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Civic idealism: significant movement for the new Millennium

A rebirth of patriotism has come since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. This renewed patriotism resonates with John F. Kennedy's call to, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Love America -- Volunteer

AmeriCorps provides its members with that slogan. Folks are buying.

Millions of people are civic idealists. They are determined to help America achieve the highest ideals that we have set for ourselves since the nation's founding.

"Citizens by birth or choice of a common country," George Washington said, "that country has a right to concentrate your affections."

As civic idealists, we seek to fulfill the civic values articulated in the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. Whether our own private beliefs are shaped by religion or some other ethical tradition, it is these civic values that shape our expectations and goals for the country. "We the people," do, indeed, work together to "establish justice," "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity," and "promote the general welfare" in order to create that "more perfect union" which our Constitution was drafted to preserve.

The work of civic idealists revolves around the neighborhoods and communities where we live. We may 'think globally,' but we act locally--on our blocks and in our schools and through the institutions that affect our lives. We seek to build real communities among people who know each other, not just 'communities of interest' scattered all over the country.

Civic idealists believe in expanding economic opportunity for everyone-- fulfilling America's pledge to provide 'liberty and justice for all.' We insist not only that all Americans are able to meet their basic needs, but that every one of us is given a chance to make a real contribution to our communities and the country.

Civic idealists strive to make democracy work. We push for active citizen participation in the community. We demand government 'of, by, and for the people.' The organizations that we have built over the past 25 years--from block clubs to civic groups to community development corporations--are reshaping government and creating an entirely new dimension to the democratic process.

Civic idealism has not merely survived September 11th, 2001--it is growing. We are putting the tragedy behind us and building a new future in its name.

TEXT Messaging is a political grassroots tool

(Bayou Buzz) Technology is tilting the balance of political power away from government and toward the individual, energizing new types of communications tools and grassroots politics. By utilizing text messaging (texting) and short messaging services (SMS), interest groups and political organizations can promote their agenda - coordinating worldwide campaigns - instantly and cost-effectively.