The challenge of our times

I sent this out to our members today.  Thoughts, as always, are welcome.

The challenge of our times

When I look back at what progressivism accomplished in the 20th century, I feel a tremendous sense of pride. 

Consider what our movement and its leaders accomplished.  Abroad, we defeated fascism, were instrumental in the triumph over communist totalitarianism, and constructed an international system based on FDR’s vision of a United Nations, bringing unprecedented liberty and prosperity to the people of the world.  At home, we rescued America from its greatest economic crisis, the depression, created Social Security and Medicare, and spearheaded the civil rights, consumer, labor, women’s and environmental movements that have helped make America not just great, but good.  And when last in power, progressives oversaw the greatest economic expansion in our history.

Our challenge today, as the heirs to that inspiring legacy, is to build a 21st Century progressivism as great, and as good, as the progressivism of the century just passed.  At NDN, we believe that to replicate this 20th century success in our new century, our movement and its leaders must understand and master the three transformations that are creating an emergent, “new politics” of the 21st century.  To succeed today we must:

1. Offer a governing agenda that tackles the challenges of our time. 

2. Excel at using the new media and technology tools that are changing the way the people of the world communicate with one another. 

3. Speak to, and engage, the new and more complex American population, so different today than when the last durable majority coalition was built 70 years ago. 

Helping progressives forge this new agenda, master these new communications tools and speak to the new people of America is what NDN and its network across the country is all about.  Together, we are imagining and building a 21st century progressivism, a progressivism that can be as visionary, strong and successful as the movement that did so much for so many in the 20th century. 

In the coming weeks I will be laying out, in detail, the specifics of what NDN is doing to help progressives build this modern movement.  I hope you will find our vision, our strategy, our team, and our network compelling, and that you will once again join us in our important work.  I know of no more important work we could be doing, and no group of people better equipped to get it done. 

Thank you.