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Recommended
Links for Progressives
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1. Progressive Activist Training
|
|
Democratic
GAIN
|
"Democratic
GAIN exists to support the professional needs of individuals
and organizations that work in Democratic and Progressive
Politics. " |
www.democraticGAIN.org |
|
Campaign
Corps
|
"Campaign
Corps is a national grassroots program dedicated to
politically empowering young people. Each year, we train
talented recent graduates and place them on targeted,
progressive Democratic campaigns. Participants receive
a stipend and free housing during the campaign, with
all travel expenses paid." |
www.campaigncorps.org |
|
Young People For...
|
"a
new, long-term initiative that will bring together young
leaders and activists from across the nation who are
eager to take up the challenge to ensure that progressive
voices are heard on current issues of concern, such
as civil liberties, the judiciary, reproductive choice,
gay rights, separation of church and state, free speech,
public education and civil rights." |
www.youngpeoplefor.org |
| Campus
Camp Wellstone |
"Through
Camp Wellstone and our other training programs, we have
trained over 8,000 activists in 25 states in the nuts
and bolts of political advocacy and grassroots organizing.
Given the tremendous success of our training programs
to date, we have expanded our efforts to include special
trainings in Getting-Out-the-Vote (GOTV), youth activism,
voter education and mobilization, and other areas." |
www.wellstone.org |
|
Center for
Progressive Leadership
|
"The
Center for Progressive Leadership (CPL) is the first
national political training institute dedicated to building
the next generation of progressive political leaders.
Through intensive training programs for youth, activists,
and candidates, CPL provides individuals with the skills
and resources needed to become effective political leaders." |
www.progressleaders.org |
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2. Progressive Student Organizations
|
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College Democrats
of America
|
"CDA is the official
college outreach arm of the Democratic Party and focuses
on electing Democrats from the grassroots level up." |
www.collegedems.com |
|
College Democrats
of Massachusetts
|
The official umbrella
organization of all the college democrats chapters in
Massachusetts. |
www.macollegedems.org |
|
Campus Progress
|
"Campus Progress,
a project of the Center for American Progress, is a
brand-new effort to strengthen progressive voices on
college and university campuses nationwide; counter
the growing influence of right-wing groups on campus;
and empower new generations of progressive leaders." |
www.campusprogress.org |
|
The Roosevelt
Institution
|
"Policy and research
analysis - the nation's first student think tank." |
www.rooseveltinstitution.org
|
| Democracy
Matters |
"Democracy Matters
informs and engages college students and communities
in efforts to strengthen our democracy. With campus-based
chapters throughout the country, we focus on the issue
of private money in politics and other pro-democracy
reforms." |
www.democracymatters.org |
| Sierra
Student Coalition |
"The Sierra Student
Coalition is a broad network of high school and college
students from around the country working to protect
the environment on the local, regional, national and
international level." |
www.ssc.org |
| Speak
Out |
"Speak Out - Institute
for Democratic Education and Culture is the country's
only national non-profit organization that promotes
progressive voices on campuses and in communities ...
Speak Out works with 200 speakers and artists who represent
the breadth of social movements as well as critically-acclaimed
exhibits and films which inform and empower young people
to take action for positive social change." |
www.speakoutnow.org/ |
| Five
College Democrats Network |
The Organization of
the College Democrat chapters of the Pioneer Valley |
www.fivecollegedems.net |
|
Brown University
Democrats
|
"The Brown Democrats
is committed to promoting the ideals of the Democratic
Party at Brown and in the surrounding community, while
providing students with a practical political education."
College Democrats Chapter of the Year, 2005 |
www.browndemocrats.org |
| Smith
College Democrats |
"The Smith College
Democrats have proven this past semester to be one of
the most active organizations on campus and one of the
most active College Democrats chapters in the country."
College Democrats Chapter of the Year, 2004 |
www.smithdemocrats.org |
|
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3. Conservative
Campus Groups: A look at what the competition is up to...
...convincing young Conservatives that
Liberals hate both them and America ... since 1968.
|
| College
Republican Chapter Manual |
Endorsed activities include:
"Take over the College Democrats or other leftist
clubs, and endorse Republicans and
conservative causes and issues instead ...
Sponsor a Second Amendment Day at the local gun range
...
Sponsor a “Be a Friend to the Environment”
trash clean up project."
|
www.crnc.org/resources... |
| College
Republican National Committee |
National Federation of College Republican
Chapters |
www.crnc.org |
| Intercollegiate
Studies Institute |
"The Intercollegiate Studies Institute
(ISI) is a non-profit, non-partisan, tax-exempt educational
organization whose purpose is to convey to successive
generations of college youth a better understanding
of the values and institutions that sustain a free and
virtuous society ... ISI seeks to enhance the rising
generation's knowledge of our nation's founding principles
— limited government, individual liberty, personal
responsibility, the rule of law, market economy, and
moral norms." |
www.isi.org |
| The
Collegiate Network |
"The Collegiate Network was established in 1979
to focus public awareness on the politicization of
American college and university classrooms, curricula,
student life, and the resulting decline of educational
standards. To achieve this mission, the Network provides
financial and technical assistance to student editors
and writers at scores of independent publications
at leading colleges and universities around the country.
These publications have a combined annual distribution
of more than two million copies. Assistance includes
annual operating grants, annual journalistic training
conferences, campus mentoring sessions, story ideas
and editorial resources, a quarterly newsletter, Internet
discussion groups, summer and year-long internships
at leading national media outlets and extensive guidance
from experienced professionals."
Editor's Note: This group gave Ann
Coulter her start. - Chris C.
|
www.isi.org/cn |
| Young
Americans for Freedom |
"A YAFers (sic) is not afraid of a liberal no
matter what the situation may be. In fact, when we
called our fellow YAFers from the area to come help
us in the trenches, they showed up true to form; fearless,
courageous, not to mention three times as witty and
smart as our liberal opponents."
