NY, New York City

hi. this is Steve Mantz. is anyone else here who was at the manhattan meetings? i was at a few.

This movement has promise as long as it can grow in a logical and well thought out direction. Citizens need to take back our government from the corporations and special interests. Nothing can be more troubling than to become an indentured surf of a "New World Order" run by the powerful elites.

I hope in the near future, Long Island, having been a hot bed for conservatism for sometime, can be a place where liberal minded people can organize to promote this movements agenda.

If anyone has intentions of a Long Island meeting place in Nassau and/or Suffolk counties to expand this grassroots effort, please post your ideas.

Also, I think polling the groups on several different initiatives and topics can keep the movement focused, resulting in a more effective effort.

Talk is cheap. Action is what makes the difference. By speaking out as a group in public forums and challenging our public officials to answer the tough questions is how the message gets out. And when that happens the media will take notice and spread the word. Isn't that what Democracy is all about?

I can only hope, that in the rush to counter the mayhem of the Republicans, Democrats and the shrieks of the Tea Party, the well meaning folks of this early movement tread thoughtfully enough to preserve and protect the potential of public empowerment. Because that would be the most profound gift we could give each other and the generations to come.

We live in the time of nodding heads, when corporations and politicians send surveys that reinforce their own agendas. Few are looking for a new paradigm. Most want simply to justify their own actions while pretending involvement.

For me, I'll take my coffee black - no sugar, no cream. Imagine a world re imaged around real human need, not career pols and self serving corporations.

I was chatting with some folks at the Bleeker Street Tavern meeting today (March 13th), and it sounds like we need a Brooklyn meeting. So I'm looking for suggestions regarding time and location.

This could be on March 27th, the next official meeting, or earlier.

There's Tea Lounge, in Park Slope, which is big.
There's also Vox Pop Cafe, which is suitable since it kind of functions as a community center.

Ideas?

Thought some people would be interested in taking a peek.

http://nyliberalstateofmind.blogspot.com/

Fellow Citizens,

I may have stumbled upon the answer.

I have authored a book that explains a specific strategy to regain control of our federal government. Though listening carefully, I’ve heard of no other solutions being offered so far. The book includes as yet unspoken analysis, entirely unique perspectives, a full explanation of the logic leading to my conclusions and a step-by-step plan that could enable the masses to re-establish control of our Federal government. Here's a sample

Votimate Our Politics

Our country needs a new way of doing business. Under the current system politicians have many motivations. This strategy could reduce their need for multiple motivations. This strategy could help create a system where politicians are:

Votimated

Politicians Motivated for Votes Only

PREFACE

We’ve heard from the Politicians, the Pundits, the Experts and from all of those who can buy a platform from which to speak, yet nary an answer for that which ails our country. Clearly it is getting worse with no end in sight. Perhaps it is time to hear from “Joe Public.”

I can’t say that I speak for the 99%, but I come from the 99% and after losing everything, perhaps even the bottom percent. How can the 1% get away with robbing and causing such harm to the 99% when the 99% of us control the vote? Armed only with the logic of a layman and the urgent need of a pauper I drilled down deep into this dilemma and made some discoveries that might be worth hearing.

The first several chapters offer unique, unspoken perspectives, intended to expose, categorize, organize and simplify the basic core issues within the bigger issue, our politics, or more specifically, our lack of effective governance for the 99%. The next several chapters offer unique comparative analysis, completely “out of the beltway” ideas and surprisingly possible solutions to the core problems. The final few chapters include stunning, previously undisclosed analysis exposing clearly why we must take action soon - and what the result of taking action could mean for us.

This is not just conceptual. I propose specific action. This is “nuts and bolts.” This is “what’s the next step”, a potential roadmap to restoring a government that works for us, the 99%. Restoring our democracy is the only issue worth talking about. Until we adapt and upgrade our political system, the 99% will continue to lose. Until we do, nothing else matters. Without a functioning government, we have nothing.

INTRODUCTION

I’m not experienced with politics and have no education in economics. Like many, I’ve lost everything and see little happening to bring me hope while watching our country implode seemingly like never before. This is saying a lot because at 54 years old, I survived the horrific Richard Nixon 30,000-dead-to-get-re-elected-war/impeach-a-crook-Watergate era.

Many of us are in need of hope. They say that need is the mother of invention. America is in need of solutions. While most solutions to complex issues include in-depth analysis and long explanations, true also in this case, like most straightforward arguments, mine too has a short answer. So I’ll cut to the chase and work my way backward.

In January 2010, while watching the disturbing display of the four “Too Big To Fail” banksters acting innocent and clueless in front of Congress, I found myself wondering, “How can our country become as successful as these corporations have become?” Even more to the point, how can we, Joe Public, benefit from our government like their shareholders benefit from their successful banking corporations? After all, who would argue that those corporations have pimped our system and punked us all? We know it. They know it. Everyone knows it.

