Alan Minsky for the PDA National Team

Thanks to the Initiative of PDA Members, the Massachusetts Democratic Party has Endorsed an Economic Bill of Rights

Since our founding in 2004, PDA has worked to elect progressive activists to Congress in order to enact progressive policies in the spirit of FDR’s proposed Second Bill of Rights – often referred to as an Economic Bill of Rights.

Recently, PDA Executive Director Alan Minsky and Professor Harvey J Kaye have co-authored a series of articles calling for the adoption of a 21st Century Economic Bill of Rights.

Progressive Democrats of America is proud to announce that the Massachusetts Democratic Party has gone on record endorsing an Economic Bill of Rights, modelled on Minsky and Kaye’s work, affirming that all Americans have a right to:

1. A useful job that pays a living wage.

2. A voice in the workplace through a union and collective bargaining.

3. Comprehensive quality health care.

4. Complete cost-free public education and access to broadband internet.

5. Decent, safe, affordable housing.

6. A clean environment and a healthy planet.

7. A meaningful endowment of resources at birth, and a secure retirement.

8. Sound banking and financial services.

9. An equitable and economically fair justice system.

10. Recreation and participation in civic and democratic life.”

[Note: numbers 7 and 8 were omitted from the resolution.]

We welcome the Mass Dems’ commitment to enacting laws enshrining these basic human rights. 

Russell Freedman, PDA Massachusetts Coordinator, explained how events unfolded, “PDA offered a resolution to the convention calling for the support of the 21st Century Economic Bill of Rights. The resolution was approved with changes—removal of the 7th and 8th policies—and then offered to convention attendees. In the final tally, 97% voted in favor.”

Freedman added, “I would like to recognize PDA activists Martha Freedman, Susan Seigel, and Kelley Johnson for helping to achieve this historic accomplishment.”

That’s one state down, 49 plus D.C. to go.  Onwards!