The People's Crusade of Mike Gravel
More Like Cicero Than Quixote
By RALPH NADER
May 8, 2007
Like a fresh wind coming down from Alaska--the state he represented as a U.S. Senator from 1969--1981, Mike Gravel is determined to start a debate about the fundamentals of democracy in his quest for the Democratic Party's nomination for President.
People who heard his address before the Democratic National Committee a few weeks ago and his brief statements during the first debate between the Democratic aspirants last month may be getting the idea that this is no ordinary dark horse politician.
For over a decade, given the failures of elected politicians, Mike Gravel has been engaged in some extraordinary research and consultations with leading constitutional law experts about the need to enact another check to the faltering checks and balances--namely, the National Initiative for Democracy, a proposed law that empowers the people as lawmakers.
Before you roll your eyes over what you feel is an unworkable utopian scheme, go to http://nationalinitiative.us to read the detailed constitutional justification for the sovereign right of the people to directly alter their government and make laws.
Among other legal scholars, Yale Law School Professor, Akhil Reed Amar and legal author, Alan Hirsch, have argued that the Constitution recognizes the inalienable right of the American people to amend the Constitution directly through majority vote. What the Constitution does not do is spell out the procedures for such a sovereign right.
The right of the People to
alter their government flows from the Declaration of Independence,
the declared views of the founding fathers and the 
framers of the Constitution,
its Preamble ("We the People of the United States.do ordain
and establish this Constitution,"), Article VII and other
provisions, including the Ninth and Tenth Amendments.
Very briefly, The Democracy Amendment asserts the Power of People to make laws, creates an Electoral Trust to administer the national elections, limits the use of money in National Initiative elections to natural persons (e.g. not corporations), and enacts the National Initiative through a federal ballot, when fifty percent of the voters (equal to half of the votes cast in the most recent presidential election) deliver their votes in its favor. Voting can be through traditional and electronic modes.
The Democracy Statute establishes deliberative legislative procedures vital for lawmaking by the people, administered by the Electoral Trust, in an independent arm of the U.S. government.
Mike Gravel points out that the initiative authority to make laws now exists in 24 states and more than 200 local communities. However, the national initiative, which he envisions would have deliberate legislative procedures and would be generically independent of any curtailment by the "officialdom of government," except a judicial finding of fraud.
With the National Initiative, the people acting as lawmakers, will be able to address healthcare, education, energy, taxes, the environment, transportation, the electoral college, the Iraq war, and other neglected, delayed or distorted priorities. Legal scholar, Alan Hirsch, believes "a more direct democracy could be an important means of promoting civic maturation."
Of course these initiatives, if enacted, would still be subject to existing constitutional safeguards such as the First Amendment, equal protection, due process and the like.
No doubt, you may have many questions to be answered. If you are interested, the entire text of The Democracy Amendment and The Democracy Act are on both the above-mentioned websites.
Mr. Gravel's political positions place him high on the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Cong. Dennis Kucinich will find that he is not alone during the forthcoming debates scheduled by the Democratic Party.
Don't expect Mike Gravel to show up in the money-raising sweepstakes. For he really believes in a government of, by and for the People.
This proposal is not exactly a magnet for Fat cat money. No candidate for President from the two major parties has ever demonstrated such a detailed position regarding the sovereign power of People to amend the Constitution and make laws.
Will soundbite debates and horserace media interviews allow for such a public deliberation over the next year? Only if the People take their sovereignty seriously and take charge of the campaign trail with their pre-election, pre-primary participation in city, town and country throughout the country.
Over 2000 years ago, the ancient Roman lawyer and orator, Marcus Cicero, defined freedom with these enduring words: "Freedom is participation in power." That could be the mantra for Mike Gravel's 2008 Presidential campaign.