Simply put, it is an industry licensed by, governed by and residing in the United States of America that has become more powerful than the Federal Government of The United States of America. That’s a mouthful. Other than two senseless wars, this is the worst realization of my lifetime. It’s huge. It cannot be overstated. It is bleeding us dry and I don’t see it changing on it’s own. It has stolen our Democracy. But what on earth can we do about it?

The status quo approach would be to peck away at it with legislation that will start with good intentions, but with powerful lobby bribes end up watered down, rendered ineffective and/or reversed by the next congress and administration. First, it is: our political/governing system needs an overhaul from the bottom up. It no longer works, which begs one of many questions, “which specific part is broken?”

To that purpose, I analyzed the differences between how the Wall Street banksters and health insurance providers do business from within their system – the free market corporate model – and compared it to the way the U.S. Government, does business from within our current political/governing system. I drilled down deep and what I found astounded me and might surprise you too. They are very different. Ergo, it’s the differences in the two structures/systems that allow the banksters and insurance providers to be so successful while operating from within theirs and what makes our government fail while operating from within ours, which allows private industry to dominate us.

By comparing the structures side-by-side it became obvious; the deficiencies in our system of governing are glaring and alarming when compared to their adapted, efficiently incentivized system. Upon identifying it the ultimate question arose, “how can we fix it?” The answer to fixing it is surprisingly obvious and has been readily apparent all along, despite the requisite in-depth analysis and long explanation disclosed herein.

My argument’s short answer is to propose applying elements of their successful free market corporate model to our system of politics and governance and we, Joe Public, should be rewarded like shareholders of a successful corporation. Once you go to this simple, logical perspective fantastic advantages naturally arise benefiting the citizens of America, not just the chosen few as it is now. On the following pages I will propose specific, step-by-step methods to reigning in the parasites.

Paradigm Shift

In my view, we can’t expect this type of “system overhaul” perspective and change to come from – or to be driven by – politicians fighting for their careers within our broken system. Ever since special interest groups have been counting profits in the billions, maybe even trillions, they’re far too powerful and already own our political/governing system.

If ever a “grass roots movement” were needed, it is for this “paradigm shift.” The 99% must conceive and drive this change and do it soon or our beloved country will implode from the unintended consequences of insatiable special interest capitalism. So let’s take a page from those who are doing it to us and make it work for us. With the strategy outlined herein, “we the shareholders” can take our government back from special interests.

United and armed with this plan, we can simply insist.

To find out more, visit votimate.com. I have lowered the cost for the “download” format to my cost only, $1.49, through Friday, March 12. You can find the “download” option just under the “Add to Cart” button on the right side of my publisher’s page. By Saturday, March 13th, the price will go back to $10 for the immediate download and Ebook versions. You won't be disappointed.

Best wishes, JP Sayles

I was wondering if you guys believe we, as liberals, should create a manifesto of general guidelines that all members of the Coffee Party could agree upon, potentially to include such themes as:

*Government is an agent of the people, which is why we elect Representatives and Senators, and as such, government is expected to protect the citizenry with federal programs

OR

*Members of government must be held accountable for their actions.

I'm 17, so, I'm just starting out with this political activism and I've wanted for the better part of a year for a Coffee Party to be formed so I could join. Now, here I am! XD

Anyone want to comment on what happened at the first meeting?

I think it would be best to avoid trying to use typical labels - liberal, neoconservative, etc to define something that has begun for the intent of NOT playing into existing stereotypes. If the coffee party is truly grassroots and about supporting government for the good of the people, let's use regular, descriptive words to talk about the practical goals we would like to see. Jumping into labeling is human nature, we want to define and categorize people and viewpoints, but look where that has got us. The coffee party is supposedly an alternative to rampant labeling and the entrenched partisanship that results. Let's just be you and me working on solving problems and moving forward.

I cannot attend this Sunday but can somebody take down some form of minutes or general notes of the proceedings and post it on the facebook page. Just so we can get an idea of where this all might be heading.

Since we already have 81 members and are growing rapidly, maybe we should think about meeting in person. How about a coffee shop near Houston Street on Sunday around 4pm. I am open minded about meeting spots, those Housing Works is good for this kind of meeting. We can brainstorm, take notes, and post it for the group.

You cannot win a political fight anymore by catergorizing people. Conservative, moderate, Liberal, Progressive, Miniorty, are just words and can often be used against you. Once you describe yourself as a whatever your views are for the most part assumed and predetermined. I feel that we should examine POLICY, FUNDING, HOW A BILL HELPS OR HURTS THE PEOPLE, WHAT CAN BE GAINED OR LOST BY SUPPORTING OR FIGHTING A BILL, A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL OR THEIR POSITION, HOW SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS NEGATIVELY OR POSITIVELY AFFECT THE THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT, ETC. I have more to say on this topic but not now. I look forward to future encounters. A great idea the coffee party. Let's see if we can make it work.

I don't tweet, blog, or webpage. I do however email. I once was a Deaner. I now live in NYC. Let's meet. I know places that can be used and are free.