The Future of New England is Freedom!
Our geography, our environment, our rich vibrant culture, and the way we view life and society dictates that we are unique from that to the rest of the United States. From these, we are worthy of being our own nation and we must guard, promote, and protect it in a peaceful and democratic yet vocal manner. There are those New Englanders who believe the United States has become far too powerful and increasingly oppressive throughout the World and even in it's own borders. And today with the re-election of George W. Bush, it will only get worse.
It has been very evident in the last couple of years with the downturn of the economy, the increase in World tension, terrorist attacks, the threat of destruction of our own environment in the name of progress, and the growing scrutiny and disposal of our civil and personal rights. Both political parties that currently control all aspects of government from the federal level all the way to state and local levels have showed this arrogance and indifference. This blatantly cavalier attitude towards the people and the World may trigger the self-destruction of the United States and the values we hold so dear. Over two decades ago, New England was one of the most pristine and most unique places to live. Where forests and green belts lined along our largest cities and one could find farms and meadows just minutes away from the city centers. Traffic gridlock was almost unheard of. People also had a quality of life that was second to none. We also had an identity that was distinct but sadly, all of that has been changing.
The good aspect of change is that our economy had become more diverse but at what price? Our whole neighborhoods and towns are being torn down and replaced by gentrification and corporatism. The poor are being driven out of these communities. Along with this gentrification, our old buildings and symbols of the Northeast are either being exploited or torn down. This is particularly evident in Boston and the suburbs. Our largest city Boston and even the other cities like Manchester and Providence are experiencing unbridled sprawl that make our cities resemble Los Angeles! We even are witnessing the breakdown of civility and sense of community as a result of this population impact and sprawl.
The leaders in the government from the federal to the local level have been resting on their laurels from all of the prosperity as well as the corporate money they receive for representing their interests. They have been doing plenty of talking but have not backed up this talk with actions and plans that have real teeth. The only promises they have really kept are raising taxes while cutting off essential programs claiming they are broke. This complicity harkens back to the last days of the Roman Empire. Both major political parties are equally guilty of this display of indifference.
The Republicans, those who now have a stranglehold on the Executive Branch of the federal government, have been a prime example of pure arrogance and mean-spiritedness. They all claim they want to get government out of our lives and yet many of them particularly in the leadership roles want to increase surveillance on the populace and have the power to detain those deemed "subversive" or a "threat". They, and particularly in the state of Washington, also want to force feed their moralist, single-minded Judeo-Christian view on society. This is the contradiction of what they say when they mean "less government".
The Democrats, the supposed "left of center" party has abandoned their progressive potential a long time ago. They have a way of saying one thing and then turning around and doing the opposite of what they say. They preach that they want to be "bi-partisan" and work with Republicans but what good is an opposition party when you do not have the backbone to make a stand and back up your words with actions? The Democrats sold them out just like the Republicans and therefore are nothing more than a token opposition. The programs that the Democrats have promoted to help people have very little money in order for them to be effective plus they are all geared not to help people but to make them more dependent not INDEPENDENT! People need to have help but not by handouts. It should all be based on "give" and "take". The Democrats have no real powerful leadership and this is no doubt among their handicaps.
The NEFA believes the time is coming for New Englanders to wipe the slate clean in government and truly take charge of their own lives. We can be able to shape our future and create an open, free, and just society without constraints and interference. We can preserve our heritage and quality of life. We can streamline, decentralize and privatize social services as well as localize the system and give the people more say in the day-to-day running of government through plebiscite and referendum. Through the rewriting of our respective states' constitutions, we can have a broader version of the Bill of Rights in the form of a Charter of Rights and Liberties that will acknowledge the rights of peoples regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, and creed.
The NEFA also believes that it is possible to have a higher standard of living, better education for children, and a cleaner environment, and a return to a sense of community without having to be represented by greed or special interests. We can achieve such things without having to compromise our security and freedom. We can have a New England where our top priorities are safeguarding the environment, education, helping those who need it without a government handout, greater civil rights and liberties, and promoting peace without the exploiting the will of others through adventurism and corporate gain by a superpower.
If any of these ideals and goals, appeal to you, you are a New England voter, and concerned about your quality of life then you are urged to join and become leaders in your community. We need your voice added to the cause. Together we can achieve the goal of a peaceful, free, and prosperous New England!