On Saturday, June 28, 2008, something amazing transpired on the grounds of Historic Independence Hall. A group of Americans came together from various states, cities and townships to unite as not only Democrats but also, as Americans with a common goal. That goal is unification. Unification at this historic site is not uncommon; for this is the birthplace of our nation.

During a long hot summer in 1787, the Constitutional Convention convened in the State House of Pennsylvania, now known as Independence Hall. The State House Assembly room delegates from the former thirteen (13) colonies gathered to form a Nation. This was a bold step for these men of vision and rising out of the Revolution a great nation guided by a document that would surpass all other legal doctrines ever written, except the bible. That document was and is our United States Constitution.
The reason the 25,000 Knights gathered again on a long hot summer day was to come together to unify factions of a fractured democratic party. On, June 28, 2008, the most diverse socioeconomic group gathered under a tent at the foot of Independence Hall; and what transpired opened up the dialogue of unification. This group included, captains of industry, ministers, media strategists, labor leaders, lawyers, dentists, doctor’s and, a retired Major from the United States Marine Corps.  We were few in number just over 200 people, but we represented America at its best.

These Americans gathered from different states, congressional districts and what was unlike the previous gathering at Independence, different ethnic backgrounds. That was unique and although believed to be what transpires everyday in America, it does not. Change brings about many things; unification of the races is one of them. There is a common denominator that affected everyone under that tent, they have been ignored by American foreign and domestic policy and, they are tired of it and want to put an end to the policy of privilege in the United States. When the gathering began over two hundred (200) years ago, those delegates were fearful of the change they fought so hard and lost so many lives for. The politics of fear permeated that tent and the surrounding area the same as in it did in the past. Change is an ugly word to those in power. Sound familiar, the same thing happened during the Constitutional Convention.

Getting back to Saturday, a profound thing happened, the people in attendance all wanted to be there! This was not an event that anyone there was compelled to attend. This was not an obligatory political favor. Ordinary people from various backgrounds came to speak truth to power moving in a cadence towards that goal. If, there is going to be a victory in November, it most begin from the bottom up. It will never happen from the top down. The truth is that; so long as this party continues to use a class, caste and narrow minded approach to victory the American people and the world will suffer the collateral damage. The top down theory has never worked! Ask Walter Mondale, Michael Dukakis, Al Gore and John Kerry.

The over zealous concentration on the top of the ticket creates an uneasy base. The foundational approach of ticket familiarity is the only way to win. Let us speak the truth, we are asking America is to elect a first term Senator, named Barack Hussein Obama, an over a man named John McCain a, war veteran and, hostage survivor from the Vietnam era. Although in a group of Democrats we all speak the same language of sort, the truth is not all democrats are behind Barack!  The reasons are many and, to dissect them now is unnecessary. The concentration on the popular vote often proves to put to much pressure on the top of the ticket to carry those who logically speaking are to carry him.  Pollsters will not tell you campaign media strategists will not tell you but, the 25,000 Knights are telling you that the bottom ticket is the ticket to secure a victory in November.  Make no mistake, if we expect Barack Obama to win without a simultaneous campaign run by the bottom ticket; there will be no electoral votes out of this state to secure a win.  There are 21 electoral votes coming from this state, we cannot afford to lose any congressional district.  A catastrophic loss of the 7th, 8th, or any other large populated district will cause the state to go RED!!!!    

Let us not quibble and lie to each other any longer. If we are going to win, the focus should be on electoral votes only. Barack is an inspirational speaker and charismatic leader. Truthfully speaking the only way to get him there is to vote for and protect the down ticket candidates! Down ticket are electoral votes. I believe that Barack Obama is the kind of leader that is willing to ride the coattails of elected officials who can carry him over the threshold of the Presidency. What type of winner will Barack become?  Barack is a visionary leader without ego. He is a decisive statesman that can change our country for the better. 
Down ticket, candidates have a proven base. People who like their Representative in Congress will reelect them. Advocate voting for Congressional candidates they know and they will carry the top of the ticket.  Give them an alternative have them concentrate on the race from the bottom up. Remind them that their Congressional Delegation cannot help them if, they are not reelected.

Our day began with music, fun, and food. The day ended with a commanding voice of unity from our Chairman, Julie McCrey, speaking about party unity and the necessity of the promotion and protection of the down ticket. That speech was closely followed by an Iraqi-war veteran, Major Edward Jascweicz, a surrogate for Congressman Patrick Murphy 7th Congressional District, and then our Keynote Speaker, a leader of industry and historical figure in his own right, Robert Haris, entrepreneur, consultant, and engineer. What is even more significant is that Robert Haris is a man of history, information and knowledge. In spite of this he was more than willing to risk reputation and social standing by speaking truth to power.

Our final speaker was Deborah Wei an, educator and Barack Obama supporter from the Asian American Community.  Deborah spoke of being a child of undocumented workers and the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
I am not advocating hand holding or singing togetherness songs; I am advocating, a change in direction not for political expediency but, for the safety, security and the economic survival of Americas. I am not just talking about the United States; America includes Mexico and Canada, we must recognize that isolationism will be the death of America, as we know it.

America has an obligation to rise from the abyss of the political failures of these last 20 years. Acknowledge that failed policy and disorganization has pushed America toward a complete economic ruin. In order for the United States to move forward we must tear down our walls of ignorance and indifference and, form a union with our neighbors to solidify our place in this world.

We cannot expect undocumented workers to stop coming through our borders if, we do not insist and aid their nation in educating them. America is still the land of freedom and opportunity and, we cannot expect those seeking it not to come here by any means necessary. Yes, Mexico must educate their people; encourage investment by the United States and Canada to secure their own economic freedom.

Jobs are not moving to Mexico at the rate they are going to China and, you know why? China educates its people and Mexico has a problem with institutional education. That is why undocumented people come; most are just seeking and education for their children and food on their table. They are willing to work any menial job that most Americans will not do in order to survive. They are not illegal aliens, they are Americans too. They are migrating north with hope for survival and a chance too lift their families out of poverty.
Therefore, are we going to wall them out or are we going to help them stay at home and make their country strong? A strong Mexico will benefit Mexico, Canada and the United States. Why? Are we defending the Persian Gulf without first securing the Gulf of Mexico?  We need to overhaul our foreign policy on this Continent first. Our neighbors should not fall into despair while we seek alliances in places that have no natural strategic affinity to us at all.

We the 25,000 Knights call for an immediate summit following this historic election; an accord must be reached with our neighbors and we most create a structurally sound multilateral agreement to unify the Americas. If we fail to do this we will fail our country entirely. This was one of the many subjects spoken about on that Saturday afternoon, under the tent at the foot of Independence Hall.

Finally, something significant came to mind at the close of the speech of Robert Haris were the words of the late-great Benjamin Franklin; when after debate and heated arguments of the Constitutional Convention came to a close; he gazed upon the seat in which George Washington sat in during the Convention; and noted the that--there was a sun carved into it. What he had found when the Constitution was finally completed that the Sun was now a rising Sun and not a setting sun! Additionally, he told everyone very eloquently that we have a Republic. If We Can Keep It!

Remember those words, and heed Benjamin Franklin’s warning and read the words, of Robert Haris and maybe we will stop marginalizing people. Perhaps stop dividing Americans by demographical data that means nothing and begin listening to them. That is the way to win and the only way to bring about real change!
I am your Chairman and, now follow the lead of the 25,000 Knights and promote unity from the base our structure up! Let us win together not lose apart!

Julie Harris McCrey
Chairman
25,000 Knights