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There is a word for what makes ordinary Americans grab hold of an issue and not let go: Patriotism
It is what brought Americans from all walks of life and from every political persuasion together in the days after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. We mourned our losses and stood together for a time against a common enemy. Since then, we have seen the tragedy of September 11th exploited to advance the interests of a political agenda that is out of sync with the patriotism that brought us together.
A great future in
our past.
Positive action is possible. America's history is full of great political leaders who have risen above the politics of their day to improve the lives of Americans. Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the country through the Great Depression, and through a public and private partnership, unleashed the scientific community to work for a cure for polio. Abraham Lincoln took on the powerful economic and social institution of slavery. Dwight Eisenhower, General turned politician, took on the institutions from which he came, warning the country about the emerging power of the military industrial complex. Even Richard Nixon, who resigned the Presidency in shame, left a positive legacy. Under his administration, the Environmental Protection Agency was founded to enforce the Clean Air Act and a host of other laws designed to protect and conserve the environment. These Presidents got results, improved our lives and enriched our democracy.by putting the interests of the country ahead of political parties.
Similarly, wealthy businessmen have risen above their own special interests to use their vast resources and influence to help build a strong and more prosperous country. Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Julius Rosenwald and Henry Ford exercised enlightened self-interest to help build the nation. These business leaders understood that the right philanthropic investments—such as better health care, education and housing—would help Americans live a better life and, in turn, make the country more prosperous. Good giving was good for business.
Today, extremist partisan politics and narrow self-interest are undermining public life in America. Many people no longer believe that high purpose or ideals guide the political process. Critical thinking and healthy skepticism are being replaced by distrust and alienation—the bitter fruits of cynicism.
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So, where do we
go from here?
The future of public life in America requires a new
generation of politicians who will listen and respond to the
leadership coming from communities across this country. We
need a new ethic in public life that will go beyond partisan
gamesmanship. The creativity and inventiveness of the American
people are the fertile ground from which practical and meaningful
progress will be made on the issues that matter most.
Results for America—for all Americans—is committed to taking
a creative, problem-solving agenda to communities and citizens
throughout the country. The time has passed for cynical
scoring of political points at the expense of progress on health
care, medical research, education, the environment and protecting
our people and our troops from terrorism abroad and at home. The
spirit of solidarity and common purpose that carried us through
those weeks and months following the brutal attacks of September
11, 2001, showed us what patriotism is made of—people who take
responsibility for one another and do not let go of a cause,
regardless of the cost. That is what American patriotism
is all about.
Who are we?
Results for America is a project to find and raise up the voices that most need to be heard. Our focus is on people most directly affected by decisions made in Washington, D.C., state houses and corporate boardrooms around the country. We are people from every corner of the country and from all walks of life. We are a growing network of Americans who love and believe in our country. We have specific and practical ideas for making America safer, stronger, healthier and more prosperous. Results for America is about bringing people together to change the course of national debate.
Results for America is a project initiated by the Civil
Society Institute, a non-profit, independent organization dedicated
to supporting and encouraging the involvement of community level
groups and individuals in the public life of the country. Designed
to give the public the tools they need to educate candidates, policymakers,
the media and each other, the project continues the Civil Society
Institute's ongoing work on the critical issues of health, education,
environment
and national security.
Results for America calls on politicians and candidates from all parties to discover America and to listen to the voices of experience and wisdom on the challenges we face together as a nation.
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What are our goals?
CLEAN
AIR, CLEAN ENERGY, BRIGHT FUTURE
Results for America supports reducing our debilitating dependence
on oil and fossil fuels and making sensible investments in sustainable
energy sources. It also supports ending devastating environmental
policies caused by current policies and creating a healthier, safer,
more secure
world.
RATIONAL
FOREIGN POLICY, A SAFER WORLD
Results for America supports a rational foreign policy that works in concert with global organizations-not in opposition to them. It also supports restoring America to its place in the world community as a nation respected and admired rather than mistrusted and feared.
How will we accomplish
our goals?
During the 2004 policy debate, we will be asking lots of tough questions and insisting on straight answers. We will put forward a range of ideas that will work to improve the health and well-being of all Americans. And we will make available the tools that people need to become fully engaged once again in our democracy.
Join with us as we create new opportunities to discuss the issues in your community and throughout the country. In the coming year, we will continue to find new ways to highlight these important issues. And we will be sure that everyone knows that we expect real leadership.
If you want to make these issues priorities, download your Results for America environment toolkit and/or security toolkit.
You will find everything you need to help ensure that these important
issues are discussed in the 2004 debate. Use the art, add your logo
to a bumper sticker, plan an event in your community. Plus, you can
download eye-opening articles, suggested talking points and postcards.
You can send personalized emails to your friends and neighbors to
encourage them to get involved. Make the Results for America campaign
your own—it is here so that you can make a difference.
Please join us in getting Results for America. Help revitalize our democracy—and restore the true American spirit of patriotism. |
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