United States Links on the Central Oregon Web Log

Links on this page are to be reorganized and moved to new pages for specific categories.

The Green Party of the United States is an important alternative for progressives disappointed with recent Democratic performances.

The ACLU's National Freedom Scorecard provides you with a quick summary of important civil liberties measures and how your elected officials have voted. By looking at their actual voting record, you can go beyond the soundbites that characterize much of today's campaigns to better understand your elected officials' positions (the ACLU scorecard only has information for current members of Congress and does not include ratings for challengers).

Capitol Connect is a web site where activists can learn about their issues, identify their legislators, and take immediate action.

FactCheck is "a nonpartisan, nonprofit, "consumer advocate" for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding."

The National Priorities Project Database "offers state data on socio-economic needs and federal expenditures, and allows you to create customized tables, graphs and reports. The database is free of charge, although after your first visit you will be asked to register. Registration is free" The "Trade Offs" pages deals with budget and tax issues.

OSPIRG Legislative Scorecards (Oregon State Public Interest Research Group) evaluates congressional representatives and senators from Oregon.

Peace Action, an anti-war web site, posts scores on senators and representatives in Congress.

On the Issues tracks politicians and records positions they have taken on various issues.

Project Vote Smart is a non-partisan program established to provide voters with factual information, free of bias, regarding voting records and positions on issues taken by candidates for election to national and state offices.

ActNow "aims to help people act on their beliefs by putting readers in touch with creative ways to register informed dissent."

Bear Left is maintained by a group of progressives "because we felt that the world needed another independent left-leaning web sites about ideas and politics. We live in the United States, so American politics will sometimes dominate the site, but we strive not to be provincial."

Center for Justice and Democracy "is a tax-exempt non-profit, non-partisan public interest organization that works to educate the public about the importance of the civil justice system and the dangers of so-called 'tort reforms. CJ&D fights to protect the right to trial by jury and an independent judiciary for all Americans."

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington focuses on government: officials who sacrifice the common good to special interests. We will help Americans use litigation to shine a light on those who betray the public trust.

ColdType - mission: to reprint examples of excellent writing from around the world in a format that emphasises how a neat and unobtrusive design can enhance, without subsuming, the power of The Word.

Cursor is a weblog with one of the most extensive collection of links for the media and articles of major political interest.

The Center for Economic and Policy Research "was established to promote democratic debate on the most important economic and social issues that affect people's lives. In order for citizens to effectively exercise their voices in a democracy, it is necessary that they be informed about the problems and choices that they face. CEPR is committed to presenting issues in an accurate and understandable manner, so that the public is better prepared to choose among the various policy options."

Co-op America provides steps for building a just and sustainable world and using consumer and investor power for social change.

Deception Dollar "is committed to exposing the truth about 9-11 and the 'war on terrorism'."

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. Democracy Matters in this way encourages the emergence of a new generation of reform-minded leaders."

The Emerging Democratic Majority web site is a pro-Democrat online service produced by Ruy Teixeira in collaboration with McPherson Associates and The Carol/Trevelyan Strategy Group. The site also offers a free E-newsletter to people who wish to sign up.

Future of Freedom Foundation "The mission of The Future of Freedom Foundation is to advance freedom by providing an uncompromising moral and economic case for individual liberty, free markets, private property, and limited government." Although libertarian in content, this site has articles that will be of interest to progressives.

Good Jobs First "is a national leader in providing timely, accurate information to the public, the media, public officials and economic development professionals on best practices in state and local job subsidies. GJF works with a broad spectrum of organizations as they seek to ensure that subsidized businesses are held accountable for family-wage jobs and other effective results."

The Independent Progressive Politics Network "is composed of organizations and individuals committed to the achievement of a national, non-sectarian, independent progressive political party, or an alliance of such parties, as an alternative to the corporate-controlled, Democratic/Republican system. Organizations that join the IPPN maintain their independence while coordinating with other IPPN groups to the extent they find appropriate."

The Institute for Policy Studies - At a time when other think tanks celebrate the virtues of unrestrained greed, unlimited wealth, and unregulated markets, IPS is striving to create a more responsible society - one built around the values of justice, nonviolence, sustainability, and decency. IPS, as I.F. Stone once said, is "an Institute for the rest of us."

MoveOnPAC.Org is a political action organization that supports "congressional candidates who embrace moderate to progressive principles of national government."

Moving Ideas, formerly the Electronic Policy Network, "is dedicated to explaining and popularizing complex policy ideas to a broader audience. Our goal is to improve collaboration and dialogue between policy and grassroots organizations, and to promote their work to journalists and legislators."

New America Foundation The purpose of the New America Foundation is to bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of our nation's public discourse. Relying on a venture capital approach, the Foundation invests in outstanding individuals and policy ideas that transcend the conventional political spectrum. Through its Fellowship Program and Strategic Initiatives, New America sponsors a wide range of research, published writing, conferences and events on the most important issues of our time.

The New America Foundation is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit public policy institute that was conceived through the collaborative work of a diverse and intergenerational group of public intellectuals, civic leaders, and business executives.