Editor's Note: I've never seen such
sycophantic Ronald Reagan adulation. Reminds me of
that Donnie Darko line, "I question your commitment
to Sparkle Motion!" - Chris C.
|
www.yaf.com |
| The
Leadership Institute |
"The Leadership Institute's mission is to identify,
recruit, train, and place conservatives, in politics,
government, and media."
Editor's Note: Organized by Morton
Blackwell. Trained Karl Rove, Ralph Reed, Grover Norquist,
223 other legislators & members of Congress, 40,000
local organizers. The
dirty tricks these guys teach campus organizers are
well documented. - Chris C.
|
www.leadershipinstitute.org |
| Campus
Leadership Program |
"While the Leadership Institute works initially
to help students develop their own organization, each
local campus group is completely independent and directs
its own day-to-day operations and decision-making.
Each campus organization is independent of The Leadership
Institute and all other national organizations. Responsibility
for the day-to-day operations and program decision-making
is left in the hands of the local campus group. Once
founded, the local organizations have only a correspondent
relationship with the Leadership Institute."
Editor's Note: This organizational
structure gives the umbrella organization plausible
deniability. Main objective of this group: get people
on the left mad enough so they make fools of themselves.
Dan Flynn, UMass Amherst alumnus, Director - Chris
C.
|
www.campusleadership.org |
| Young
America's Foundation |
"Young America’s Foundation
is committed to ensuring that increasing numbers of
young Americans understand and are inspired by the ideas
of individual freedom, a strong national defense, free
enterprise, and traditional values." |
www.yaf.org |
| Eagle
Forum Collegians |
"Students involved with EFC have
had terrific success bringing conservative speakers
to their campuses, including Phyllis [Schlafly], exposing
the liberals and their activities funded by student
fees and starting conservative newspapers on their own
campuses." |
www.efcollegians.org |
| UMass
Amherst Republican Club |
Editor's Note: Staged
a pro-war rally, put crosses on hippie beach representing
abortion deaths. Heavily subsidized by the Young America's
Foundation. Spends UMass SGA money to bring Right-wight
speakers who are still anrgy that the 60's movement
happened. Let's see some real policy analysis and substantive
debate about relevant current events, guys, please!
- Chris C. |
www.umassgop.org |
|
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4. Progressive Publications
|
| tompaine.com |
"TomPaine.com is for people who want
to keep in touch with the progressive community but
don't have time to surf dozens of websites. We do it
for you. It's also for people who care about the progressive
cause and are looking for an online home. Each day we
scour the country—from Capitol Hill to newspapers
to think tanks and activist groups—and highlight
the news, ideas and actions that you need to stay fully
informed.." |
www.tompaine.com |
| Mother
Jones Magazine |
"Mother Jones is an independent nonprofit
whose roots lie in a commitment to social justice implemented
through first rate investigative reporting." |
www.motherjones.com |
| The
New Deal Magazine |
"New Deal Magazine is the nation's
finest intercollegiate progressive publication. Its
editors put their heads together to write our first
student vision for the future of the progressive movement." |
www.newdealmagazine.com |
|
The Al Franken
Show
|
"After debunking right-wing propaganda
in his bestselling books Lies, and the Lying Liars Who
Tell Them and Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot, Al Franken
is taking the fight to America's airwaves--and he's
doing it drug-free." |
shows.airamericaradio.com... |
| The
American Prospect |
"The American Prospect was founded
in 1990 as an authoritative magazine of liberal ideas,
committed to a just society, an enriched democracy,
and effective liberal politics. Robert Kuttner, Robert
Reich, and Paul Starr launched the magazine initially
as a quarterly." |
www.prospect.org |
| Common
Dreams |
"...a national non-profit citizens'
organization working to bring progressive Americans
together to promote progressive visions for America's
future." |
www.commondreams.org |
| The
Nation |
"The Nation will not be the organ of any party,
sect, or body. It will, on the contrary, make an earnest
effort to bring to the discussion of political and
social questions a really critical spirit, and to
wage war upon the vices of violence, exaggeration,
and misrepresentation by which so much of the political
writing of the day is marred."
|
www.thenation.com |
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5. Independent Information Sources
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|
The New York Times
|
Editor's Note: Political
coverage is impeccable. The Op/Ed Page is a must read.
Sign up to get the email version in your inbox every
morning. |
www.nytimes.com |
| C-SPAN.org |
"Created by Cable. Offered
as a Public Service." |
www.cspan.org |
|
Operation Truth
|
"Operation Truth is a
non-profit 501c(4), non-partisan veterans' organization
that seeks to amplify the soldiers' voice in the American
public dialogue. Paul Rieckhoff, a First Lieutenant
in the Army Reserves, founded Operation Truth in June
2004, only months after he returned from a year-long
tour in Iraq. As of January 2005, Operation Truth represents
well over 300 OEF/OIF veterans, and has over 26,000
supporters." |
www.optruth.org |
| Public
Agenda |
"A nonpartisan, nonprofit
opinion research and civic engagement organization helping
Americans explore and understand critical issues since
1975" |
www.publicagenda.org |
|
NOW (PBS/NPR)
|
"Called "one of
the last bastions of serious journalism on TV"
by the AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, the series occupies
a unique place in the American television landscape.