Ralph Nader is the author of The Seventeen Traditions
http://www.counterpunch.com/nader05082007.html
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Comments
Just partly correct, I'm afraid
Submitted on June 25th, 2007 by sangirRalph Nader was just partly correct when he wrote that Sen. Gravel is a fresh wind coming down from Alaska. Maverick Sen. Gravel is more than - he’s a smashing storm about to rock the very foundation of the concept of democracy with the bold concept of direct democracy. His Fair Tax plan will likewise shatter the regressive taxation system that we have and make it more equitable.
I think it’s about time that Democrats rally behind someone who embraces the real ideals upon which the party was established. Here is a man of peace who speaks the voice of the nation that has been scared and domicile by hawkers at the White House. He first attracted national attention when he vocally opposed the Vietnam war in the august hall of Capitol Hills, notwithstanding requests from fell Democrats to settle down. He perfected the art and science of filibustering to end peacetime military draft. Always been for transparency and honest government, he read the Pentagon Papers on a hearing of the committee he then heads, thus making them public records.
While mainstream democratic presidential candidates are “cautious” on political reprisal (main reason why impeachment is non-existent in the present Congress), he is proposing a law that will make continued presence in Iraq a felony.
True Democrats who really care for the party and the country should make Sen. Gravel and the ideas he expouses the focal point of next years presidential election. We need the brand of leadership that Democratic Party envisions for this nation, i.e. progressive. Let us make the party a true party of the American people and not just a party of the Clintons . . . A party that fights for what it truly stands for, not a party that promotes political convenience . . . finally, a party that will work hard to make sure that America will once again, be embraced by the peace-loving people of the world.
Spread the word . . . organize for Sen. Gravel . . . rekindle the wavering flame of hope among the American people . . . Believe that this nation will be great again!
Grandmothers Unite for Gravel!
Submitted on May 22nd, 2007 by TenajJlau, I agree. The “lesser of two evils” concept just isn’t plausible in any election! Evil is evil, and the great spiritual leaders of every epoch have put a question before us, a question of ethics. In Christ’s words, “You can not serve both God and Mammon.” One human being with ethics can challenge an entire corrupt system and ring in a new era of true Liberty and Justice for All. I’m a grandmother who has never participated in the political process. I was completely disillusioned with politics, when I witnessed Robert Kennedy’s assassination as a young girl. So much for my civic maturity, I simply took it for granted that my vote didn’t count. Studying Mr. Gravel’s ideas, I feel an old stirring of hope and idealism that I haven’t felt for many years.
Better to fight for something you actually believe in, as
our grandchildren deserve a much better world.
Grandmothers Unite for Gravel!
Grandmothers Unite for Gravel!
Submitted on May 22nd, 2007 by TenajJlau, I agree. The “lesser of two evils” concept just isn’t plausible in any election! Evil is evil, and the great spiritual leaders of every epoch have put a question before us, a question of ethics. In Christ’s words, “You can not serve both God and Mammon.” One human being with ethics can challenge an entire corrupt system and ring in a new era of true Liberty and Justice for All. I’m a grandmother who has never participated in the political process. I was completely disillusioned with politics, when I witnessed Robert Kennedy’s assassination as a young girl. So much for my civic maturity, I simply took it for granted that my vote didn’t count. Studying Mr. Gravel’s ideas, I feel an old stirring of hope and idealism that I haven’t felt for many years.
Better to fight for something you actually believe in, as
our grandchildren deserve a much better world.
Grandmothers Unite for Gravel!
3rd parties are deadly in the main election
Submitted on May 14th, 2007 by toddpwWhile I'm personally glad to have Mr. Nader on board, I think we must all remember what happened those times that Mr. Nader and Ross Perot ran as independents... they split the majority vote and allowed the wrong candidate to get elected. Some of my close relatives get angry at the mere mention of Mr. Nader's name, because of that.
Until we have proper runoff election rules in this country, 3rd parties in the main election are almost a guaranteed lose for the public. This is no accident; the Powers That Be like it that way because it booby-traps the typical strong protest movement.
It is better to endorse the lesser of two evils than to run against both evils, unless you are absolutely sure you will win.
