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NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 08:41 PM Nov 2014

Progressive Reform Brainstorming Thread! Post your links to helpful resources and organizations.

Hi All!

Please use this thread to post links to any resources, organizations, or articles that may be helpful to members of this group in developing strategies to support reform of the Democratic Party...

Please include a short descriptor and then a link, like this:

List of Leading U.S. Progressive Organizations: http://www.startguide.org/orgs/orgs00.html

Thanks everyone!







43 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Progressive Reform Brainstorming Thread! Post your links to helpful resources and organizations. (Original Post) NYC_SKP Nov 2014 OP
al franken 2016. no link yet but hopeful nt msongs Nov 2014 #1
wolf-pac.com Half-Century Man Nov 2014 #2
Excellent Aerows Nov 2014 #8
Good people, actual grassroot Half-Century Man Nov 2014 #9
We need to tackle what the Supreme Court did in its ruling in Arizona earlier... cascadiance Nov 2014 #14
That is one of the most important issues and probably is going to be one of the hardest to sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #20
Check it out. Half-Century Man Nov 2014 #24
YAY, another Wolfie! Odin2005 Nov 2014 #30
Right now, just a wolf cub Half-Century Man Nov 2014 #32
Yay Wolf-Pac !!! WillyT Nov 2014 #36
I've found both Democracy for America and the Working Families Party to be good progressive groups Chathamization Nov 2014 #3
second this. dfa here is going strong. mopinko Nov 2014 #6
'Building the Bench'. The party needs to be rebuilt from the bottom up so this sounds like a very sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #21
Excellent! Phlem Nov 2014 #4
Glad to see this forum for progressive input to our Democratic agendas. pinto Nov 2014 #5
We'll compile these into a pinned thread, maybe. Another list from Sourcewatch: NYC_SKP Nov 2014 #7
K&R. Will try to see what I can find... But I'm usually involved with my liberal district. freshwest Nov 2014 #10
Independent redistricting JonLP24 Nov 2014 #11
That's good news from Az, that a measure like that passed as a ballot issue. sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #22
This message was self-deleted by its author KoKo Nov 2014 #12
Progressives’ Route to Power Beyond 2014--Report/Action from PCCC KoKo Nov 2014 #13
That should be an OP Koko. I get their emails and they are doing great work. The more people sabrina 1 Nov 2014 #23
Don't get me started!!! Spitfire of ATJ Nov 2014 #15
Awesome, thanks! NYC_SKP Nov 2014 #16
Can anyone join this group? Lifelong Protester Nov 2014 #17
It's not a closed group that one needs to join. NYC_SKP Nov 2014 #18
Thanks! I might be more of a reader/learner Lifelong Protester Nov 2014 #19
Any discussion of War & Peace swilton Nov 2014 #25
Do Media Voices Count RadicalGeek Nov 2014 #26
I think that's fine, would ask that you also post that to the DU Progressive Media Resources Group. NYC_SKP Nov 2014 #27
Will do RadicalGeek Nov 2014 #28
Please join Wolf-PAC and help get corporate money out of politics! Odin2005 Nov 2014 #29
The Roosevelt Institute PADemD Nov 2014 #31
Green Party Platform Zorra Nov 2014 #33
Two more swilton Nov 2014 #34
For Research Purposes "Moyers & Company's" Videos of All Shows KoKo Nov 2014 #35
SOLIDARITY first, POLICY second Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #37
Progressive Democrats of America: NYC_SKP Nov 2014 #38
This message was self-deleted by its author Cosmic Kitten Nov 2014 #39
Center for Progressive Reform RiverLover Nov 2014 #40
Progressive Change Campaign Committee RiverLover Nov 2014 #41
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law think Nov 2014 #42
Sharing Breakthrough Ideas in Politics: Jill Alper & Friends UrbScotty Nov 2014 #43
 

cascadiance

(19,537 posts)
14. We need to tackle what the Supreme Court did in its ruling in Arizona earlier...
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 04:31 PM
Nov 2014

... which has been a big problem in terms of precedent being set to provide proper funding of publicly funded candidates to effectively compete with privately funded candidates. Here's an article to read on this...

http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2010/04/21/house-panel-oks-clean-elections-repeal/

Note in that article in the last paragraph that Sandra Day O'Connor's law firm was the legal entity that brought forth this lawsuit that the Supreme Court ultimately ruled upon in this case to our detriment.