For three seasons the broadcast has been led by Bill
Moyers. At the helm in 2005 is veteran journalist David
Brancaccio, who joined NOW in fall 2003 after a decade
as host of public radio's MARKETPLACE." |
www.pbs.org/now |
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6. Democratic Party Organizations
|
| Democratic
National Committee |
"The Democratic National Committee
(DNC) is the national party organization for the Democratic
Party of the United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson
in 1792." |
www.democrats.org |
| Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee |
"The Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee (DCCC) serves as the official national Democratic
campaign committee charged with recruiting, assisting,
funding, and electing Democrats to the U. S. House of
Representatives. " |
www.dccc.org |
| Democratic
Senatorial Campaign Comittee |
"Our mission is to elect more Democrats
to the United States Senate. From grass-roots organizing
to candidate recruitment to providing campaign funds
for tight races, the DSCC is working hard all year,
every year to increase the number of Democratic Senators." |
www.dscc.org |
| Democratic
Governors Association |
"Representing 12 Red states and 10
Blue states, Democratic Governors have moved the center
of gravity outside of the Beltway and into America’s
heartland." |
www.democraticgovernors.org |
| Democratic
Legislative Campaign Committee |
Editor's Note: This is the committee that
works to put the legislatures of individual states
into democratic hands.
- Chris C.
|
www.dlcc.org |
| Democrats
Abroad |
"The Democratic Party organization
for more than seven million US citizens living overseas.
Forty-five separate country committees throughout the
world organize local events and activities to encourage
participation in the American political process. " |
www.democratsabroad.org |
| The
Young Democrats of America |
"The Young Democrats of America (YDA)
has been the official youth arm of the Democratic Party
since 1932. Open to anyone under the age of 36 who affiliates
with the Democratic Party, YDA is a nationwide grassroots
organization with 42 chartered states and 780 local
chapters." |
www.yda.org |
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7. Liberal Activism / Partisan
Hackery / Punditry
|
|
Democratic
Leadership Council
|
"The DLC's mission is to promote public debate
within the Democratic Party and the public at large
about national and international policy and political
issues. Specifically, as the founding organization
of the New Democrat movement, the DLC's goal is to
modernize the progressive tradition in American politics
for the 21st Century by advancing a set of innovative
ideas for governing through a national network of
elected officials and community leaders."
Editor's Note: THE MOST influential left-wing
policy institute in America. -Chris C.
|
www.dlc.org |
|
People for
the American Way
|
"People for the American Way is an energetic
advocate for the values and institutions that sustain
a diverse and democratic society. Many of these are
threatened by the influence of the radical right and
its allies who have risen to positions of political
power."
Editor's Note: The best resource
for progressives in the Internet. Check out the wonderfully
annotated "Right Wing Watch."
|
www.pfaw.org |
| Center
for American Progress |
The Center for American Progress
is a nonpartisan research and educational institute
dedicated to promoting a strong, just and free America
that ensures opportunity for all.
|
www.americanprogress.org
|
| Campaign
for America's Future |
" We are challenging
the big money corporate agenda by encouraging Americans
to speak up — to discuss and debate a new vision
of an economy and a future that works for all of us.
America's Future insists that the question of falling
wages and rising insecurity be placed at the center
of our national debate. America's Future works to revitalize
a progressive agenda, and fights to make this economy
work for working people once again. " |
www.ourfuture.org |
|
Media Matters
for America
|
"Media Matters for America
is a Web-based, not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) progressive
research and information center dedicated to comprehensively
monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation
in the U.S. media." |
http://mediamatters.org/ |
| Democracy
For America |
"Inspired by the presidential
campaign of Howard Dean, Democracy for America (DFA)
is a political action committee dedicated to supporting
fiscally responsible, socially progressive candidates
at all levels of government—from school board to
the presidency. DFA fights against the influence of
the far right-wing and their radical, divisive policies
and the selfish special interests that for too long
have dominated our politics." |
www.democracyforamerica.com |
| 2020
Democrats |
"We must look not two
years into the future, but twenty. Our generation must
unite to develop a vision that extends beyond the priorities
of the immediate election cycle, a vision that articulates
the long-term aspirations of our party." |
www.2020democrats.org |
|
Heartland PAC
|
"This interactive effort is a call to action
for Democrats to regain the mantle as the Party of
ideas and to inspire bold new public policy around
the values of opportunity, security and responsibility."
Editor's Note: Watch Heartland PAC Char
Gov. Tom Vilsack run for President. - Chris C., October
14, 2005
|
www.HeartlandPAC.org |
| Americans
Coming Together |
"Republicans have been
investing heavily in political infrastructure for over
25 years. Vibrant state parties, candidate training
programs, and community organizing are pillars of their
plans for a “permanent Republican majority.”
Today, with Republicans in control of the White House,
Congress and many state and local governments, this
threat is more real than ever.
But in 2004, over 100,000 donors and activists began
to fight back by building America Coming Together.
In our first year: ACT opened 93 organizing offices
in 17 battleground states; ACT built a database of
over 60 million targeted voters; ACT trained over
5,000 organizers and precinct captains in 80 cities."
|
ActHere.com |
| Progressive
Majority |
"Progressive Majority
has a clear and bold purpose: To elect progressive champions
who will help change the direction of this country." |
www.progressivemajority.org |
| MoveOn |
"With over 3.3 million
members across America – from carpenters to stay-at-home
moms to business leaders – we work together to
realize the progressive vision of our country’s
founders. MoveOn is a service – a way for busy
but concerned citizens to find their political voice
in a system dominated by big money and big media." |
www.MoveOn.org |
|
Common Cause
|
"To strengthen public
participation and faith in our institutions of self-government;
to ensure that government and political processes serve
the general interest, rather than special interests;
to curb the excessive influence of money on government
decisions and elections; to promote fair elections and
high ethical standards for government officials; and
to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of all
Americans." |
www.commoncause.org |
| Act
Blue |
"Our goal at ActBlue is to make it easy for
you to fundraise for the Democratic candidates of
your choice — and to encourage you to make as
much of a difference as you can!"
