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Dear Friend,
I am writing to you, with five months remaining before Election Day 2008, to share some thoughts on the opportunities and challenges ahead, to update you on Demos' work, and to ask for your help.
Here at Demos, we are preparing to give our very best to what we see as a rare moment of opportunity. We were founded in the aftermath of the 2000 election--a time when change seemed a long way off. After eight years of dedicated work, we believe our organization--now nearly 50 staff members and fellows strong--is poised to make a major contribution to real, lasting change in America.
You may have joined us at our celebration on May 15th, at which we honored Susan Berresford and Senator John Edwards for their work on economic equality and social change. At that event, I spoke of three elements I believe are equally necessary to ensure progress at this important moment.
The first is Transformational Leadership. There is a real possibility that the 2008 election will bring a president who is committed to shifting the course of this country, a Congress with the will to act, and a growing bloc of thoughtful voices in state legislatures that are ready to change the way our nation is run.
But leaders don't act in a vacuum, and in the past we have seen promising elected officials prove disappointing in office. Even the best leaders need Advocates and Organizers to insist upon courage; swift, effective action; and transparency every step along the way. Change is not something achieved by an individual, but through the shared efforts of people acting collaboratively and holding one another accountable.
An equally important ingredient for social change is Ideas: the work of analysis, policies, and their effective communication. If we want to open a fresh, truly productive conversation about how we can create an America where opportunity, equality, and full participation are realities, the public square needs innovation and information. Researchers and policy analysts can work to increase awareness of key issues, shift stymied debates, pioneer policy solutions, support advocates in the field, and accelerate the process of change.
This is the work Demos is ready and eager to provide.
One example of this work is our Economic Opportunity Program's analysis of credit card debt, which has transformed the national conversation on debt. Our analysis was used by most of the major presidential campaigns, and policies we developed were included in the recent Federal Reserve Board's proposed regulations on credit cards, as well as in major legislation before Congress. Our work on young adults' economic issues--including Tamara Draut's book Strapped--have helped make this a major new element of the public debate.
But our work isn't limited to research and policy development. Our Democracy Program is pulling out all the stops to ensure that Americans will be able to exercise their right to vote without complications or intimidation. In one example, after focused advocacy efforts to persuade North Carolina to adopt Same Day Registration and to improve compliance with the National Voter Registration Act, as many as 60,000 people were able to vote in the state's recent primary as a direct consequence of Demos' work.
In addition, for the last several years Public Works: The Demos Center for the Public Sector has done serious research on the thorny question of how we can better engage the public in a real discussion of the essential role of government. In order to combat 30 years of government-bashing by the right, we've held over 150 trainings and workshops for a wide variety of audiences, including policy and advocacy organizations, elected officials, unions, and business leaders. This work will become even more relevant in the months to come.
And that's not all. Here are just a few Demos projects in the pipeline:
- Producing a report seeking bolder action to address the subprime mortgage crisis
- Creating innovative new framing on the issues of trade and globalization
- Reclaiming the vital role of regulation in defending the best interests of citizens
- Envisioning a fresh election reform and civic engagement agenda for 2009 and beyond
Just a few years back, the political climate would have limited the impact of these projects. But the tides are turning, and we believe that with dedicated, strategic work--including strong advocacy, incisive research and analysis, and paradigm-shifting policy development--we can help America live up to its highest democratic ideals.
I ask that you join me in making a contribution to Demos. To do so, please visit the "Support Demos" page on our website (http://demos.org/support). Your support makes our work possible, and signifies your active commitment to Demos and the values we share.
Thank you, from all of us at Demos, for believing that change is possible. We won't stop until we've proven you right.
Warm regards,
Miles Rapoport
President
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