April 2009 Newsletter

We are your Conduit to the National Policy Conversation

Our mission is to advance ideas for the common good, your ideas! In this issue, read about how we have been doing this and how you can get involved, in person and online. 

This month we organized and co-sponsored a number of events: intimate salon discussions where we listened to your ideas and high-profile celebrations where our staff built new connections to political and ideological leaders. Commonweal Institute supporters have also contributed ideas online, which we have published on our website and blog for the world to see.

The purpose of the infrastructure we are building at the Commonweal Institute is to collect fresh ideas from conversations with grassroots progressives (you) and communicate them effectively within the national power structure and to the general public. Your donations help us do this better and with greater impact. 

April Events

On April 19, Norm and Sandy Coplon hosted a salon at their home in Portola Valley.  Commonweal Institute's Executive Director, Barry Kendall, discussed his impressions of what is happening in Washington, DC at this time, and how people across the country can relate to the exciting changes that are happening.

On April 21, Commonweal Institute co-sponsored a dinner and presentation about the financial crisis by economist Chris Thornberg at the Adobe Lodge on the Santa Clara University campus.  He assured his audience that we are absolutely right if we think that Wall Street doesn't care about ordinary Americans.  Video footage of this event taken by Commonweal Institute Fellow Dave Johnson will appear on our website soon

On April 24, Commonweal Institute co-sponsored "A New Era: Celebrating New California Leaders" an evening of progressive camaraderie hosted by Netroots Nation at the 2009 California Democratic Party Convention in Sacramento, CA. In attendance, besides special guest Gov. Howard Dean, were Barry Kendall and the leading progressive minds in California politics.        

Upcoming Events

Progressives in an Obama World
A Salon Conversation Led by Dr. Barry Kendall
Wednesday, May 20, 6 to 8 pm
Private Residence, San Francisco, CA

An evening with lots of good ideas and discussion...and some wine and hors d'oeuvres.  This is not a fundraiser, but rather a chance to see what progressive organizations are doing with the new opportunity we now have to effect change.

Attendance is limited and reservations are required. RSVP by calling (650) 854-9796 or e-mailing kforrest@commonwealinstitute.org

Progressive Ideas Network Discussion
May 27
Economic Policy Institute
Washington, DC

We cannot expect the Administration or Congress -- consumed with the urgent needs of the moment -- to be a source of creative solutions to the longer-term challenges we face as a nation. In our view, this new intellectual capital can only be generated through critical analysis and sustained collaboration among progressive organizations and constituencies.

The Progressive Ideas Network's May discussion will focus on a set of broad, systemic problems that seem to demand fresh thinking on our part, including wealth and inequality; structural racism; economic and environmental sustainability; corporate structure and governance; and the future of social insurance.

Getting Involved Online

Commonweal Institute supporter Richard Alexander contacted us recently with his idea to help the economy.  We added his article to our website's Archive and created a blog post to call attention to it.  An excerpt:

We can jump-start economic recovery by enacting 100% write-offs for all capital goods purchased in 2009 by small businesses : cars, trucks, machinery, equipment upgrades, tools, facility expansion, etc., not just "equipment."  Write-off means taking all the tax benefits now, rather than having to depreciate them over years.

What do you think?  You can add your comments directly to our blog by registering for an account.

Have an idea of your own to address the problems our country faces?  Email it to info@commonwealinstitute.org

New Staff

Please welcome Commonweal Institute Interns Umayyah Cable and Raquel Castellanos who will be providing valuable assistance with research, communications and administrative tasks.

Next Steps

• Ask your progressive friends to join our email list.
  
  
• Check Out progressive gifts and gear from the Commonweal Collection.
  
  
• Buy Books online at Powell's by following this link and a portion of the sales will go to the Commonweal Institute. 
  
  
• Support Our Work with a secure online donation.  

Thanking you for your continued attention and support,

- The Commonweal Institute

In This Issue:

• We are Your Conduit
  

• April Events
  
  
• Upcoming Events
  
  
• Getting Involved Online
  
  
• New Staff

• Next Steps

Barry Kendall leads
a salon conversation

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