Re: Organizing UUs and Advocacy

This - like most of the discussions here - seems to be VERY quiet. But this is a time when we, as UUs, should be following our 7 Principles and be taking action - not just thinking about it, not just debating it. There are too many things wrong in our society - from wars of choice and torture; to government by lie and innuendo; to the decreasing social safety net for the homeless, minorities, and the impoverished; to the increasing gap between rich and poor and the destruction of the middle class. I have spoken here before of the need for us to organize ourselves to take defintive actions before our legislators. One promising alliance I see that we should be able to make is with Rabbi Michael Lerner's Tikkun community and specifically with his interfaith Network of Spiritual Progressives.  The NSP - which is organized in local chapters in varying degrees of activity - advocates Lerner's proposal for a Spiritual Covernant with America - which is a detailed plan of action that meets the requirements of our 7 Principles. It would seem better for us to align ourselves with an organization with a comprehensive program that matches our ethic than - as we usually do - pick and choose different partners who suit us in addressing different issues. The NSP will be emerging very publicly this weekend with their observance nationwide of Generosity Sunday and the public rollout of their proposal for a Global Marshall Plan.

Thoughts? As we organize within ourselves to provide sustainable advocacy for our causes on the legislative level, should we be looking to form long-term coalitions or alliance with any organizations…. and specifically with this one?