Editor's Note: Founded by two kids from
Cambridge, MA. -Chris C.
|
www.actblue.com |
| Think
Blue |
"There are more than 100,000 Think Blue bands
on the wrists of people in all 50 states and more
than 10 countries around the world."
Editor's Note: Fantastic fundraising
tool for progressive organizations. -Chris C.
|
www.thinkbluedems.com |
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8. Conservative Publications
/ Hackery / Punditry
|
| The
Drudge Report |
Editor's Note:
Blog written by Conservative Matt Drudge ... this place
almost always breaks the news first. |
www.drudgereport.com |
| The
Weekly Standard |
"The Weekly Standard
made its debut on September 17, 1995. Edited by William
Kristol and Fred Barnes, the magazine is published 48
times a year by News America Incorporated." |
www.weeklystandard.com |
| Progress
for America |
"... PFA promotes nonpartisan,
conservative policies that improve the quality of life
for the American people. During the 109th Congress,
PFA will advance a conservative legislative agenda to
reform Social Security, confirm President Bush’s
judicial nominees, overhaul the tax code and end lawsuit
abuse..." |
www.progressforamerica.com |
| American
Legislative Exchange Council |
"A bipartisan membership association for conservative
state lawmakers who shared a common belief in limited
government, free markets, federalism, and individual
liberty. Their vision and initiative resulted in the
creation of a voluntary membership association for
people who believed that the government closest to
the people was fundamentally more effective, more
just, and a better guarantor of freedom than the distant,
bloated federal government in Washington, D.C."
Editor's Note: PFAW: "All
of ALEC’s officers who are state legislator members
are Republican."
|
www.alec.org |
| activistcash.com |
"ActivistCash.com, a project of the Center for
Consumer Freedom, provides the public and media with
in-depth profiles of anti-consumer activist groups,
along with information about the sources of their
exorbitant funding. "
Editor's Note: Blatantly and sickeningly
partisan "informational" (propaganda) website.
- Chris C.
|
www.activistcash.com |
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9. Massachusetts Think Tanks
|
| Beacon
Hill Institute |
" Grounded in the principles of limited
government, fiscal responsibility and free markets,
the Beacon Hill Institute engages in rigorous economic
research and conducts educational programs for the purpose
of producing and disseminating readable analyses of
current public policy issues to voters, taxpayers, opinion
leaders and policy makers." |
www.beaconhill.org |
| The
Five College Program in Peace and World Security Studies |
"...established in 1983 to foster
student and faculty awareness of major international
issues and to promote undergraduate education in the
peace and security field, broadly defined." |
pawss.hampshire.edu |
|
Center for Public Policy and Administration
University of Massachusetts Amherst
|
"The Center for Public Policy and
Administration engages in scholarly and applied research
affecting regional, national and global challenges,
facilitates ongoing exchange among policymakers, scholars,
and citizens, while offering innovative teaching and
applied learning opportunities to students." |
www.masspolicy.org |
| Massachusetts
Institute for a New Commonwealth |
"Promotes the growth and vitality
of the Middle Class" |
www.MassINC.org |
| Pioneer
Institute |
"...committed to individual freedom
and responsibility, limited and accountable government,
and the application of free market principles to state
and local policy..." |
www.pioneerinstitute.org |
| Massachusetts
Budget and Policy Center |
"The Massachusetts Budget and Policy
Center (MBPC) provides independent research and analysis
of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic
issues, that affect low- and moderate-income people
in Massachusetts." |
www.massbudget.org |
|
|
|
|
10. Selected Progressive Leaning
Think Tanks
|
| American
Democracy Institute |
"The American Democracy
Institute engages citizens in a national conversation
in order to discover a new relevancy for democracy in
the 21st century. As a nonprofit educational and research
institute, we provide a forum to discuss the principles
of democracy that bind us together and transcend our
individual interests, and promote innovative ideas for
putting these principles into practice locally and nationally." |
www.americandemocracyinstitute.org |
| The
Brookings Institution |
"The Brookings Institution,
one of Washington's oldest think tanks, is an independent,
nonpartisan organization devoted to research, analysis,
and public education with an emphasis on economics,
foreign policy, governance, and metropolitan policy.
" |
www.brookings.org |
| The
Carter Center |
The Carter Center,
in partnership with Emory University, is committed to
advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human
suffering through international peacemaking, promoting
democracy, disease control and prevention programs,
and championing mental health issues.
