As of this morning,
The Principles Project is officially online. It is an ambitious undertaking -- nothing less than the creation of a constitution for progressives. And the mechanism for producing it is an Internet Constitutional Convention -- with
all of us as delegates -- working through a series of drafts to refine the philosophy and language.
The Project is supported by a strong core of progressive organizations: 2020 Democrats, 21st Century Democrats, the Rockridge Institute, Cosmopolity and others. The steering committee has paid me the great compliment of inviting me to help moderate the discussions.
Please read the "formal" invitation to participate from Jean Paul Rollert, Chair of the project. It's below. Then forward the information to your various lists, and plunge right in!
Dear Friends,
When the media talks about how Democrats have a "moral values
problem," what they really mean is that progressives have failed at
communicating core principles. We need to change that, which is why I
am asking you to take part in The Principles Project. Spearheaded by
2020 Democrats in partnership with a host of activists, intellectuals,
electeds, and other progressive groups, The Principles Project is a
nationwide online effort to unite the progressive movement with common
language to describe our core set of principles.
http://www.principlesproject.com
A large group of volunteers have already drafted a statement of
progressive principles, but over the next four weeks, our community
will work together online through three further drafting stages to
revise, rewrite, and perfect a statement of progressive principles.
Only after this document has been renovated and rebuilt by thousands
of participants will it be something we can all embrace and believe
in. The power is in your hands.
http://www.principlesproject.com
Democrats in Washington recognize that an effort like this is needed.
We've already gotten the involvement of members of Congress, including
Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky as
Honorary Co-Chairs, as well as the support of Minority Leader Nancy
Pelosi. They understand that there are values and ideals that bind us,
but we need a better, simpler way to communicate them.
Join us in the discussion, and tell your friends and colleagues to
join as well. In a week when President Bush will be outlining his
vision for America, we must rally together to put forward ours.
Sincerely,
John Paul
John Paul Rollert
Chair, The Principles Project
PS - Please pass the word on to like-minded friends and be sure to
direct them to the website:
http://www.principlesproject.com