And she seems quite the hypocrite then complaining about the effect of Citizen's United on elections, when it was her law firm that perhaps effectively shut down one way that public funding could be use to fight money being in our elections.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/weigel/2011/06/27/sandra_day_o_connor_worries_about_scotus_s_new_tack_on_campaign_finance.html

This should tell us that with even Sandra Day O'Connor working against publicly financed elections, that we have a big job on our hands trying to get this to happen. We need to be aware of all of these historical events to ensure that what we put together and what we want to push is able to deal with those that will fight us in putting it in place. That will not be an easy fight.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
20. That is one of the most important issues and probably is going to be one of the hardest to
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 01:05 AM
Nov 2014

implement. But we have to start somewhere. Thanks for the link.

 

WillyT

(72,631 posts)
36. Yay Wolf-Pac !!!
Sat Nov 15, 2014, 08:24 PM
Nov 2014

They already have Vermont and California onboard, and it has passed out of committee in New Jersey, and is awaiting a vote.

PLUS... they elected three Wolf-Pac activists to state offices, kicking one 16 term guy from Vermont (who stood in their way) out!




Chathamization

(1,638 posts)
3. I've found both Democracy for America and the Working Families Party to be good progressive groups
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 08:58 PM
Nov 2014

Around here they've both been good at getting the word out and helping to organize for progressive candidates (I wasn't 100% happy with WFPs endorsements in the primary, but in general they've been good). My local DFA group in particular has been a great place to connect with progressive activists (and if you're in DC, I really suggest you check them out). It's also great that both groups are active at the very local level and at the national level.

mopinko

(71,741 posts)
6. second this. dfa here is going strong.
Wed Nov 12, 2014, 09:46 PM
Nov 2014

especially working for the down ticket races.
building the bench. so important.

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
21. 'Building the Bench'. The party needs to be rebuilt from the bottom up so this sounds like a very
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 01:07 AM
Nov 2014

good way to do it. The people need a say in who runs for office. And the best way to start finding and supporting candidates at the local level so they are known to the people and know what the people want when they are ready to go to Congress.

JonLP24

(29,348 posts)
11. Independent redistricting
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 04:59 AM
Nov 2014

Arizona has it because most voters want it as it passed because of a ballot measure.

It led to an open process that led to more sensible drawn competitive districts. Democrats have won 5 out of the 9 districts but most of the races going back to 2012 weren't easy either. It also decreases the "wasted vote" mindset seen in badly drawn districts that favor incumbents.

http://azredistricting.org/

(Google currently has a disclaimer that the site may be hacked)

Response to NYC_SKP (Original post)

KoKo

(84,711 posts)
13. Progressives’ Route to Power Beyond 2014--Report/Action from PCCC
Thu Nov 13, 2014, 10:27 AM
Nov 2014

Last edited Thu Nov 13, 2014, 11:21 AM - Edit history (1)

By Marissa Barrow--Progressive Committee for Congressional Change

Last Tuesday was not a repeat of 2012, when PCCC members helped elect 30 amazing candidates — including Elizabeth Warren. It looked more like 2010. It was tough. It was disappointing.

Candidates who ran great campaigns — and should have won — lost in the Republican wave. Bold progressives achieved some important victories Election Night, and some were too close for comfort.

The PCCC Post-Election Report outlines the huge investments made this election cycle that are now for the long term — in future leaders, new technology, new best practices, and more member empowerment. All in addition to congressional victories. CHECK IT OUT (PDF) HERE:

http://boldprogressives.org/2014/11/progressives-route-to-power-beyond-2014/

Frankly, Democrats did not have a united economic agenda in this election. There was a lack of big ideas. Some Democrats tried to sound like Republicans, and they lost.

Elizabeth Warren was the most popular Democrat on the campaign trail for a reason: Her message of taking on Wall Street, reducing student debt, and expanding Social Security benefits is popular everywhere — red, purple, and blue states.


Moving forward, something needs to change. America needs a bigger politics.

Progressives won’t win their own tidal wave elections unless they can build a movement around big ideas — free college, full employment, Medicare for All, more Social Security — and the candidates who campaign on those ideas. Elizabeth Warren is the best example. But there are thousands of others out there who believe in a more expansive vision of political change.


