__________________________________________________________________________________________ WHY: WELCOME to Progressive4change.org.   I am a patriot and I love my country. I am a progressive liberal. I think that human beings should not starve. I have concluded that war is a terrible thing and, largely an unnecessary one. While I believe that we are rapidly devastating our fragile earth, I know that we are all part of, and utterly dependant on it. I think fundamentalist religious dogma has, in the long measure, been more harmful to the world, than helpful. I believe that humans are capable of tremendous compassion, understanding and love. I think that science, reason and justice will be the mechanisms of our survival as a species. I also believe that human kind has the capacity to create a better world for all of us; one where we respect, preserve and protect our planet for future generations; a world where we work for the common good of everyone. A world of peace, collaboration, understanding and respect. A world   where all of our basic needs and rights as living beings can be met. I have always believed that the United States of America, as a concept, has had the greatest potential to fulfill these ideals. Every country has a flag; most countries have constitutions. Many of those establish certain rights and principles. However 230 years ago, our founders saw the need to establish a framework by which we could govern ourselves without the hand of tyranny. Make no mistake, our constitution and subsequent enumerated rights, was not then, and is certainly not now a utopian democratic system from which our highest potential as a species will be realized. BUT... it was, and IS, our best HOPE for reaching that promise. This all leads me to why I have started this website. For some time now we have been witnessing the disintegration of many of the very core principles that we all assume are a part of the bedrock of our public policy and national structure. Our political system is mortally wounded, and our republic is in dire need of critical care. That care and treatment must come from we, the governed. The People. You. Me. Her. Him. They and Them. As many have said before, it is time for citizenship 101. Time to study. This time the homework counts. This test is pass/fail. Failing is not an option. No democracy left behind! ______________________________________________________________________________ ABOUT: The primary goals of this site are twofold: The first goal for progressive4change will be to function as a "portal" or information clearinghouse. The author's goal is to create a library of links, values and facts, that will "cover the basses" in terms of news, opinion and source material from the progressive perspective. The second, and critical, goal for progressive4change is to make the case:  Why is the progressive/liberal vision on government, social and public policy a better one? How has liberalism made today's world a better place?  What is the REAL agenda of those in power today? To engage in a meaningful dialog about the condition and direction of this great experiment, especially when engaging an opposition that is not reality and fact based, it is critical for citizens to gather together, understand more thoroughly, and learn how to explain our positions. Ancillary goals I hope to achieve here are an active and frequently viewed/updated blog, activist opportunities, and a "library" page where the literature that informs, inspires and lubricates this great debate can be found. Progressive4change will be a place where those who have never been active in progressive politics can get started by getting energized, inspired and informed... It will also be a place where those who have been active for a while can reach, teach and inspire those of us who are just getting started ! A place where our ultimate goal is taking our country back by working to support, elect, and HOLD ACCOUNTABLE, fellow Americans who will govern from a progressive point of view. We will also work to let those currently in power know that we are watching and listening to them, and that we have high expectations. If you are here, you believe that positive changes will only happen if progressives like us MAKE them happen. It can not be stated in more stark terms: Without direct action, progressives will not win power - and it is power that we must have to effect the changes we all believe are so important to the survival of this country and world. There is ONE Certainty:  If we do not become active on some level,  NOTHING will change for the better; it will only get worse.  It is time for Government 101, folks. Those that sit atop the highest levels of our government and the highest levels of corporate America will continue to rape and pillage our natural planet and will continue to cut away at the fabric of our most basic liberties that we have taken for granted all these years, if we do not learn how to win, use and keep power. This can not be repeated enough - Progressives MUST become comfortable with winning and holding political power - if we do not, we will lose. Losing is being defined in real costs even as you read this: The environment loses; liberty loses, equality loses, poor people lose, science loses, women lose, children lose, fairness loses and education loses. Humanity Loses. These are real and tangible results of a passive electorate.   When Progressives govern, greed and selfishness lose, intolerance loses, bigotry loses, polluters lose, religious fanatics lose, crime loses, liars lose and discrimination loses. Isn't it time for progressive leadership? If not now, when? TOP