|
|
Vote for Change Tour
an article by Charlie McNally
40 concerts, 30 cities, 9 battleground states, and to top it all off: The Boss himself, none other than "Born in the USA" Bruce Springsteen. This fall a group of mainstream, commercially successful artists will participate in a "Vote for Change" Tour that will both encourage concert goers to get to the polls on November 2nd, and raise money for Americans Coming Together (ACT), a voter mobilization effort aimed at removing George W. from office. Winning the election this fall is seen as vital for saving the environment and preserving our civil liberties.
The artists playing the concerts play music from a range of genres and will include Dave Matthews Band, REM, Pearl Jam, Jurassic 5, The Dixie Chicks, Bonnie Raitt, John Mellencamp, James Taylor, and most importantly Bruce Springsteen.
Springsteen's role in the concert cannot be overestimated. An iconic figure of American culture who has long been apolitical, Springsteen is slowly being transformed into an activist by the radical agenda of the Bush administration. His legions of fans, many of whom are moderates and conservatives, will not be able to ignore his increasingly vocal and active political stances as he tours with "Vote for Change."
So check out a concert near you, and volunteer for ACT. To learn more about the vote for change tour including a complete list of artists, scheduled shows, and online ticket purchasing, visit the tour website. For information about ACT, visit the ACT website.
|
|
DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
Can peace be promoted through national elections in the US?,
* * * * *
LATEST READER COMMENT:
Recently there was an election in Wisconsin which failed to recall (replace) the governor who attacked the trade union movement. How should this be interpreted? Here is an excellent analysis which I just received from the Tikkun Network of Spiritual Progressives:
* * * * * * * * * *
It is election night in Madison, Wis., and I am standing where it all began, in front of the state Capitol here in the heart of America’s rebel dairyland.
Earlier today was the recall election against Gov. Scott Walker, the viciously right-wing governor whose legislative attacks on public workers and unions sparked a grassroots rebellion in early 2011 involving hundreds of thousands of angry Wisconsinites. The Wisconsin uprising, through its occupation of the Capitol and its sheer massive numbers, inspired people across America and beyond to fight for economic justice in bold new ways, paving the way for Occupy Wall Street in the fall.
For me, the movement was as beautiful as it was personal — I’d gone to college in Madison, taught in the Milwaukee public schools, and organized events in Green Bay. Scott Walker was attacking my old teachers, my students, and my friends. But they fought back, and ####, it looked like they – we! – might actually turn the tide against decades of corporate rule. Standing here outside the Capitol on election day, amidst the glorious Solidarity Singers leading 1,000 people in rousing versions of “Eyes on the Prize” and “Union Maid,” the smell of hope was strong in the summer air.
And then the results came in.
Walker 53%, Barrett 46%.
I saw the blood drain from a thousand faces all at the same time. It wasn’t pretty. . ...more.
|
|
by program area
Become a CPNN Reporter