|
www.cartercenter.org |
| The
Century Foundation |
"The Century Foundation
conducts public policy research and analyses of economic,
social, and foreign policy issues, including inequality,
retirement security, election reform, media studies,
homeland security, and international affairs. The Century
Foundation is nonprofit and nonpartisan. It was founded
in 1919 by Edward A. Filene." |
www.tcf.org |
| Economic
Policy Institute |
"The mission of the Economic
Policy Institute is to provide high-quality research
and education in order to promote a prosperous, fair,
and sustainable economy. The Institute stresses real
world analysis and a concern for the living standards
of working people, and it makes its findings accessible
to the general public, the media, and policy makers." |
www.epinet.org |
| Center
on Budget and Policy Priorities |
"The Center on Budget
and Policy Priorities is one of the nation’s premier
policy organizations working at the federal and state
levels on fiscal policy and public programs that affect
low- and moderate-income families and individuals." |
www.cbpp.org |
|
|
|
|
|
11. Selected Conservative
Think Tanks
|
| The
American Enterprise Institute |
"The American Enterprise
Institute for Public Policy Research is dedicated to
preserving and strengthening the foundations of freedom--limited
government, private enterprise, vital cultural and political
institutions, and a strong foreign policy and national
defense--through scholarly research, open debate, and
publications." |
www.aei.org |
| The
Manhattan Institute |
"The Manhattan Institute
is a think tank whose mission is to develop and diseminate
new ideas that foster greater economic choice and individual
responsibility ... We have won new respect for market-oriented
policies and helped make reform a reality." |
www.manhattan-institute.org |
| The
Heritage Foundation |
"Founded in 1973, The
Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute
- a think tank - whose mission is to formulate and promote
conservative public policies based on the principles
of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom,
traditional American values, and a strong national defense." |
www.heritage.org |
| The
Cato Institute |
"The Cato Institute seeks
to broaden the parameters of public policy debate to
allow consideration of the traditional American principles
of limited government, individual liberty, free markets
and peace. Toward that goal, the Institute strives to
achieve greater involvement of the intelligent, concerned
lay public in questions of policy and the proper role
of government. " |
www.cato.org |
| The
Hoover Institution |
"... Both our social
and economic systems are based on private enterprise
from which springs initiative and ingenuity.... Ours
is a system where the Federal Government should undertake
no governmental, social or economic action, except where
local government, or the people, cannot undertake it
for themselves.... The overall mission of this Institution
is, from its records, to recall the voice of experience
against the making of war, and by the study of these
records and their publication, to recall man's endeavors
to make and preserve peace, and to sustain for America
the safeguards of the American way of life." |
www-hoover.stanford.edu |
| Clare
Booth Luce Policy Institute |
"...our mission is to
prepare young women for effective conservative leadership
and to promote school choice opportunities for all K-12
children in America." |
www.cblpolicyinstitute.org |
| The
Urban Institute |
"The Urban Institute is a nonprofit nonpartisan
policy research and educational organization established
to examine the social, economic, and governance problems
facing the nation. It provides information and analysis
to public and private decision makers to help them
address these challenges and strives to raise citizen
understanding of the issues and tradeoffs in policy
making."
|
www.urban.org |
|
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12. Important Massachusetts
Organizations
|
|
Neighbor To Neighbor
Massachusetts
|
"Neighbor to Neighbor
Massachusetts builds power in low-income and working
class communities around economic justice issues ...
By bringing low-income people back into the political
process, developing local leadership, and organizing
a broad coalition of allies, we hold politicians accountable
to the needs of their constituents and are building
a progressive majority in Massachusetts." |
www.n2nma.org |
| Progressive
Democrats of Massachusetts |
"We are deeply concerned
that people have become disconnected from the democratic
process and that many of the progressive ideals upon
which the Democratic Party was founded have been forgotten.
We aim to work within the Democratic Party through direct
issue advocacy, promotion of responsible government,
and the support and recruitment of progressive candidates
for elected office." |
www.progressivedems.org |
| Massachusetts
Voters for Fair Elections |
"Public financing systems
offer qualified and credible candidates who have raised
a certain number of low dollar contributions matching
funds to run campaigns. Public financing frees candidates
of the endless and shameful money chase, makes legislators
accountable to voters instead of donors and sharply
reduces conflicts of interests inherent in our privately
financed election system." |
www.massvoters.org |
| MASS
CARE |
"Massachusetts Campaign
For Single Payer Health Care (MASS-CARE) is a coalition
of over 90 organizations which are dedicated to work
for universal single payer health care in Massachusetts." |
www.masscare.org |
| Conservation
Law Foundation |
"Conservation Law Foundation
is New England’s leading environmental advocacy
organization." |
www.clf.org
|
| Massachusetts
Public Interest Research Group (MASSPIRG) |
"From our humble beginnings
as a student-founded organization to our current status
as one of the state's preeminent public interest advocacy
organizations, with over 50,000 members throughout the
Commonwealth, MASSPIRG has achieved much and fought
hard against the special interests in Massachusetts." |
www.masspirg.org |
| Massachusetts
Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus |
"MGLPC is the most experienced
and respected lobbying operation on Beacon Hill working
for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equal rights.
For 30 years MGLPC has represented your many interests
with full-time, professional lobbyists." |
www.mglpc.org |
| Environmental
League of Massachusetts |
"The Environmental League
of Massachusetts is dedicated to protecting the air,
water, and land for the people of the commonwealth.
We do this by voicing citizens' concerns, educating
the public, advocating for strong environmental laws,
and ensuring that our laws are implemented and enforced." |
www.environmentalleague.org |
| Mass
Scorecard |
"The Mass Scorecard publicizes
the voting records of all Massachusetts legislators
in comparison to the Democratic Party platform. It is
a major means of achieving open government and issue-based
accountability." |
www.massscorecard.org |
| Citizens
for Limited Taxation |
"Citizens for Limited
Taxation is the largest taxpayers association in Massachusetts.
CLT was founded in 1974 to defend state taxpayers against
a proposed state graduated income tax, which it defeated
on the 1976 statewide ballot and again on the 1994 ballot.
CLT also limited property taxes with Proposition 2½
in 1980 and created a state tax cap in 1986." |
cltg.org |
| Massachusetts Taxpayers
Foundation |
"We are a nationally
recognized, independent, non-partisan organization focusing
on state spending and tax policies and the Massachusetts
economy." |
www.masstaxpayers.org |
|
Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
|
"The Massachusetts Technology
Collaborative is the state’s development agency
for renewable energy and the innovation economy, which
is responsible for one-quarter of all jobs in the state.
MTC administers the John Adams Innovation Institute
and the Renewable Energy Trust. We work to stimulate
economic activity in communities throughout the Commonwealth." |
www.mtpc.org
|
|
|
|
|
13. Massachusetts Labor
Unions
|
| SEIU
Massachusetts |
The SEIU Massachusetts State Council is
the representative body of SEIU local unions in Massachusetts.
Together we represent over 75,000 SEIU members and their
families in Massachusetts. Through the State Council,
our local unions work together to:
- Support political candidates and legislation
that support the issues that affect union members
and working families
- Exchange information and provide mutual bargaining
assistance to SEIU members
- Encourage organizing among workers throughout
the Commonwealth.
