All Things Reform has a new feature in the lefthand column of this blog: a list of links called "User collaboration projects". These are more opportunities for the citizen to get involved in online and community activities. As the internet is getting new technological tools more often, political activist websites are asking for citizen help in their government investigations and reforms.
Most of these collaborations don't pay their users, but the cost for engaging with our government in new and better ways is priceless. Thank you for anything you can contribute.
The "User collaboration projects" list will be continuously updated.
---
> All Things Reform Mobile allthingsreform.mofuse.mobi
> Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121 (not toll-free)
> US House/ US Senate Mobile is.gd/D8V
> "Ready, set, contact your reps.!"
---
Friday, June 27, 2008
Get involved in online collaboration projects
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tell your US Representative and two US Senators NO to illegal wiretapping of citizens
Just a few weeks ago, the House stood strong and refused to give immunity to the phone companies that engaged in this criminality. But now, Congress is considering a "compromise" bill that could make it impossible for us to find out the details of the domestic spying program and hold accountable anyone who broke the law.Please go to Common Cause's letter webpage and send a message to your representatives and say "no compromise"! Thank you
Friday, June 13, 2008
New features now, on All Things Reform
All Things Reform has updated our lists of government reform organizations on the blog's left sidebar. New features include a feed of the latest news post from each org., a new list for "Government News Orgs." with a feed and short summary of their latest posts, and an arrow icon next to each org. name for easier reading through the lengthier lists.
We now also have a new list near the top of the sidebar, called "Let's spread the word on alerts"; it lists several social news websites you can share All Things Reform's latest posts with.
And remember, the left sidebar's "Political Calendar" is rotated about once a month, and is continuously updated; and the detailed list of keyword "labels" at the bottom of the page is always refreshed with each All Things Reform blog posting.
Get the latest electoral, fiscal and ethical government news and contact your own representatives on All Things Reform.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tell US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi NO to President Bush and telecom immunity for illegal wiretappings
Speaker Pelosi and other House leaders are currently negotiating away this legal accounting of wrongdoing with President Bush and others. Please go to Credo Mobile's campaign webpage and send your message. Thank you
Thursday, May 08, 2008
New political discussion blog: Understated Priorities
I have begun a political blog called "Understated Priorities"-- it's at http://www.understatedpriorities.blogspot.com/
It is mostly entries from reference books on the topic of politics: quotes, aphorisms, poems and a lot more. I discuss each entry and am open for your comments, too. Current posts included:
Here is your opportunity to reflect on the major thoughts related to government, politics and people. Enjoy!
David Weller
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, March 26, 2008
Tax Freedom Day is April 23, 2008
Tax Freedom Day® will fall on April 23 in 2008, according to the Tax Foundation's annual calculation using the latest government data on income and taxes. That’s three days earlier than in 2007. Stimulus rebates and a projection of slow growth in 2008 are the principal reasons for the earlier celebration.
In addition to announcing the nation’s Tax Freedom Day®, the new study compares tax payments to other major consumer expenditures, traces the course of America’s tax burden since 1900, examines the composition of today’s tax burden by type of tax, and calculates a Tax Freedom Day® for each state.
Monday, March 24, 2008
New citizen's Political Calendar on All Things Reform
We have a new Political Calendar at the top of this blog in the left column. It is a reminder for the average citizen on what to look forward to in Washington DC over the next year or so. If you click on a link, you will be taken to more information about the particular special day(s).
It will of course be continuously updated and improved with political dates of use to the US citizen.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Watch a slideshow video about the new Change Congress grassroots movement
Lawrence Lessig, founder of Change Congress, has uploaded a nice slideshow video of his recent talk concerning his web site's launch. As discussed here three days ago, Change Congress aims to bring reform issues to candidates and congress and lobby them until the issues are enacted in legislation.
There has been a great display of enthusiasm already for this new grassroots campaign; Mr. Lessig is world reknown for his path-breaking work as founder and head of Creative Commons, a new method to keep your copyright while inviting certain uses of your work.
