We have, in this country, a lot of national organizations with Progressive aims. One website offers links to "approximately 500 leading organizations in the United States working for progressive change on a national level," and I'm certain it's not complete. There are media outlets which can be described as Progressive. There are lots of Progressive blogs. Mopshell has started the People Power Campaign on Daily Kos, and the Campaign for America's Future has scheduled a conference in Washington, D.C., to build a Progressive Movement. We even have a self-identified and hard-working Congressional Progressive Caucus! I am grateful to them for preparing a People's Budget, in response to the Miser's Budget offered by the Republicans.
But it still feels to me like something is missing....
Recalling past political movements in the U.S., I remember that some made a point of publishing a "Declaration" or "Statement" for their movement. The movement for women's right to vote issued a "Declaration of Sentiments" after its first convention. At the start of the Civil Rights movement, the conference led by Martin Luther King, Jr., issued "A Statement to the South and the Nation." Both documents set forth the moral argument for their movement and highlighted the injuries and grievances which made their movement for political change both just and necessary.
I think the Progressive movement could benefit from a similar Declaration. Something that is more than just an issue platform. Something which explains the moral foundation for the movement and enumerates the injustices which have given rise to the movement. Something which inspires effort by members and participation by allies.
I offer the following as an attempt to show you the sort of thing I'm talking about. Maybe someone will come up with a better one!
Declaration of Rights & Grievances
Everyone is born equal, with equal rights to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The test of a government is whether it protects the rights of its citizens equally. These rights, and the government's obligation of equal protection, are enshrined in our national Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. They are also proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Man, which our nation has signed and ratified.
More than 200 years have passed since our nation was founded, but our political order continues to deny equal protection to its citizens. Onerous privileges still exist on the bases of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, wealth and corporate status.
⦁ It remains a fact that Caucasian citizens enjoy greater liberty, protection, opportunity and respect than citizens perceived to be of other races.
⦁ It remains a fact that Male citizens enjoy greater liberty, protection, opportunity and respect than Female citizens.
⦁ It remains a fact in many localities that Christian citizens enjoy greater liberty, protection, opportunity and respect than non-Christian citizens.
⦁ It remains a fact that Heterosexual, Cisgender citizens enjoy greater liberty, protection, opportunity and respect than LGBT citizens.
⦁ It remains a fact that our wealthiest citizens enjoy greater liberty, protection, political influence and respect than other citizens.
⦁ It remains a fact that corporations, which our Supreme Court and some politicians call "persons," enjoy greater liberty, protection, political influence and deference than even natural-born citizens of our nation.
In view of these rights and grievances, we in the Progressive Movement commit ourselves to ending such privileges. Together we shall construct that more perfect union which is our birthright as citizens of the United States of America: a nation with liberty and justice for all.