The primary issue of my campaign will remain "ending the American wars of aggression against the people of Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan." These are no longer Republican wars; upon assuming power, President Obama asked for an additional $100 billion of funny money to expand this imperial bloodbath and the Democratic Congress obliged. When the "Emergency Supplemental" passed the U.S. House the first time, 51 Democrats cast an "anti-war" vote against the spending. When an even worse bill returned with funding included to bailout foreign banks through the International Monetary Fund (IMF), these 51 Democrats could have killed the war funding. However, 21 of them changed their mind amidst intense pressure from former 5th district rep Rahm Emanuel. Among them were local reps Jan Schakowsky and Luis Gutierrez. Current 5th District Rep Mike Quigley voted for the funding both times.
And so the wars go on.
The Democrats were brought to power in Congress and the White House on promises of changing the disastrous foreign policy posture implemented under the far-right rule of President George W Bush. Instead, they have elected to continue these wars, whilst also continuing to bailout the criminal financial institutions whose avidity has sent the international economic system teetering towards its most fantastic collapse since the Great Depression. We were promised change we could believe in, and instead have gotten short changed. All the hope in the world isn't going to bring Americans the peace and justice they so deserve and have so stridently demanded: not while we are stuck with the same two parties of Empire and Wall Street.
In addition to addressing the issues of war, the banker bailouts and greed on Wall Street, I will campaign in support of single-payer universal health care. I'm not talking about a public option; I am talking about a public system. Everybody in, nobody out!
I was fortunate enough to have completed my Masters' studies in France, where I was provided world-class health care in a timely, efficient and affordable manner. I then returned to the United States and have had to live without any coverage as I have searched for full-time work, or worked through one of the increasingly common temp agencies that people must endure in our backward system of industrial relations.
I sincerely believe we can change this ailing country by rising to the occasion, holding our heads high and remaining passionate and confident in our pursuits. We shall not let the goons and thugs that govern this city, this state and this country bully us around. They are remnants of an authoritarian past that is rapidly vanishing from view, while we are part of a vibrant future.
The Green Party vastly expanded its share of the European Parliament in this year's EU elections, with the French contingent winning as many seats as the Socialist Party, which has long been the principal party of the French left. Citizens of the world are increasingly identifying the Greens as the party most adept at addressing our planet's most pressing issues: global warming, banker greed, addiction to war, savage inequalities, urban violence, and rampant superficiality.
Here in Illinois, Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Rich Whitney finished with greater than 10% of the vote state-wide in 2006. In 2008, the Greens followed this success by running an expansive slate, with some candidates reaching into the 30% range in two-way races. In the high-profile special election to replace Rahm Emanuel in the machine-operated 5th district of Illinois, I won 7% of the vote despite just five weeks of general election campaign time.
In 2010, I will have a full 9 months between the primary and general election. What's more, I have not stopped campaigning and have continued promoting our movement and our ideals of peace, liberty and social justice.
I do believe we can make history in 2010, and it begins with you: the supporters who propelled me to an outstanding showing in this years' special election. Please help jump-start this campaign by contributing $10,20,50, up to $2400 on the website at www.mattreichel.us or by sending a check to:
Matt Reichel for Congress
1726 W. Carmen
Chicago, IL 60640
