Archive for March, 2009

On March 26, leaders from one of the most poverty-impacted communities in the U.S., the City of East St. Louis and 14 surrounding communities in Southern Illinois, came to Washington, D.C., to launch a comprehensive stimulus solution of their own — an advanced renewable energy system to be owned by every local citizen — and to call for its support as a viable antidote to the unprecedented financial crisis in the United States. These mayors and other community leaders argue that the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) is essentially a bailout plan for the “wealthy few” on Wall Street, not for the “unmonied many” on the “side streets and Main Streets” of America being devastated by mortgage foreclosures, job losses and the collapse of the credit system for both individuals and small businesses. Their message to government policymakers: “Cut us in on the bailout or cut it out for the wealthy few!”

Read the full article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Dr. Antonio Betancourt, Secretary General of the Summit Council, addresses mayors and other community leaders from East St. Louis and surrounding communities on March 26, 2009 in Washington, DC.

On March 20, President Obama released a video message to the people of Iran celebrating Nowruz. Translated “New Day,” Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and beginning of the New Year for millions of Iranians. The President acknowledged the strain in U.S.-Iranian relations over the last few decades. “But at this holiday we are reminded of the common humanity that binds us together,” he said. Committing his administration to a future of honest and respectful diplomacy, he said, “I want you, the people and leaders of Iran, to understand the future that we seek. It’s a future with renewed exchanges among our people, and greater opportunities for partnership and commerce. It’s a future where the old divisions are overcome, where you and all of your neighbors and the wider world can live in greater security and greater peace.”

Read the full transcript of Obama’s remarks