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About Us Web Research Historical Interpretation in Political Practice  2/23/2009 (353) Ed Knudson - Article:  The study of history is critical to understand or become involved in politics. Here are resources on this website: historical figures, events, documents. Why Planning and Policy are So Important!   2/14/2009 (549) Ed Knudson - Article :  Three reasons for why the work of public planning professionals is important for all of us. Mailing Lists   2/14/2009 (785) Notes:  We are considering what mailing lists might be best to be developed for members here. Do Web Research Right Here, Suggest Links   2/10/2009 (357) Article:  Visitors and Members are asked to help us build the web research functions of the website. Unusual Funder Wanted for this Website  2/5/2009 (225) Notes :  Your assistance is requested to discover potential sources for keeping this website going. Americans need a politics that represents their actual views on issues. Writers Wanted   2/4/2009 (443) Notes:  You are invited to write for this journal. February - 2009 Reconfiguration of this Website  2/4/2009 (168) Notes:  This site is being reconfigured as of February, 2009. Biographical Summary: Ed Knudson  12/5/2008 (542) Note :  A brief resume. Books, Books, and Ice-axe Books   8/22/2008 (462) Article:  A new book feature is added to this website. Here's why. And let us know if you want your own comments or reviews to appear here. Serious Politics for a Free Society   7/26/2008 (657) Ed Knudson - Article:  This page is a first introduction to the idea of New Social Democrats. It was written in May, 2008, as a prospectus for a Center for Social Democracy.

About Us Section Thanks for visiting this website. We would like you to find a home here for serious political discussion and practical policy proposals. This website is sponsored by the "Center for Public Responsibility," an organizational platform to be developed which will include both educational and political activities in addition to this website. We hope to develop programs for four audiences: citizen activists, workers-professionals, public scholars, and elected officials. Specific plans and programs will be announced as they are organized. Barack Obama has announced "a new era of cooperation and responsibility." We want here to help promote and realize such a new era in the life of local communities, this nation, and the world. We invite you to join us in the process of developing this website. Here are some of our goals: Engage People in Politics. It has become critical for ordinary people to become more involved in the political process as citizens, workers and professionals, scholars, and elected officals. Politics has been so completely dominated by money from corporate donors and a media run by corporations that the future of democracy is truly at stake. There is great confusion concerning the labels "conservative" and "liberal." We believe "politics is primary," it is the way communities make decisions on all levels of government. Conceptual Framework. We want to build a conceptual framework from the tradition of social democracy which can guide policy development. This includes the concepts of free society, smart government, and just economy. How to think is a critically important matter today and we ask others to offer feedback and help us in this task. Interpretation. We want to interpret historical and contemporary events, figures, and politics in terms of this conceptual framework to create meanings and motivations for active political engagement today. Language. As we engage in these efforts we hope a practical political language will develop which can be helpful in communications in the community and media for the purpose of organizing supporters and winning elections. Moral Consciousness. Most people want to do good for others. We want to encourage actual moral reflection as part of the political and policy development process. Leaders of so-called religious conservatives do not represent the vast majority of people of faith and non-faith and have been allowed to become too dominant in creating a moral screen used by the media to evaluate public life. These false leaders have trivialized important public issues, unnecessarily divided the American people in cultural wars, and allowed malicious politicians to manipulate them in ways that benefit only the wealthy and corporate power. Serious moral sensitivity and reflection is necessary for the country to take steps into a desirable future of freedom and equality for all. Inspiration. We want to be a source of inspiration and motivation for people involved in the thousands of other groups working for social and economic justice, a sustainable environment, and global peace. We want to create a new configuration of political identity by which persons can change their minds and move to the left in their political philosophy. The so-called "conservative movement" has failed, politicians claiming to rule based on conservative values have betrayed their followers. The false notions of current leading conservatives have had their day as ruling ideas and have resulted in severe damage for the people of the United States and around the world. It is a time for big change and some new ideas. As the site develops we hope to engage in a great variety of political and educational activities. If you are at all interested in the material and approach you see here please be in touch with us. It is only through actual conversations with real folks that we can evaluate how best to move forward as a center of energy and activity within the current political context of the United States. Unless otherwise indicated, much of the writing is initially being done by the site founder and editor, Ed Knudson. We hope to include many other writers as we develop. We are physically located in the area of Seattle-Tacoma, Washington. Feel free to call us at 253-318-1237. The Center for Public Responsibility also sponsors a website called Public Theology with a focus on faith and public life, religion and politics. Our logo at the top, right represents the wide variety and diversity of the human multitude. You are invited to register as a guest or member.

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