By DAVID HERBERT
Barack Obama's Change.gov isn't the only Web site culling ideas and comments from progressives: Change.org is letting the public submit and vote on progressive policy ideas, ranging from the repeal of the PATRIOT Act to the legalization of marijuana.
Change.org, which is not affiliated with Obama, accepted more than 7,700 submissions for policy ideas and more than 280,000 votes from Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. The top three vote-getters in 30 categories, from energy to gay rights, advanced to the second round of polling, which began Monday.
Most of the top ideas so far in the second round of voting aren't new: ending the war on drugs, passing universal health care legislation, legalizing same-sex marriage. But unlike Change.gov or any of the myriad nongovernmental organizations dealing with these issues, Change.org is partnering with MySpace and the Case Foundation to "launch a national campaign behind each idea."
Web strategist Jon Pincus, whose idea "Get FISA Right, repeal the PATRIOT Act, and restore our civil liberties" is currently ranked No. 2, argued that combining grassroots politics with the power of a social networking site like MySpace could prove a potent combination, even for issues that have already been debated ad nauseam.
The online vote could also help push legislation with some congressional support -- like the DREAM Act, which would give undocumented high school graduates a path to citizenship -- over the finish line. The only obstacle to the DREAM Act, Pincus said, is that it lacks vocal advocates.
"Who's going to prioritize undocumented minors?" he said. "Nobody."
The second round of voting ends Jan. 15. Change.org and the Case Foundation will announce the 10 winners at the National Press Club on Jan. 16.
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Responded on December 16, 2011 8:32 PM
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Responded on January 8, 2009 2:00 PM
Marisol
Well, I am glad Jon Pincus gave a little more insight into his comment that nobody spoke for undocumented students. Apology accepted.
www.talesfromthe.net/jon/
Now, undocumented students are waiting for proactiveness and energy of the larger CIR movement to support our efforts.
Responded on January 6, 2009 7:13 PM
PL
Joe is right in a way. The bigger national immigration reform movement uses undocumented students as carrot sticks. Every time CIR fails, DREAM also fails. Enough is enough. Pass it on its own, give 2.5 million students who did nothing wrong the chance to further their education and serve this country. And they won't forget their parents -- it is a base to build on for future promigran reforms.
The greater support base for the DREAM Act should show promigrant reform advocates how to strategize the movement. The sooner they realize these things, the better for everyone who wants immigration reform.