- Help coordinate SEIU's Member Political Organizers
program
- Educate and involve members about issues in government
that affect their jobs and their lives.
|
www.seiuma.org |
| Massachusetts
AFL-CIO |
"The state AFL-CIO is affiliated
with the national AFL-CIO, whose member unions total
more than 13 million working men and women nationwide.
Like its parent AFL-CIO, the Mass AFL-CIO does no bargaining
with employers. It is not a union, but a union of unions.
" |
www.massaflcio.org |
|
Pioneer Valley
Central Labor Council
|
"PV AFL/CIO is a voluntary federation
of over 50 labor unions with members across the southern
Pioneer Valley. Our jurisdiction includes the greater
Springfield, MA area and all towns in Hampden County,
Massachusetts." |
www.pvaflcio.org |
| UMass
Graduate Employee Labor Union |
"If you're a Teaching Assitant (TA),
Teaching Associate (TO), Research Assistant (RA), Project
Assitant (PA), Assistant Resident Director (ARD), Intern,
Trainee, or Working Fellow on this campus, you're covered
by GEO stipends and benefits." |
unix.oit.umass.edu/~geo |
|
|
|
|
14. Development and Economic
Growth in Massachusestts
|
| Massachusetts
Small Business Development Center Network |
"The Massachusetts Small Business
Development Center Network provides high-quality, in-depth
counseling, training and capital access which contributes
to the entrepreneurial growth of small businesses throughout
Massachusetts." |
www.msbdc.org |
| Apollo
Alliance |
"rejuvenating our nation’s economy
by creating the next generation of American industrial
jobs and treating clean energy as an economic and security
mandate to rebuild America. " |
www.apolloalliance.org |
| National Association
of Regional Councils |
"The National Association of Regional
Councils (NARC) is the preeminent alliance for fostering
regional cooperation and building regional communities.
We advocate for regional approaches with federal and
state governments; provide training and technical assistance
on the latest regional developments; and conduct research
on timely regional topics." |
www.narc.org |
| Pioneer Valley Planning
Comission |
" Since 1962, the Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission has been the designated regional
planning body for the Pioneer Valley region, which encompasses
43 cities and towns in the Hampden and Hampshire county
areas. PVPC is the primary agency responsible for increasing
communication, cooperation, and coordination among all
levels of government as well as the private business
and civic sectors in order to benefit the Pioneer Valley
region and to improve its residents' quality of life." |
www.pvpc.org |
| Citizen's
Housing and Planning Association |
" CHAPA's mission is to encourage
the production and preservation of housing that is affordable
to low-income families and individuals. CHAPA pursues
its goals through advocacy with local, state and federal
officials; research on affordable-housing issues; education
and training for organizations and individuals; and
coalition- and consensus-building among broad interests
in the field." |
www.chapa.org |
| Massachusetts
Association of Community Development Corporations |
"MACDC is the policy and capacity-building
arm of the community development movement in Massachusetts.
Our mission is to support and advance the affordable
housing, economic development and community building
strategies of our members, and to build the power of
low and moderate income people to achieve greater economic,
social and racial justice. Founded in 1982, MACDC currently
has 85 members, including 65 CDC members and 20 associate
members." |
www.macdc.org |
| Boston Metropolitan
Area Planning Comission |
"he Council enhances the quality
of life and competitive advantage of the Boston metropolitan
region in the global economy by providing a focus for
action and developing sound responses to issues of regional
significance. Council membership consists of community
representatives, gubernatorial appointees and city and
state agencies who collaborate in the development of
comprehensive plans and recommendations in areas of
population and employment, transportation, economic
development, regional growth and the environment. The
Council also provides technical assistance and advocacy
to its member communities." |
www.mapc.org |
| Massachusetts
Smart Growth Alliance |
"The members of the Massachusetts
Smart Growth Alliance share a common vision of Massachusetts:
healthy, diverse and prosperous communities; working
landscapes and critical environmental resources protected
from development; urban reinvestment and community development;
transportation and housing choice and affordability;
and regional equity and opportunity." |
www.ma-smartgrowth.org |
|
|
|
|
15. More Important Organizations
|
| Jobs
With Justice |
"JwJ's mission is to improve working
people's standard of living, fight for job security,
and protect workers' right to organize. JwJ's core belief
is that in order to be successful, workers' rights struggles
have to be part of a larger campaign for economic and
social justice. To that end, JwJ has created a network
of local coalitions that connect labor, faith-based,
community, and student organizations to work together
on workplace and community social justice campaigns." |
www.jwj.org |
| National
Voting Rights Institute |
"The National Voting Rights Institute
is a non-partisan, non-profit organization committed
to making real the promise of American democracy that
meaningful political participation and power should
be accessible to all regardless of economic or social
status. NVRI is based in Boston, though NVRI can be
found wherever in the country voters are disenfranchised." |
www.nvri.org |
| The
American Civil Liberties Union |
"The ACLU is our nation's guardian
of liberty. We work daily in courts, legislatures and
communities to defend and preserve the individual rights
and liberties guaranteed to every person in this country
by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Our
job is to conserve America's original civic values -
the Constitution and the Bill of Rights." |
www.aclu.org |
| Clean
Water Action |
"Clean Water Action is a national
citizens' organization working for clean, safe and affordable
water, prevention of health-threatening pollution, creation
of environmentally-safe jobs and businesses, and empowerment
of people to make democracy work." |
www.cleanwateraction.org |
| National
Organization for Women (NOW) |
"Since its founding in 1966, NOW's
goal has been to take action to bring about equality
for all women. NOW works to eliminate discrimination
and harassment in the workplace, schools, the justice
system, and all other sectors of society; secure abortion,
birth control and reproductive rights for all women;
end all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism,
sexism and homophobia; and promote equality and justice
in our society." |
www.now.org |
| The
Center for Policy Alternatives |
"The Center for Policy Alternatives
(CPA) empowers state legislators by simultaneously working
at three levels: providing values-based leadership development
programs to make legislators into more effective advocates
for progressive policy; developing user-friendly policy
tools on a wide variety of issues, making it easy for
legislators to introduce and argue for progressive legislation;
and building a strong, coordinated network of legislators
across the states, enabling them to support one another
as they take on the often-scary and sometimes-lonely
job of leading the fight for progressive change." |
www.stateaction.org |
| ACORN |
"ACORN, the Association of Community
Organizations for Reform Now, is the nation's largest
community organization of low- and moderate-income families,
working together for social justice and stronger communities
... ACORN's accomplishments include successful campaigns
for better housing, schools, neighborhood safety, health
care, job conditions, and more." |
www.acorn.org |
| The
League of PISSED OFF Voters |
"The League of PISSED OFF Voters
is doing national voter-organizing out of New York City.
