a proposal for 2004

[Newdem@aol.com]

Hello, everyone:

The anti-war, anti-high stakes testing, 
anti-the-direction-our-society-is-heading movement needs a plan for mass resistance that can involve millions of 
people, that makes a strong political statement, that does not involve excessive 
individual risk, and that can be a step to more ambitious forms of collective 
action. 

Below is a strategy to proclaim loudly and clearly that we do not live in a 
democracy and that we are determined to get one.

Dave Stratman
Editor, New Democracy
newdemocracyworld.org
5 Burr Street
Boston, MA 02130
617-524-4073
**********************
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS 2004
A CALL FOR MASS REFUSAL
from NEW DEMOCRACY

Our government sent 160,000 troops to invade and occupy Iraq in a war based 
on lies. The Democratic Party and the media have been fully complicit in this 
criminal aggression. Meanwhile the government makes war on working-class 
Americans. It gives tax cuts to the wealthy, attacks pensions and health care, and 
ships jobs overseas.
    The war in Iraq war exposed the huge chasm between our system and real 
democracy. In a real democracy, people would be truthfully informed, not 
systematically lied to, by their government. We would be encouraged to debate peace 
and war fully. Our young people would not be sent to murder other innocent 
people in the name of "liberating" them. 
    We live in a fake democracy, a government of the rich, by the rich, and 
for the rich
    The rulers are using the 2004 presidential campaign to keep us from 
seriously questioning the system from which have sprung the Iraq war and countless 
other wars and social wrongs, pretending that electing Kerry or Dean or 
Kucinich will change society. The elections are designed to create an illusion of 
democracy to prevent real democracy from emerging.
     We need to refute the lie that our government represents us. We should 
refuse to vote in the 2004 presidential elections--refuse to participate in the 
lie. 
     New Democracy calls for Mass Refusal to Vote in the 2004 presidential 
elections. 

TAKE THE PLEDGE:

• "Because we live in a fake democracy run by war criminals and servants of 
giant corporations; 
• Because our government attacks the values and livelihood of ordinary people;
• Because the Republicans and Democrats collaborated to bring about a war of 
aggression;
• Because the elections provide only the illusion of democracy;
• Because democratic change will only come about through a mobilized people; 
for all these reasons
I agree not to vote in the 2004 presidential election and work instead for 
real democracy."

 Please circulate this Call or post it on your web site. Please send names 
and affiliations of signers for posting to organizers@massrefusal.org

WORK FOR REAL DEMOCRACY

• Copy and distribute this Call. Sign it yourself,  collect other signatures, 
and send us the names.
• Hold teach-ins about the war and the attack on working people here at home. 
• Ask organizations, clubs, and religious groups to discuss and debate this 
proposal.
• Have a coffee at your home to discuss what's happening in our country and 
how to change it.
• Invite a speaker from New Democracy to your event, no matter how large or 
small.
• Contribute money to this campaign for printing and travel expenses and for 
radio and TV ads.
• Get in touch with New Democracy. Call Doug Fuda, 617-323-7213, or John 
Spritzler, 617-556-9637. Write us at P.O. Box 427, Boston, MA 02130. 
Newdem@aol.com, organizers@massrefusal.org Visit our sites: newdemocracyworld.org, 
massrefusal.org.
_________________________________________
New Democracy works for democratic revolution