The DOLLAR BILL BRIGADE is a practical, legal, non-violent, political change movement designed to restore America’s democratic republic.
The BRIGADE is a unification of common interest with the intent to elect representatives who govern to solve issues which place the people’s affairs in the highest priority. It will identify elected federal and state representatives whose actions and voting record have demonstrated to be contrary to the public interest and the principles of democracy. In many cases, elected representatives have become dysfunctional obstructionists, entrenched and obsessed with the power entrusted to them by the people. Consequently, to perpetuate their power and control, they engage in working for a small minority of special, well-funded interests which permits them to appeal to a minority political base. This action secures their interests, not the people’s interest and eventually will inhibit or destroy our democracy.
The BRIGADE provides a simple, affordable, collective technique that permits the participation of anyone, anywhere who wants to become involved in supporting candidates that foster the true principles of democracy and honest, representative governance. BRIGADE participants are people who are concerned not only with their representative, but every elected official within our governments. It is not just how your representative votes, it is the collective effect of how every representative votes.
The dollar bill was selected as the financial vehicle for the BRIGADE for many reasons, primarily because it is emblematic of George Washington as a patriot of the American Revolution. That action lead to the monumental change among the colonies creating this democratic republic we call the United States of America.
BACKGROUND
It appears our two hundred thirty year old American democracy is under attack and already has sustained tectonic change. During the past several decades the political paradigm which represented the foundation of this American democratic republic has already shifted towards another form of governance. This paradigm shift has taken place by the actions of many of our elected federal and state representatives, their political affiliates, and the judicial. It is no longer a questionable issue of fact, it is a matter of when and what will be the form of America’s “future democracy” and what will be the consequences. Will America’s new democracy be authoritarian, totalitarian, or reflect nationalism, corporatism, fascism, or a contemporary neo democracy? Daily changes are occurring as existing laws are reinterpreted, or just ignored. New laws are passed that are more restrictive and destroy existing rights. Today, oaths of office carry little or no meaning. Changes to the fundamental elements of our hard-fought democracy are already in place, structured under law, constitutionally reinterpreted, institutionalized and irreversible.
Proof of changes taking place are such events as Iran-Contra, the unilateral powers given the President post 9/11, secret laws, spying, managed news and public lies, politicization of the judiciary, political power brokers, bail outs, privatization of public and governmental functions/institutions, constitutional reinterpretations, revocation of constitutional rights, and existing laws. Furthermore, every created or real crisis is an opportunity to strip away more of the democratic rights of the people.
In addition, day-to-day issues such as sequestration, women’s rights, civil rights, wage and equal pay, marriage equality, health care, immigration, gun control, LGBT rights, choice, voting rights, environment, veteran affairs, education, unemployment, disaster aid, earned benefits, tax equality, student aid, tax deductions, etc. are on the political chopping block. It is generally accepted that the affected and disenfranchised groups are children, the disabled, the poor, those unable to vote, the elderly, and any other group that doesn’t have an organized political influence. These groups are already becoming the victims of political revisionism. Be aware the next massive group to fall victim to political exploitation is the falling “middle class.” We are in a dynamic transformation period. Other traditional political party organizations and institutions have likewise been influenced by the same political theater that influence those elected. These organizations have also failed at championing important democratic issues and have ignored the concerns of the people.
Recently some members of Congress and the voting public have engaged in classic actions that have led to controlling and perverting governing. For example, in the case of the Sandy Hook school massacre where 90% of the public wanted the legislative issue of gun registration discussed before the Congress. A number of US Senators prevented the issue from even being discussed on the floor of the Senate. Killed before a legislative word was spoken. In the House, leadership will not even bring to the floor issues of major concern, but will vote on bills that benefit their contributors like the farm bill. This recent bill provides subsidies to land owners not to grow anything, while stripping food programs from the bill. This family of food programs eliminated provided nutritional opportunities to the elderly, children and the poor, but also cut out all food stamps programs, even to those military families with members serving on active duty.
In another case, the voters chose for their representative a disgraced elected official who lied about his whereabouts, used public funds on public time to travel outside of the country in order to have an extramarital affair with a foreign national. That person is now a voting member of congress. In this case no meaningful challenger could raise enough funds to run an effective campaign against this candidate. The BRIGADE could have influenced a serious challenger to run against him.
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WHY & THE APPROACH
The BRIGADE approach is simple and focused. sending a powerful loud and clear message. If, as in the above Senate example, 280 million people (90% of the population) who have an interest in that issue would just allocate one dollar ($1) to fund challengers to those Senators scheduled for reelection who voted against bringing the matter for discussion before the Senate would send a clear message. Your position on that issue is defined and communicated by your dollar. By sending that dollar directly to the challengers campaigns, the BRIGADE’s interest group would effectively fund those campaigns and cast a financial vote against the incumbent. What happens when $280 million dollars are injected into opposition campaigns of ten Senators. BIG CHANGES!!! BRIGADE dollars would override the tens of millions contributed by billionaires, lobbyists, super PACs and other special interests. Just project the case if ten dollars were allocated instead of one dollar towards each of ten incumbent challengers!! Instead of $280,000,000.00 DOLLAR BILL BRIGADE challenger dollars, the BRIGADE effect would be near THREE BILLION DOLLARS in those races. Now that is a real game changer!!! I’d like to see special interests try to surpass that financial tidal wave. Many elections are determined by a few million dollars influencing swing voters.
Remember anyone can become a participant in the BRIGADE’s power. The BRIGADE concept is people empowering, a real wake-up call, and neutralizer of the billionaire effect, super PACs, and lobbyists.
Isn’t the voice and survival of democracy worth more than the price of a cup of coffee?
It is intended that the BRIGADE will be active in both primary and general elections, as well as selected state elections.
The BRIGADE provides an issue based multifaceted opportunity for easy, simple, direct, widespread nonviolent personal involvement in the election process that goes far beyond voting. Students too young to vote, those unable to vote in an election, those unable to actively and visibly participate in demonstrations, and even those living beyond the borders of the United States who have an interest in our democracy would find the BRIGADE a means of participation in the process that will ultimately define the future of America. The BRIGADE is real involvement, educational and a learning experience regarding the workings of our republic and dance of democracy.
ge 2-8-15 “THE FUTURE BEGINS TODAY!”