Our mission is to engage pissed off 17-35 year olds
in the democratic process to build a progressive governing
majority in our lifetime." |
www.indyvoter.org |
| Next
Wave of Women in Power |
"The Next Wave of Women & Power
(NWWP) is an international leadership development network
designed for young women ages 18-40. NWWP holistically
engages young women in a rigorous experiential curriculum
that 1) enhances their wisdom, creativity and intuition,
2) challenges their existing notions about power and
3) encourages the building of global community." |
www.WeGotIssues.org |
| United
States Student Association |
"USSA believes education is a right
and works on building grassroots power among students
to win concrete victories that expand access to education
at the federal, state and campus level." |
www.usstudents.org |
| United
Students Against Sweatshops |
"United Students Against Sweatshops
is an international student movement of campuses and
individual students fighting for sweatshop free labor
conditions and workers' rights." |
studentsagainstsweatshops.org |
|
Filibuster Frist
|
Editor's note: UMass
took part in this effort to save the filibuster in May
2005. Check out what campus groups can do when we're
organized! - Chris C. |
www.filibusterfrist.com |
| Woman's
National Democratic Club |
"WNDC engages members (women and
men) in public affairs and serves as a forum for Democratic
leaders. Club membership benefits include outstanding
speaker programs with legislators, first ladies, ambassadors,
authors, and other public figures - as well the opportunity
to study key issues, advance public policy, serve on
task forces and network with other Democrats." |
www.democraticwoman.org |
| Independent
Press Association |
"The Independent Press Association's
mission is to amplify the power of independent publications
so as to foster a more just, open and democratic society.
The IPA provides technical assistance, access to capital,
and newsstand distribution services to over 500 member
publications nationwide, including Mother Jones, Ms.
Magazine, The Nation, Harpers and others." |
www.indypress.org |
| Americans
for Energy Independence |
"Our mission is to help America become
more aware of the current and potential dangers of our
being dependent upon other countries for our energy
needs. We will also present possible solutions and highlight
the benefits of becoming energy independent." |
www.ei2025.org |
| Swing
the State |
"Swing the State started in January,
2004 as an anti-Bush travel agency and channeled more
than 20,000 volunteer hours into the movement to beat
Bush. We coordinated 1,100 work breaks for progressive
volunteers to help groups like ACT, ACORN, and Kerry
'04 register and turn out progressive voters." |
www.swingthestate.org |
|
|
|
|
16. Pioneer Valley Politicians (we
love these guys...)
|
| Peter
Vickery |
Progressive Democrat, Governor's
Councillor for the 8th district in Massachusetts |
www.votevickery.com |
| Stan
Rosenberg |
President Pro Tem, Massachusetts
Senate; Hampshire-Franklin District |
www.stanrosenberg.com |
| Stephen
Kulik |
Democrat, State Representative;
First Franklin (includes Sunderland, parts of Belchertown,
and Pelham) |
www.mass.gov... |
| Ellen
Story |
Democrat, State Representative;
Third Hampshire. - Consisting of the towns of Amherst
and Granby, both in the county of Hampshire. |
www.mass.gov
... |
| John
Olver |
1st Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives
Editor's Note: Former UMass Amherst
Professor of Chemistry. - Chris C.
|
www.house.gov/olver |
|
|
|
|
17. Government Accountability
|
|
Congressional Budget Office
|
"The Congressional Budget Office
is a small, nonpartisan agency that produces policy
analyses, cost estimates of legislation, and budget
and economic projections that serve as a basis for the
Congress's decisions about spending and taxes. Every
piece of legislation affecting the use of the nation's
resources undergoes CBO's scrutiny." |
www.cbo.gov |
| Government Performance
Project |
" The Government Performance Project
(GPP) is the nation’s only source for comprehensive
and independent information about state management performance.