If you believe in this — if you are ready to fight hard for big ideas — TELL US HERE:

http://boldprogressives.org/2014/11/progressives-route-to-power-beyond-2014/

The PCCC started down this path in 2013 — when our members changed the national debate from cutting Social Security to expanding it. Many candidates won last night by running on that message.

MORE about PCC's Election Night Campaign Wins at:

http://boldprogressives.org/2014/11/progressives-route-to-power-beyond-2014/

sabrina 1

(62,325 posts)
23. That should be an OP Koko. I get their emails and they are doing great work. The more people
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 01:15 AM
Nov 2014

who support them the stronger and better they will become. Now that we see the whole picture, the Third Way influence on our party, and the futility of continuing to empower them by continuing to do what we've done before, people are going to be able to devote more time to do what needs to be done, rather than wasting any more time 'hoping' that maybe 'this time' it will for the people.

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
18. It's not a closed group that one needs to join.
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 12:01 AM
Nov 2014

Anyone can contribute, nobody is blocked, and there's an expectation that posting members respect the group Statement of Purpose.

Lifelong Protester

(8,421 posts)
19. Thanks! I might be more of a reader/learner
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 12:04 AM
Nov 2014

but I often 'follow' the posts of the folks who are already here.

 

swilton

(5,069 posts)
25. Any discussion of War & Peace
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 07:24 PM
Nov 2014

should look at US foreign policies in the Middle East - essentially the elephant in the room.

Here are just two websites that give an objective view that counters the propaganda provided by AIPAC

http://www.ifamericansknew.org/


http://www.thejerusalemfund.org/

There are others.



Thank you for being considered to contribute to this discussion.

RadicalGeek

(344 posts)
26. Do Media Voices Count
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 07:33 PM
Nov 2014

The Rick Smith Show is a progressive, populist, pro-labor radio program based out of Carlisle, PA.

http://ricksmithshow.com/

RadicalGeek

(344 posts)
28. Will do
Fri Nov 14, 2014, 09:28 PM
Nov 2014

I feel like I'm his semi-official PR man.

(I should help him rig up a mobile app for the show--IMO)

PADemD

(4,482 posts)
31. The Roosevelt Institute
Sat Nov 15, 2014, 08:21 AM
Nov 2014

The Roosevelt Institute is a nonprofit organization devoted to carrying forward the legacy and values of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt by developing progressive ideas and bold leadership in the service of restoring America’s promise of opportunity for all.

http://www.rooseveltinstitute.org/about

A New Deal for the 21st Century
http://www.rooseveltinstitute.org/about#New_Deal

The Four Freedoms Center
The Four Freedoms Center develops bold ideas that are beyond the narrow parameters of the current political debate. They form the foundation of a New Deal for the 21st century.

http://rooseveltinstitute.org/programs/four-freedoms-center

KoKo

(84,711 posts)
35. For Research Purposes "Moyers & Company's" Videos of All Shows
Sat Nov 15, 2014, 04:14 PM
Nov 2014

Bill Moyers has done some great shows on "Populism and Fighting Back" with many ideas from his Guests.

They are now available on You Tube and some of them are really worth a re-visit if we want to build a Rump of the Dem Party for Progressive Populism.

It's worth a look just to go to the link and scan the shows for ideas:

Uploads from Moyers & Company

by Moyers & Company
307 videos
20,625 views


http://www.youtube.com/user/MoyersandCompany/videos

Cosmic Kitten

(3,498 posts)
37. SOLIDARITY first, POLICY second
Mon Nov 17, 2014, 11:45 AM
Nov 2014

Populist Reform will require solidarity first.
Policy is secondary.
This is simply because chasing policy
would amount to a wack-a-mole approach.

WHO do POPULISTS represent?
Am I a Populist?
That is creating solidarity.

What do WE, the Populists want?
POLICY 1: Fix a broken election system.

How is it done?
Study the opposition playbooks
Learn the tactics
Know the players
Recognize the tools
Find unlikely allies
Know thyself
Study The Wizard of Oz: A populist parable if there ever was one

Response to NYC_SKP (Reply #38)

UrbScotty

(23,987 posts)
43. Sharing Breakthrough Ideas in Politics: Jill Alper & Friends
Wed Nov 26, 2014, 10:19 PM
Nov 2014

Less about policy and more about politics/campaigns/strategy:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharing-Breakthrough-Ideas-in-Politics-Jill-Alper-Friends/805671376158792?sk=timeline

Alper is a longtime political operative and currently a DNC member from Michigan.

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