even though to many of us there was no connection. You will also remember that although there was only one vote against entering Afghanistan, most Democrats voted against going to war with Iraq.)
#2 They were focusing on the presidential election of 2004 and felt the DNC should concentrate on the issues in that election process. They actually believed that the war would be over in "6 weeks"!
Our country and ALL THAT WE CARE ABOUT is suffering from the hemorrhaging of money and loss of life because of this needless and irrational war.
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b) Eliminating Poverty: I have not been able to eliminate poverty but do contribute money and time for various organizations. (food bank, children's fund for support services, etc.) I support the Democratic Party platform. I also strongly support unions and working families. I am a member of the CTA and the Labor Caucus. Good paying jobs -- at a living wage -- are an important part of the elimination of poverty -- as are health care and education and many other considerations. I support minimum wage increases. I support a Living Wage. I support the need for homeless people to get help in the form of places to live, shelters, low cost housing, rent control and for those who do not wish to live in shelters, places to shower (keep clean), get health care and food.
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c) Universal Single Payer Health Care: The only way we can have quality universal health care is if we eliminate the middle man. (insurance companies) I have expressed my opinion on this issue verbally and in letters to every elected official with whom I have contact. I also helped to work on the platform language in several cycles.
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d) Making each vote count: I was involved with my county's choice and selection of voting equipment and we have a paper trail for it. I supported Debra Bowen for Secretary of State.
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e) Invading Iran: The reason I endorsed Bill Richardson for President is because he was the first one of the candidates to say we must make peace with our enemies through negotiation --talking being the most obvious and important aspect of negotiating. As a 5 time nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize and our Ambassador to the UN, I felt he would be the best of the candidates to create renewed respect for our country in the world and avoid unnecessary conflict and outright war.
Invading Iran appears to me to be a foolish and dangerous idea at which we would not only fail (because we do not have the troop levels to support -- or the money to supply even if we did)but would further disrupt the middle east and not help our neighbors, friends or allies. All-together a frightening thought........ and one I strongly oppose. Our country is hemoraging from the war effort in Iraq.
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f) Free & Open Internet. I supported the resolution, passed at our Executive Board and Convention, to that effect.
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g) Impeachment/Indictment: Impeachment is too good for Bush and Cheney. They are war criminals and should be in prison for the rest of their lives. (I do NOT support the death penalty). I don't think there is any question that they would already have been impeached if we had the votes in both the House and the Senate to over-ride a Republican veto!
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h)Education over Incarceration: I am a member of the California Teacher's Association, a mentor for teenagers in my community, and a strong supporter of education. I teach political action in the various high schools in my community. Obviously, unless education is available to all, we will continue to put more and more people in prison.
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i) Marriage Equality: I support the LGBT community and believe the quest for civil rights and equality is universal. Our society is better off when people are encouraged to form lasting committed relationships and marriage equality for all should be a goal.
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I have added 5 new categories which were not on your list:
J. IMMIGRATION REFORM. Not on your list ? HOW COME? I have marched in solidarity with the undocumented immigrants in my community because they have given so much to us and because I believe they should be welcomed, given respect -- AND drivers licenses and citizenship if they want it.
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K. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE RIGHTS Not on your list?
I support a woman's right to chose what to do with her body. I served on the board of a woman's shelter/hotline for rape and domestic violence. The CAARE project.
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L. ENVIRONMENTAL OIL/ALTERNATIVE ENERGY EFFORTS -- there are no environmental issues on your questionnaire.........
see above.
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M. SENIOR Issues -- not on your list
I served on the board of the regional senior center on the coast of my county. I am especially concerned about day programs for the elderly who have Alzheimers and Parkinson's disease. My father died of Alzheimer's Disease and I took care of both parents before they died -- as most people in this country will have to do, in one way or another -- if their parents live long enough. These are issues for people both old and young.
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N. MENTAL HEALTH - not on your list of questions
I am the former Chair of the Mental Health Advisory Board of Mendocino County and a strong advocate for services for people with emotional and developmental disability difficulties.
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O. DEATH PENALTY - I oppose
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If you had been in Congress, how would you have voted for the most recent 178-billion dollar war package?
If I had been in Congress, I would have voted against going into or funding the war. Further I would have voted to give vets benefits for education and health care.
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Have you ever supported an insurgent primary candidate or someone who is challenging
an incumbent on the issues? Explain.
I once (in the 1980's) had the fantasy of challenging my then congressman who was not willing to publicly object to or work against off shore oil development. (This in a district which comprises 1/3 of the California coast and strongly opposed all offshore drilling!) After forming an exploratory committee and seriously considering a candidacy, I didn't run, because among MANY other reasons, I realized I didn't want to be a generalist in congress.) The congressman did eventually lose his seat -- and for that issue.
It is a very serious matter to challenge an incumbent Democrat. To support that kind of undermining effort, no matter how well meant, must never be perceived to be a frivolous nor self-aggrandizing action. And more importantly, must be possible to achieve without loosing that seat to a Republican. I know of no one with whom I agree completely all of the time. I even disagree with myself upon occasion.....................
We will not succeed in having a more progressive party, or country, or turn red areas blue, without understanding that an elected official MUST be a suitable fit for his or her district. My own current congressman is a Blue Dog Democrat. Although we sometimes disagree, he voted against the war originally, against funding the war, and supports the environmental issues about which I care so passionately. I have supported him -- although he is not a clone of me -- and will continue to do so. He represents our district VERY WELL.
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WHAT EXPERIENCE HAS PREPARED YOU TO RUN AS A DNC MEMBER?
Please do not discriminate against people who have been in the party for more than the last election cycle. We have something to offer. We have made valuable relationships with people from all over the country. We use that access well, on your behalf. We care about what you care about. Our strategies may sometimes be different, but our goals are the same. You can teach us some new tricks. We can teach you some things too. In order to be successful, we need everyone!
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