I have added a badge proclaiming my support and aid to Change Congress; you, too, can sign up and, if you have a web site or blog, display one as well! Join us today! Thanks.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Almost all Americans believe their government should pay attention to their views between elections
World Public Opinion has released results of a poll, revealing that 94% of Americans believe their leaders should pay attention to the views of the people as they're making their decisions. This overwhelmingly asserts our view that "the will of the people should be the basis of the authority of government," the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
More results of the poll are here. Clearly, twice as many Americans (79.9%) believe that America should be governed by the will of the people than believe it is actually occurring (40%). This is reflected by the fact that 81% say when making "an important decision" government leaders "should pay attention to public opinion polls because this will help them get a sense of the public's views."
All Things Reform supports these assertions, and encourages citizens to stay informed of today's news stories from reputable sources and follow up with own opinions on major bills and other issues currently being debated in the legislatures.
Monday, March 17, 2008
National Freedom of Information Coalition conference May 9-10 2008 in Philadelphia
The NFOIC - National Freedom of Information Coalition - will hold its national conference on May 9 - 10, 2008, in Philadelphia, PA. Called the "2008 FOI Summit", it promotes an active and informed citizenry; your participation is vital.
Please visit the conference web page for all of the details.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Don't miss OpenTheGovernment's Wed. March 19th 1:00pm to 2:30pm ET web cast for Sunshine Week 2008
OpenTheGovernment.org will be actively participating in next week's Sunshine Week 2008, a nation-wide look at government's role in society's needs for openness and transparency. Their newsletter this week gives a concise update on their Wednesday, March 19th 1:00pm to 2:30pm ET activities next week and how all of us can participate from wherever we are-- unfortunately, when I copied and pasted it from email into my blog, the text turned white. Here is information on the event from SunshineWeek.org events page:
 | Wednesday, March 19: OpenTheGovernment.org and several other associations are sponsoring the third annual Sunshine Week National Dialogue on Open Government and Secrecy. This year's panel discussions will focus on "Government Secrecy: Censoring Your Right to Know." The event will be webcast for free from the National Press Club to sites around the country. Satellite feeds will be available with prior registration and for a fee. Those interested can also attend at the Press Club. To see the additional sponsors and a list of speakers, as well as for registration information, visit the OpenTheGovernment.org Web site. |
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Write about citizens and government decision-making at Helium's AmericaSpeaks page
AmericaSpeaks connects citizens with decision makers to discuss the most critical policy issues of today.
Using innovative deliberative tools such as the 21st Century Town Meeting, AmericaSpeaks has engaged more than 130,000 people in governance, in all 50 states and around the world.
Among other projects, AmericaSpeaks has brought large-scale citizen participation to the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site and New Orleans; to the creation of municipal budgets in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco; and to regional planning and economic development efforts in the greater Chicago area and Northeast Ohio.
Helium
AmericaSpeaks has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to write for a cause.
Browse AmericaSpeaks' featured titles, pick an issue and write!
You can also donate your article earnings.
Share what you know, learn new perspectives and donate now.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Get involved locally with WhatDoTheyKnow.com and GroupsNearYou.com
mySociety.org is introducing two new citizen activist websites: http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/ and http://www.groupsnearyou.com/. Both focus on local activities, from your neighborhood, street or town. Meet and keep in touch with your neighbors and issues, and improve your quality of life. Even though mySociety.org is based in England, they are encouraging people around the world to: (1) find out what your local government bodies know about what is happening in your area, and (2) join or start a local citizens group and to add it to their online directory.
This is a chance for you to make a difference in your local community.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Participate in a government document social tagging experiment
Free Government Information needs your help to investigate whether social tagging of government documents is a viable idea.
They have stashed 32 documents from the Government Printing Office's EPA Web Harvesting Pilot Project in the Internet Archive. They would like as many people as possible to bookmark, tag and provide brief descriptions of all 32 of these test documents using the del.icio.us bookmarking service.
Sphere: Related ContentTuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunshine Week 2008 Webcast March 29, 2008, 1 - 2:30 PM EDT
OpenTheGovernment.Org presents an internet webcast: "Sunshine Week 2008 Webcast: Government Secrecy: Censoring Your Right to Know". It will be held on March 19, 2008, 1 - 2:30 PM (EDT) Participate in person at the National Press Club in Washington DC, or Online Anywhere. Details for the event are here. Please register to watch or show the webcast; a fee is required if you also want to show it from your own physical location.
