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Welcome to ProgressiveValues.org
Progressive values expressed through the soundbites of quotations
for hope and inspiration,
plus commentary and information
to open hearts, enlighten minds and transform the world.
Network of Spiritual Progressives-Minnesota
Postcards to Public Leaders Project
In the summer of 2007 some NSP-MN leaders started meeting with Minnesota state legislators to discuss how we might work together for the common good by exploring the spiritual dimension of public policy. Legislative involvement is increasing through continuing meetings and communications.
This interfaith grassroots organization recently launched an innovative program to raise consciousness among policy makers about the spiritual imperative to cooperate for the common good. A series of eight postcards is being sent, one each week, to state legislators and Constitutional officers. The colorful postcards include an inspirational quotation on the front and a hand-written message on the back.
You can buy these postcards to send to your policy makers here! A package of all 8 postcards is $10. NSP-MN receives 50% of the purchase price.
These are the eight quotations:
"Nothing is more contagious than genuine love and genuine care. Nothing is more exhilarating than authentic awe and wonder. Nothing is more exciting than to witness people having the courage to fight for their highest vision." Rabbi Michael Lerner
“No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be." Isaac Asimov
“A spirit of harmony can only survive if each of us remembers, when bitterness and self-interest seem to prevail, that we share a common destiny.” Barbara Jordan
“Politics is the deliberation of how we ought to order our life together.” Aristotle
"A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman thinks of the next generation." James Freeman Clarke
"The things we call impossible may be only one more step away from where we are right now. Don't stop trying too soon." Sister Joan Chittister
"We must move forward in the days ahead with audacious faith. The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"We need an open mind and a big heart and a compassionate imagination to allow for all the combinations we are becoming as a nation and as a human family." Julia Alvarez
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Thoughts about Senator Barack Obama's speech by Phyllis Stenerson
(Note - links to the Obama speech of 3/18//08 plus speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy and Mitt Romney are at the upper left of this page and in the commentary content.
Update - March 24, 2008 - read/listen to Rev. Jeremiah Wrights's sermons containing the comments at Essence.com. CNN commentator and Essence contributor Roland Martin provides background information and perspective on Wright, the sermons and political exploitation of Wright's remarks.)
Senator Barack Obama's speech on March 18, 2008 moved me more deeply than the words of any politician previously. There are several reasons: He is an exceptionally eloquent orator, knows American history and philosophy, has intellectual depth, embraces complexity and speaks from the heart.
Another reason it resonated so powerfully is that I was not only ready, but extremely eager, to hear this message. It is long overdue! I am grateful he had the courage to go far beyond the usual safe zone for politicians and move bravely into the realm of moral leadership.
I won't go into details of the speech since it's being widely circulated through mass media and the internet with much commentary. I happened to turned on TV and caught part of the speech. Serendipity! I could hardly believe it was real.
Obama is in a unique position to deliver this message being an African American within reach of becoming President of the United States - what Teddy Roosevelt called "a bully pulpit." Not only is he heard, he is taken very seriously.
We ignore this message at our peril.
In the past seven years I, along with many others, have anguished over the direction of our country and felt that our democracy was genuinely threatened. I've read books and countless articles on the internet, joined with other concerned citizens, organized spiritual progressives, protested, marched for peace, traveled to conferences, written commentary and even preached a sermon in a quest to understand what was happening in our government and society and doing what we can to make things right.
Time after time wise prophets have spoken to us, telling us we need to change, pointing the way to universal justice and peace. Time and again, we've ignored the messages. We've found the task too difficult, given in and given up. Right wing extremists did not give up but filled the ideology and leadership void, moving the country over the past 30 years away from progressive values and have done more damage to our country and world than we can even imagine.
Outstanding among the prophetic voices was that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Obama's speech is being compared to King's "I Have a Dream" speech and his "Letter From a Birmingham Jail."
Obama's speech fit very well in my worldview developed through life experience, relationships, spirituality, activism and study. I was extremely eager to hear a prophetic call to action and encouraged that it was amplified throughout mass media and the internet.
My strong affinity for Obama's speech is in stark contrast to my being oblivious to the Kennedy and King speeches of the 1960's when I was caught up in my own life and had no frame of reference to understand the events of the time or envision the ramifications for the future.
I believe Obama's call for Americans to have a deeply serious, even spiritual, national conversation about race to be absolutely essential. People need to know the history and understand the complexity of race in America.
We might expand the dialogue to include the other issues that superficially sort the human family into groups, that divide one person or group from another such as religion, gender, class, age and nationality plus physical and mental ability.
We must address the damage done by those who exploit these artificial barriers for political or material gain or to advance their ideology.
The dialogue will not be quick, easy or perfect. We'll make mistakes and make people uncomfortable, probably even angry. We'll also find that the vast majority of our fellow citizens are longing to move toward a more just and peacful world. Many are already actively engaged in the progressive grassroots movement and want to broaden their dialogue to include others who have differing perspectives.
No one person or group has the answer. Barack Obama doesn't claim to be able to do this alone and calls for all of us to become engaged. Active citizen education and participation is essential. We need to share what we know and learn from others, do what we can and support others. We can and must do this!
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“Whereof what’s past is prologue, what to come in yours and my discharge.”
William Shakespeare, The Tempest
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Update - March 24, 2008 - read/listen to Rev. Jeremiah Wrights's sermons containing the comments at Essence.com. CNN commentator and Essence contributor Roland Martin provides background information and perspective on Wright, his sermons and political exploitation of Wright's remarks. | 
