March against the 'War on Women'

Joyce's Photo Essay

April 28, 2012 - Denver, CO

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

Women are Mad and They will Remember in November

Last week I attended the We Are Women Colorado march against the War on Women.  There were women of all ages, ranging from great-grandmothers to infant girls.  Most refreshingly, there were many men supporting their women as well.  We met at Civic Center Park in Denver and heard lots of enthusiastic speakers including, politicians, candidates and civic leaders.  A great band ‘Foxfield Four’ provided great music and even a mini-concert at the conclusion of the march.

I came away exhausted but exhilarated by the participants, the music and some much needed exercise.  We walked around the Civic Center and the State Capitol before retuning to the park.  The Denver Police department were great, holding the traffic at all intersections to allow all marchers to cross. 

  

The big message is, Women don’t want to go back to the 60s and seventies to the days where you were literally doomed to reproduce on a whim rather than plan your life and have a successful career in addition to having the number of children you can afford to care for and feed.   They are not going to vote for the party (Republicans) that has legislatively attacked women’s economic and reproductive rights and have even bigger plans to do away with it in a Republican administration.  Just look at the 29 states with anti-abortion governors that are a part of the 2010 sweep of Tea-Party governors and legislators who have already introduced or passed such laws at the state level.  What out for that boiler-plate legislation that has been written by groups like the Koch brothers and American Crossroads (Karl Rove’s group).  The overwhelming Republican votes against the ‘Violence Against Women Act’ and the unrivaled attempts to get rid of Planned Parenthood, the largest health-care provider for women in our country.  In addition they are trying to get rid of numerous federal programs that aid women and children. 

 

I won’t say more, I’ll let my photos and their signs tell the story! These women aren’t going to be putting any aspirin between their legs!  Vote for the people who best represent your interests.  Vote Democratic!!!!    See my March against the War on Women post to see the photos!

Participate in the Democratic Process

  This means more than just voting!

I just spent a month participating in the American election process.  My first participatory endeavor was to attend the Colorado Democratic Convention in Pueblo, CO.  There were lots of enthusiastic people and all of them, to a person were pledging to help re-elect President Barack Obama in December.

It was a diverse group of citizens representing all ages, all ethnic groups, men and women and an age span that defies enumerating. It was exciting and refreshing to be in a group that actually looks like America.  Even more refreshing was the unified commitment to fighting against the Republican rhetoric that Corporations are not people. Another recurring theme was that Big Money is not going to take away our constitutional Rights and control our government.

Everyone attending had been elected from their precinct or district to speak on behalf of the constituents they represented.  My big hope is that the rest of the Democratic electorate will be as excited and as committed to keeping our country and it’s citizens safe.  I hope they are Committed to keeping our middle-class, seniors and students safe from pernicious budget cuts that will disable us and send us into the same tailspin as Europe is experiencing.  We want to put people to work, re-building the infrastructure, repairing roads and bridges that are in danger of collapsing.  Put construction workers to work rebuilding our schools and other public buildings.

We all must take part.  No one can stand back and expect the other guy to do it!  The time is now for all of us to act.  We are making progress out of the 2008 recession, but we have a ways to go yet.  We don’t want to go back 50 or 60 years to the period that Republicans want to take us.

Here are some points to remember:

The stakes couldn’t be higher….

Major pushback points:

1.   Mitt Romney has been radically anti-women in the primaries

2.   Mitt Romney wants to repeal Affordable Health Act (Obabmacare)

3.   Mitt Romney Constantly shifts positions

4.   Mitt Romney Economic plan heavily favors the billionaires over the middle class

5.   Mitt Romney backs the Ryan Budget and wants to end Medicare as we know it.  Wants to put Seniors on a voucher system

Democrats need to spend the next 6-1/2 months hammering these points home.  Don’t let the etch-a-sketch candidate move back to the middle

·      Opportunity exists only for the top 1% in our country

·      We want full healthcare

·      Safe environment

·      We only need 25 seats to win back the house

·      Repeat continuously, Osama Bin Laden is dead and Detroit is alive!

Republicans vs. Democrats will be clearly defined in this election

                    R = reverse                  D = drive or forward

Some of the things Democrats want:

1.   To make sure every eligible citizen can vote

2.   Battles against women that were fought 50 years ago have to be won again

3.   College opportunity for all kids

4.   Support for the Asset and Dream Act

5.   Fairness for all

This will be the biggest grass-roots campaign in history!  Get involved!!!  Join Organizing for America when they call and ask for you help.  Even if you only have an hour to give, it is better than sitting back doing nothing.  More than ever we have a chance to make a difference in the outcome of this election.  Be sure to see the DVD “The Koch Brothers Revealed”.  It is available at your friendly , nearby Organizing for America meeting.