Movement to win a people’s govt. takes hold in WV

Latest

Katey Lauer

Editor’s note: Below are excerpts from remarks made by Katey Lauer, co-chair of West Virginia Can’t Wait, during the Oct. 10 Unite Our Fight online rally for West Virginia US Senate candidate Paula Jean Swearengin.
West Virginia Can’t Wait [is] a young and growing movement out to win a people’s government. Two years ago, a group of West Virginians got together to answer this question: What would it look like to use the vehicle of elections to build a political machine in West Virginia strong enough to take on the wealthy, good old boys club and win? This isn’t just a question for West Virginians this year. This is the question of our times. . . .Every West Virginian is working two or three jobs to get by, or knows someone who is, while stockholders make record profits.
. . .[First,] in every action we take, we must remember that our fight is with the wealthy, good old boys club and not with each other. Other working people are not our enemies. . . When we fight each other, we lose. When we fight for each other, we win. . . . [Second,] we must put our might into building alternative democratic institutions that can contend for power and win. And those two things are exactly what we’re doing in West Virginia. Two years in, 101 candidates, including Paula Jean, have signed on to a pledge to reject corporate PAC money, to never cross a picket line and to never hide from a debate. Half of those same candidates also signed on to a people’s platform that we call the New Deal for West Virginia. It contains an education plan that was written by West Virginia educators, a farming plan that was written by West Virginia farmers, a plan for people in recovery written by people in recovery. It’s the most ambitious, most bottom-up, most bold platform in West Virginia history. . . . This November, we’ll get our first slate of West Virginia Can’t Wait candidates into office. . .

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

‘I Am a Political Prisoner’ Says Jailed Immigrant Rights Activist

In this interview with Democracy Now, Journalist Maria Hinojosa describes her recent interview in an ICE detention center in Colorado with jailed immigration activist Jeanette Vizguerra.

War No More – Veterans Reflect on the Meaning of Memorial Day

Veterans for Peace say wars will not end, – and nuclear war will not be averted – unless there is a sea-change in the thinking of the U.S. people and our political leaders.

Harvard University Stands Up to Illegal Federal Government Actions

Read letter by Harvard President Alan M. Garner, about the University's stance on the Federal government's illegal actions to force Harvard to give up the school's academic independence and academic freedom.

Trump’s Big Cruel, Deadly Policy Bill is a Healthcare Heist

Outrage is rising against Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” that would give massive tax breaks to the rich while slashing Medicaid, nutrition, and clean energy. Some say 14 million people could lose health coverage.

Is FREE Electricity in our Future?

Electricity should be a right, free to all.  Yet, for-profit energy companies set prices to maximize profits to shareholders, even when users can’t afford the prices and suffer shutoffs.

More from the People's Tribune