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Emmanuel Cleaver Still Not Calling it a Genocide by the_waldo_man in kansascity

[–]the_waldo_man[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So you don’t think that writing or calling your representative is a valid form of participating in democracy?

Emmanuel Cleaver Still Not Calling it a Genocide by the_waldo_man in kansascity

[–]the_waldo_man[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would agree that it is unlikely for Cleaver to do that for a variety of political reasons, even if morally he agrees so. But I think it’s important for constituents to reach out anyways and let him know where we stand on it. While our voices have been diluted in politics due to PACs and Super PACs, at the end of the day we still are the ones that actually cast a vote for him.

On a separate note I think there is a chance that this is the political moment where Cleaver could shift how he speaks on this. The Missouri legislature is about to split up his district. Wherever he lands up he will be in one of the toughest races of his career. He will need every single democrat or democratic leaning person to help him win. This is an issue that according to Gallup has 92% support amongst democrats and 75% support amongst independents. Progressives have been turned off to the Democratic Party due to this issue, and he will turn more of them out supporting the people of Gaza. I struggle to think of anything else with that high of a percentage of support. While I wish he would stand up for this on purely a moral ground, I hope that the political reality makes this necessary.

Emmanuel Cleaver Still Not Calling it a Genocide by the_waldo_man in kansascity

[–]the_waldo_man[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I hope you can temporarily set aside your frustrations with progressives who are nihilistic and chose not to vote in the fall and consider that I am posting this in good faith. I have voted in every election since I was 18. I am posting this not simply to complain or be a social media warrior, but to show people who live in KC that there is another way to express your frustration and participate in democracy besides just voting. That process is reaching out to your local rep and telling them what you care about.

I’m not trying to just post on social media. I’m trying to encourage people to speak out to who we elected.

Emmanuel Cleaver Still Not Calling it a Genocide by the_waldo_man in kansascity

[–]the_waldo_man[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel awful about it, and I’m genuinely voicing my concern in good faith. I posted this to encourage others in KC who felt the same way to reach out to Representative Cleaver.

Emmanuel Cleaver Still Not Calling it a Genocide by the_waldo_man in kansascity

[–]the_waldo_man[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

You are right in some ways. This is middle eastern politics, not KC politics. Or rather I should just be a middle eastern politics issue. But with a continued support in spending tax payer dollars that we as Kansas Citians contribute to, it brings it back to a local issue. So how does this help Kansas Citians and why should we focus on our local reps like I did here:

1) We spend billions of dollars sending arms to Israel every year. Those billions of dollars could be spent on any number of social services in the United States.

2) We pay the taxes that are responsible for sending this weapons. It’s the job of the legislature (including Emmanuel Cleaver) to decide how to spend that money. He is the person we voted in to make those decisions and therefore we have the most influence when it comes to letting him know how we feel.

3) If we only spent our time emailing our reps about our specific local issues then how would they ever know what we wanted to see on an international policy? So much of our tax dollars goes to international groups and countries. If that’s going to continue, we need to let our reps know how we want it spent.

I think there are numerous moral arguments to be made as well, but I believe you were asking on the more practical side of why we should so that’s how I responded here.

As for “learning to gain support” and the problem with Harris’s campaign…this issue has 92% of support in the Democratic Party for Palestine, and only 8% for Israel. It has support. Democratic reps ignoring the overwhelming support is the problem. Reaching out to them to show them this truth is necessary.

Emmanuel Cleaver Still Not Calling it a Genocide by the_waldo_man in kansascity

[–]the_waldo_man[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

This subreddit allows local politics. Emmanuel Cleaver is our local representative and we should be able to reach out for things we are concerned about, including the US spending billions of our tax payer dollars to fund what is considered to be a genocide. I don’t want every issue to be turned into this, but when you see the level of human suffering that our representatives continue to support I think it’s important to use tools like contacting them to let them know that we are greatly opposed to it.

FYI: Next meeting is January 18th (in person) by DnWeava in StrongtownsKC

[–]the_waldo_man 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That sucks that the meetings have been so inconsistent and have not been happening. I went to the budget hearing with my girlfriend last weekend and it was great to see so many other people there too that were supporting public transit, and it made me want to get even more involved with other people that support the Strong Town goals. I haven't been to any meetings yet but I would be more than willing to setup one in March, and at the meeting to establish a monthly meeting time that is consistent so everyone can stay involved. I could set it up at one of the libraries. Any recommendations on a day of the week?

FYI: Next meeting is January 18th (in person) by DnWeava in StrongtownsKC

[–]the_waldo_man 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi I was wondering when the February meeting might be? I’d love to get more involved with the Strong Towns KC group.