--
I'm mad as hell about where our country is going -- and I want a President who is just as mad about it as I am!
I don't buy the "lesser" evil anymore
Submitted on May 15th, 2007 by JlauThe "lesser" evil argument just isn't practical in this election.
Both parties are scrambling for the moderates that have been alienated by the conflicts of this administration. All the candidates from the Right and Left are now more "center". Practically speaking, they're all ricecake options attempting to be as flavorless as possible in order to gain enough votes. Any strong hint of Right OR Left is going to send moderate voters in the other direction. There's no "our" guy anymore. If you vote for anyone other than Ron Paul or Mike Gravel, you're going to be getting a phantom politician, light on flavor and light on substance. Voting for the typical candidates is going to be a waste because, even if "Your" guy/gal doesn't win, the candidate who gains the presidency won't be functionally different.
I mean, even the rhetoric is becoming flavorless. Rhetoric was the last bastion of the poseur politician, but even THAT has to be toned down these days. All of the frontrunners could share the same script and you sure as hell wouldn't know the difference.
Ralph Nader's Column
Submitted on May 14th, 2007 by Alex CroleyI have never really liked Ralph Nader for a number of reasons, however, I did very much liked the column that he wrote on (former) Senator Gravel. It was well articulated, and showed honesty on the difficulties ahead for Gravel as he does make his bid for President.
It is reasonable to assume the problems that will arise. Corporations will shun the campain for the reason that can be assumed. Media will shun him because the Corporations tell them to shun this man. So yes, this will be a campain based on Americans being better informed and confronted with the fact that we have been lied to and to act accordingly.
Hopefully, what will follow is a windfall of renewal of an American Spirit that would make, many of the people who live in this country of ours, united toward the cause of making itself a better place, and not just taking the easy road and letting someone else dictate to us what we should be doing.
Very Nice Mr. Nader...
Submitted on May 12th, 2007 by eleonaiVery nice Mr. Nader! I'm very encouraged to have you with us.
Eli
Freedom is Participation in Power.
Submitted on May 11th, 2007 by SamRalph Nader's article....
Submitted on May 10th, 2007 by timeforchangenowRalph Nader
Submitted on May 9th, 2007 by Raymond ZerhusenSenator Gravel Is. . .
Submitted on May 8th, 2007 by Russ Wellen. . . the new, improved Ralph Nader. Generous of the latter to give the senator his imprimatur.
The senator will go far if he continues to exude his natural warmth, like he did on "The Colbert Report." A candidate can't buy that.
Nice to have Ralph on board
Submitted on May 8th, 2007 by Gravelian83Couldn't agree more...
Submitted on May 8th, 2007 by taratreeI too am glad to see Nader's positive endorsement...Gravel is indeed "like a fresh wind coming down from Alaska," and, yes, I too have not been inspired by a candidate until Gravel appeared--however, I would be delighted to see Kucinich on board as a running mate--as VVP (Vegetarian Vice President!)--believe me a lot of statesmen/women would appreciate a veggie option at state dinners- seriously! Plus I think they would compliment each other in important ways....finally two intelligent, peacemakers in the White House...tell your friends...VOTE! Ring the bell--the Liberty Bell - Vote Gravel!
P.S. I am particulary happy with Gravel's idea of dismantling the very costly to run IRS (not to mention the enourmouse amount of paper generated by this agency--the paper savings alone would be worth getting rid of them). A national sales tax makes excellent sense.
An excellent article with a
Submitted on May 8th, 2007 by RMarcantonioAn excellent article with a lot of substance and a compelling argument for taking a serious look at the Gravel campaign. I for one will be using this as a tool to spread Mikes message.
Vice President
Submitted on May 8th, 2007 by ElliswonderMike Gravel..The only Democrat I trust
Submitted on May 9th, 2007 by blazemongerThis guy isn't intimidated by anyone.
Dem: Gravel
Rep: Paul