I. The Secret Executive -- What Can Congress and the Public Do?
Confirmed Speakers: Mickey Edwards, Director of the Aspen Institute-Rodel Fellowships in Public Leadership and former Republican member of Congress from Oklahoma for 16 years (1977-92), Ann Beeson, Director of U.S. Programs at the Open Society Institute and previously Associate Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union, and John Podesta, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for American Progress, Chief of Staff to President William J. Clinton from October 1998 until January 2001, and formerly in senior staff positions in Congress, will discuss executive branch power and secrecy, congressional rights and responsibilities, and the role of the press in combating government secrecy. Patrice McDermott, Director of OpenTheGovernment.org, will moderate the discussion.
II. Citizen Self-Help: Finding the Information You Need
We will be visiting and talking with creators of web sites that help the public avoid having to file official requests or go to offices and meetings to learn what our government is doing. These sites make hard-to-find government information -- federal, state and local -- easy for the public to find and use and may inspire you to do likewise. A quick report will be given, as well, on an initiative to develop a 21st Century Right-to-Know agenda and recommendations for the next President and Congress.
In each segment, opportunities will be available for audience questions from all participants.
The event will be held in the Holeman Lounge of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C and webcast to sites around the country. A satellite downlink option will be available for a fee.
We're inviting you to host a program in your community! Participants are encouraged to show the national program and plan local programs tailored to open government issues in their communities.
Audience members at all sites viewing the live event will have an opportunity to call in (using any telephone) and email questions to our live panels. We will answer as many questions as time permits.
Sites are encouraged to show the national program and plan local programs tailored to open government issues in their communities. Audience members at all sites viewing the live event will have an opportunity to call in (using any telephone) and email questions to our live panels. We will answer as many questions as time permits.
Sphere: Related Content
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Citizen's guide to financial state of U.S. government
The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Management Service has released the "Summary Report of the 2007 Financial Report of the United States Government" . This is a citizen's guide to the financial health and prognosis of the federal government. The report is in pdf format (free Adobe Reader required.)
Sphere: Related ContentWednesday, December 19, 2007
Tell the federal government your thoughts on their regulations
Regulations.gov is the federal government's regulations website that encourages citizens' comments. Just use the site's search form to access any government agency's regulations, and personally give your input on them.
Yes, we, the people do have a say in federal government regulation. Regulations.gov is an award-winning, interactive site that is built for citizens' input for its regulation decision-making.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
A call to citizenship and responsibility
The Progress Report has an interesting commentary by Ben Tanosborn, on today's "consentership" of the American people to our government. It is a cry to shake off the deferment of all the great issues of the day to our unresponsive government. Democracy lies in the hands of we, the people; it is our responsibility as citizens of this great nation to see that our government is honest and accountable, a truly-qualified representation of you and I.
I hope that All Things Reform is a step in the right direction, that we, the people are the ultimate owners of this country, that we are upholding our responsibility as its only constitutional owners. It is truly up to us.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Senate passes new FOIA bill
The FOIA, or Freedom of Information Act, has become up-to-date to service increased government transparency demands. FOIA is a term used by the general public to request information from any federal government agency, based on the terms of the Act. It is expected to be signed into law by President Bush; for details on the FOIA changes, please see this Associated Press article.
Sphere: Related ContentSaturday, October 27, 2007
Study assesses each state's campaign disclosure laws and programs
Grading State Disclosure is a study of the Campaign Disclosure Project, which seeks to bring greater transparency and accountability to money in state politics through assessments of state disclosure laws and programs.
Some states provide better and more complete access to information about the money that fuels campaigns than others, through both a strong campaign disclosure law and high-quality Internet access to disclosure reports. The purpose of the Campaign Disclosure Project’s Grading State Disclosure 2007 study is to provide an overview of how each state measures up to a set standard for disclosure programs, as well as to show how each state compares to others around the country. Check how your state is doing!
