Written by Bonnie Samuel   

First, I've long been an admirer of Russ Feingold. I support the concept of Progressives.org. BUT! on the website, the blog, in the Senator's video, there are no specifics about HOW accountability will be achieved. Or what Progressives United will advocate or provide in citizen action programs? And where on the website or blog are discourse and comments allowed?

We hear lots of platitudes, pretty and reassuring words from many elected officials all the way to the White House, now its time to spell it out. Expressing outrage, demanding a change is useless unless it comes with some facts and real empowerment strategies.

Americans, for many years sadly, have taken their political cues from campaign rhetoric, church pulpits, the corporate media, the list goes on. If a progressive movement is to be inclusive of all people, then education is much needed about the money flow. For example, provide a list of who takes money and favors, along with voting records to show the influence. Show how the Far Right has created and impacted the power structure of this country. Provide facts and info about infrastructures and our real needs--how it works and how every citizen uses and benefits...and what will and is happening as it crumbles? How about some real information about our education system with corporations in and controlling our university programs. Where do we stand in comparison to other countries educational outcomes and what that will mean to our future? Talk about military budgets and war with truth about the motivations and money-who really benefits? How about the history of labor, the erroneous portrayal of state employees? And the environment. The vast majority of Americans do not know about any of the environmental conferences held in recent years around the world and damaging role the US played, to say nothing of the real danger the world is in because of climate change.

It is time for more than fighting words, slogans about hope and caring and words that trigger. There are many organizations popping up right now that claim they will make a difference. They all want money too. So will Progressives United really be different and make a difference?