The New Left Review "Established for forty years as a key journal of the international Left, NLR has been transformed since 2000 into a new resource for the new century. Its range covers world politics and the global economy; state powers and protest movements; contemporary social theory; history and philosophy; cinema and literature; heterodox art and aesthetics. It stands resolutely opposed to Third Way pieties and neoliberal prescriptions, combating capital's current apologists with sharp and scholarly analysis, internationalist critique, polemic and experiential prose."

Open Source Politics "was founded to promote active discourse among progressives. We firmly believe that the strength of every democratic nation comes from government of, by, and for its people.

Open Source Politics is an open exchange of ideas. In the true spirit of Open Source, we believe that government can best be improved through community dialogue. We are diverse; we are determined; we talk about everything that affects our lives."

Physicians for a National Health Program "is a single issue organization advocating a universal, comprehensive Single-Payer National Health Program. PNHP has more than 10,000 members and chapters across the United States."

Poets Against the War "was officially born when Laura Bush invited me (Sam Hamill) to attend a White House symposium on Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes, scheduled for February 12, 2003. But it was truly born in the hearts of each of us long before the naively planned and quickly “postponed” symposium. The “postponement” continues today, the White House having faced its only public humiliation when we rose in unison to defend not only our nation’s conscience, but poetry itself."

The Progressive Trail seeks to engage individuals and promote groups who are committed to the following agendas:

Public Citizen is a non-profit organization with an aim to protect health, safety and democracy. This is an excellent site for researching articles on these issues as well as related corporate crimes. The site also has a feature that lets visitors find out how senators and representatives in Congress voted on key issues.

Public Campaign is devoted to campaign finance reform and removing corruption from politics.

United for a Fair Economy is a national, independent, nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. UFE raises awareness that concentrated wealth and power undermine the economy, corrupt democracy, deepen the racial divide, and tear communities apart. We support and help build social movements for greater equality.

United for Peace and Justice is a coalition of more than 800 local and national groups throughout the United States who have joined together to oppose our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building.

The Other Economic Summit: TOES/USA is part of an international non-governmental forum for the presentation, discussion, and advocacy of the economic ideas and practices upon which a more just and sustainable society can be built - "an economics as if people mattered." TOES promotes economics which incorporate the sustainable use of natural resources and the productive engagement of all people in the development of their communities and societies. It addresses the disarray in conventional economics by helping to bring such economic thinking into line with late twentieth century realities.

Working For Change "is a comprehensive Web site made up of resources for people with progressive values."

The Act For Change, MoveOn.Org and Action Forum web sites help activists to participate in the political process and reduce the writing burden for people wanting to express their positions on vital issues.

People for the American Way "organizes and mobilizes Americans to fight for fairness, justice, civil rights and the freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution."

Socialist Action "is a nation-wide group of revolutionary socialists dedicated to fighting for a world where people come before profits. We seek to revitalize the anti-war, labor, student and other social movements, and to bring activists together from different backgrounds into a revolutionary socialist party that can successfully challenge the ruling class. As socialists we seek to learn and understand the theory of Marxism, but as an activist group, we also seek to put those ideas into practice. That's why on this site you'll find everything from the writings of Leon Trotsky, to the latest on the struggle to free political prisoner Mumia Abu-Jamal!"

Women's Enews is a nonprofit independent news service covering the issues that are of particular concern to women. Women's Enews editor, Rita Henley Jensen and staff have nearly a half-century of journalism experience with newspapers, wire services and national publications and are determined to deliver full and balanced reporting to Women's Enews readers.

Soul of a Citizen is activist Paul Loeb's web site. Check it out for inspiration to support your conviction that you should work for a worthwhile cause.

Stand for Children is America's only nationwide grassroots voice for children. Our members take action at the national, state, community, and neighborhood levels. From early childhood education and the schools to after-school programs and health services, we take on the issues affecting our kids.

Talking Points Memo is written by Josh Marshall, a writer who obviously doesn't toe the same line chosen by most people in corporate media. He was very effective in making the Trent Lott-Strom Thurmond gaffe a major item.

The Interhemispheric Resource Center is working to make the U.S. a more responsible member of the global community by promoting progressive strategic dialogues that lead to new citizen-based agendas. IRC has a sections of its web site devoted to biographies of right-wing people and other right-wing groups.

True Majority was founded by Ben Cohen, Co-founder, Ben and Jerry’s. It is a grassroots education and advocacy project of Priorities, Inc., a non-profit, non-partisan, tax-deductible, 501(c)(3) corporation.

Truthout is an on-line source of news and opinion, some of which is avoided by the main stream media; although, articles from well-known media commentators are included.

The National Institute on Money in State Politics is "the independent source of information on campaign contributions in state politics for reporters, researchers and the general public."

The Democracy Corps claims to be independent despite being founded by long-time Democrats. It is, however, a useful source of opinions on issues of the day.

Good Jobs First is published by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and deals with related matters, including growth issues. The Michigan Land Use Institute (MLUI) is another source of information for growth-related issues.