Our mission is to give state governments information
they can use to improve management and achieve their
goals." |
results.gpponline.org |
| Auditor of the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts |
"The OSA works to make government
more accountable and effective by reducing waste and
eliminating fraud, by identifying opportunities for
cost avoidance and non-tax revenue enhancement, and
by assisting in improving program performance." |
www.mass.gov/sao |
| Center for Responsive
Politics |
" The Center for Responsive Politics
is a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in
Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and
its effect on elections and public policy. The Center
conducts computer-based research on campaign finance
issues for the news media, academics, activists, and
the public at large. The Center’s work is aimed
at creating a more educated voter, an involved citizenry,
and a more responsive government." |
www.crp.org |
|
Government Accountability Office
|
"Congress asks GAO to study the programs
and expenditures of the federal government. GAO, commonly
called the investigative arm of Congress or the congressional
watchdog, is independent and nonpartisan. It studies
how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars." |
www.gao.gov |
|
|
|
|
18. Current Democratic
Political Candidates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| wonk.NOT |
"Practical Framing of
Progressive Values for Massachusetts. It's About People!" |
wonknot.typepad.com/values |
| Blue
Mass Group |
"Reality-based commentary
on politics and policy in Massachusetts and around the
nation" |
www.bluemassgroup.com |
| Fred
Clarkson |
Local blogger, author, activist
- out of Northampton, MA |
www.frederickclarkson.com |
| Michael
Forbes Wilcox |
Local blogger, activist -
out of Berkshire County, MA |
www.mfw.us |
| Dem
Apples |
The Official Blog of the Harvard
College Democrats |
www.demapples.com |
|
|
|
|
20. Right-Wing Attacks
on Gays and Lesbians
|
| Concerned
Women for America |
"We are the nation's
largest public policy women's organization with a rich
25-year history of helping our members across the country
bring Biblical principles into all levels of public
policy." |
www.cwfa.org |
|
Institute for
American Values
|
"The Institute for American Values, founded
in 1987, is a private, nonpartisan organization devoted
to contributing intellectually to the renewal of marriage
and family life and the sources of competence, character,
and citizenship."
Editor's Note: Gary Bauer, president,
calls gay marriage "the new abortion."
|
www.americanvalues.org |
| The
Family Protection Lobby |
"Committed to educating
both citizens and legislators concerning the vital issues
that confront the family today: ABORTION, PORNOGRAPHY,
HOMOSEXUALITY, EDUCATION, GAMBLING..." |
www.fplmd.org |
| Marriage
Amendment Project |
"Pro-family organizations
across the country are addressing the issue of a "Marriage
Protection Amendment" to encourage Americans to
take a stand for marriage. Like the overwhelming majority
of Americans, these pro family (sic) organizations believe
marriage is the union of one man and one woman." |
www.formarriage.org |
| Thomas
More Law Center |
"The Thomas More Law
Center is a not-for-profit public interest law firm
dedicated to the defense and promotion of the religious
freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and
the sanctity of human life ... Our ministry was inspired
by the recognition that the issues of the cultural war
being waged across America, issues such as abortion,
pornography, school prayer, and the removal of the Ten
Commandments from municipal and school buildings, are
not being decided by elected legislatures, but by the
courts." |
www.thomasmore.org |
| Family
Research Council |
"The Family Research
Council (FRC) champions marriage and family as the foundation
of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring
of society. FRC shapes public debate and formulates
public policy that values human life and upholds the
institutions of marriage and the family. Believing that
God is the author of life, liberty, and the family,
FRC promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis
for a just, free, and stable society." |
www.frc.org |
|
|
|
|
21. The Right-Wing
vies for Supreme Court Hegemony: Living Constitutionalism
vs. Originalism
|
|
Robert H. Bork
|
Editor's Note: If
not the father, then the Great Uncle of modern neo-conservatism.
Failed nominee for justice of the supreme court in 1987
- many conservatives still raw about it. Was complicit
in the the Nixon Administration's efforts to cover up
Watergate (fired special prosecutor Archibald H. Cox
after Cox subpoenaed the White House tapes) |
Amazon.com
book review:
Slouching
Towards Gomorrah
|
| The
Federalist Society |
"The Federalist Society
for Law and Public Policy Studies is a group of conservatives
and libertarians interested in the current state of
the legal order. It is founded on the principles that
the state exists to preserve freedom, that the separation
of governmental powers is central to our Constitution,
and that it is emphatically the province and duty of
the judiciary to say what the law is, not what it should
be.
The Society seeks both to promote an awareness of
these principles and to further their application
through its activities. This entails reordering priorities
within the legal system to place a premium on individual
liberty, traditional values, and the rule of law."
|
www.fed-soc.org |
| The
Judicial Confirmation Network |
"The Judicial Confirmation
Network is an organization of citizens joined together
to support the confirmation of highly qualified individuals
to the Supreme Court of the United States. In addition,
JCN works to ensure that the confirmation process for
all judicial nominees is fair and that every nominee
sent to the full Senate receives an up or down vote...
We believe that the proper role of a judge or justice
is to interpret the law and the Constitution –
not make up the law and deprive the people of the
right to govern ourselves.
We believe that a judge or a justice should not use
the power of the court to impose his or her personal
or political agenda on the people."
|
judicialnetwork.com |
| The
Committee for Justice |
"The Committee for Justice
(CFJ) and Committee for Justice Foundation (CFJF) is
composed of eminent leaders, former government officials,
legal scholars, and practitioners based in Washington,
DC united to defend and promote constitutionalist judicial
nominees to the federal courts and educates the public
on the importance of judges in American life." |
www.committeeforjustice.org |
|
|
|
|
22. Ways
to support our Armed Forces Abroad
|
| USO |
"Since before the United
States entered World War II, the USO (United Service
Organizations) has been a bridge between the American
people and the U.S. military. In times of peace and
war, the USO has consistently delivered its special
brand of comfort, morale and recreational services to
service members and their families. A nonprofit, congressionally
chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the
generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations
to support USO activities. The USO is not part of the
U.S. Government but is endorsed by the President of
the United States and the Department of Defense. Each
President has been the Honorary Chairman of the USO
since its inception.
The USO mission is to provide morale, welfare and
recreation-type services to our men and women in uniform.
The original intent of Congress—and enduring
style of USO delivery—is to represent the American
people by extending a touch of home to the military."
|
www.uso.org |
| Unmet Needs |
"Since 2003, the Veterans
of Foreign Wars, through the VFW Foundation, has provided
millions of dollars of support to Americans serving
in harm’s way. As this risk continues abroad and
here at home, financial demands on the families of those
serving continue to grow. Helping ease the burden of
our military families in need is the mission of the
VFW Unmet Needs Program." |
www.unmetneeds.com |
|
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Updated November 5th, 2005
|
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