Recapture the Flag!

Reclaiming democracy and our belief in the rule of law, freedom and justice

Common Cause begins a new campaign this week called “Recapture the Flag,” a campaign to restore public faith in the core values of American democracy after repeated abuses of power by the Executive Branch and Congress’ failure to fulfill its Constitutional obligations of oversight.

The Executive Branch abuses of power over the past 7 years have been many and will not just go away when the Administration changes:

* illegally used warrantless wiretapping to spy on Americans

* attempted to severely restrict Habeas Corpus

* engaged in illegal torture

* declared publicly the Executive will not comply with aspects of laws it objects to through the use of signing statements

* abused Executive Privilege by refusing to allow staff and former staff to comply with Congressional subpoenas

* used the Justice Department to carry out a partisan political agenda

* brought the country to war with Iraq based on intelligence the Administration knew or should have known was inaccurate

Common Cause is launching this campaign with a full page ad in the New York Times, likely on Wednesday, urging people to sign a petition in support of the principles our Constitution stands for, and then asking them to get their congressional and presidential candidates to sign also.

By visiting www.RecapturetheFlag.com citizens can demand that our elected officials work to restore America’s standing in the world as a leader in freedom, democracy and human rights.