The American Political Science Association, "founded in 1903, is the leading professional organization for the study of political science and serves more than 14,000 members in over 70 countries. With a range of programs and services for individuals, departments and institutions, APSA brings together political scientists from all fields of inquiry, regions, and occupational endeavors within and outside academe in order to expand awareness and understanding of politics."

VerifiedVoting.org "champions transparent, reliable, and publicly verifiable elections in the United States. We oppose the use of electronic voting equipment that does not allow voters to inspect individual permanent records of their ballots, fails to provide a means by which a meaningful recount may be conducted, or uses software that is not open to public scrutiny."

Extreme Ashcroft is a web site that focuses attention on the activities of the Attorney General and alerts visitors to actions they consider dangerous to civil liberties and threats to the Constitution.

The National Security Archive "is an independent non-governmental research institute and library located at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. The Archive collects and publishes declassified documents acquired through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A tax-exempt public charity, the Archive receives no U.S. government funding; its budget is supported by publication royalties and donations from foundations and individuals."

Gerald Plessner, a California businessman with independent views and an inclination to skewer people on the right of the political spectrum.

The California Peace Action is a major opponent of the threat of nuclear war, excessive military expenditures and US military involvement with authoritarian governments that abuse their citizens.

United for Peace is a major force in the movement of promoting peace over war and enjoys the participation of many major international figures in the peace movement.

Peaceful Tomorrows is an advocacy organization founded by family members of September 11th victims. Part of their mission is to seek effective non-violent responses to terrorism.

School of Americas Watch is an independent organization that seeks to close the US Army School of the Americas, under whatever name it is called, through vigils and fasts, demonstrations and nonviolent protest, as well as media and legislative work.

Women's Action for New Directions (WAND) has a mission to empower women to act politically to reduce violence and militarism, and redirect excessive military resources toward unmet human and environmental needs.

The Working for Change and Act for Change web sites above are also active in peace movements.

UnAnsweredQuestions.org "is an on-line community of concerned citizens, researchers, independent investigators and journalists asking and exploring unanswered questions. Our intention is to add energy to those who participate in a spirit of independent, non-partisan and useful inquiry. We believe that good questions can lead to answers and solutions. We believe in transparency that supports people and possibilities with uncommon sense."

VerifiedVoting.org "was initiated by David L. Dill early in July of 2003. The web site grew out of his concern for the integrity of the election process. The mission of the website is threefold:

Security Scholars for Sensible Foreign Policy "is a small group of academics who are concerned about American national security, and about the quality of the American debate on national security and foreign policy topics. We take no money from any sources outside of the scholars who have signed the letter, and their families."

David Hackworth (Col., US Army, Ret.) is the well-known, decorated veteran and outspoken critic of many aspects of the US military, and his web site does just that. Soldiers For The Truth is a companion web site supported by Hackworth.

The Justice Project is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to fighting injustice and to creating a more humane and just world. Founders of The Justice Project are men and women who as veterans have been willing to risk our lives fighting injustice. Our military experiences have left us with an understanding of human suffering and a desire to leave a legacy of fairness for future generations. The Justice Project's current programs are the Campaign for Criminal Justice Reform, th e Nuclear Threat Reduction Campaign and the Artists' Call for Justice.

Film Makers Against War seeks to educate and raise awareness of UK and international war law, and to highlight military actions that have been taken now and in the past, which violate these laws.

FindLaw is an excellent resource for information on legal issues, including those related to politics.

Fund Race is keeping track of campaign donations for the 2004 elections. "All calculations are based on records filed with the FEC of contributions
by all individuals totalling more than $200 to a single campaign
between January 1, 2003 and February 29, 2004."

The purpose of the New America Foundation is to bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of our nation's public discourse. Michael Lind is a program director for the foundation.

One Thousand Reasons is "relentlessly documenting the failures of the Bush Administration" with an archive of critical records and commentary.

On Nov. 18-19, the City of London's mouthpiece, the Financial Times, ran four articles on Wal-Mart, centered on Wal-Mart's practices of hiring and directing cleaning companies that employed foreign illegal workers who cleaned Wal-Mart stores, seven nights a week, under hideous conditions.

http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2003/3046wal-mart_pricing.html

ALL MADE IN USA DATABASE AND SEARCH ENGINE
http://w3f.com/usa/

Find and Support American Business:
Thomas Register of American Manufacturers
http://www.thomasregister.com/

U.S. Stuff- Product List and Index, Products Made in USA, Start Page
http://www.usstuff.com/prodlist.htm

BuyAmerican.com ONLINE SHOPPING
http://store.manufacturedinusa.com/cgi-bin/shop.storefront

How Americans Can Buy American
http://www.howtobuyamerican.com/

"..It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.." Samuel Adams"

People for Internet Responsibility People For Internet Responsibility (PFIR) is currently a global, ad hoc network of individuals who are concerned about the present and future operations, development, management, and regulation of the Internet in responsible ways. PFIR is in the process of incorporating as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. The main goal of PFIR is to provide a resource for individuals around the world to gain an ability to impact these crucial Internet issues, which will affect virtually all aspects of our cultures, societies, and lives in the 21st century. PFIR is nonpartisan, has no political agenda, and does not engage in lobbying.