ENGAGE:

WRITE

YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

DISCUSS

TRUE PATRIOTISM

ENTER

A COMPETITION

WRITE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Your first name:	Your last name:
Your email address:	Your state:
Your complete mailing address:
Choose a representative:	Don't know your representative?
Message: We encourage you to customize this message. I am one of your constituents and, like many Americans, I am concerned about the direction of our country. As I watch what Congress does, I see a great deal of discussion and debate about policy and legislation but I am often frustrated that the debate seems to occur in a vacuum. There is often no context of values and principles and no overarching moral framework that helps people like me make sense of one bill or another. Members of Congress often defend their actions, or attack their opponents, on the basis of patriotism. But it is not clear to me what you mean when you speak of patriotism. I believe that true patriotism means country above self. And I believe that to look closely at the idea of country above self is to arrive at a set of moral principles that are inherently progressive: stewardship, mutual obligation, contribution before consumption, a long-term view over short-term gratification, equal opportunity and a fair shot. I believe that true patriotism does not lead to blind faith in the market or to a narrow view that freedom means simply freedom from taxation or freedom from responsibility. But I am writing because I want to know what you believe. And so I would like you to answer two very simple questions. First, what are the core moral principles that guide your choices and actions in public policymaking and public leadership? And second, how are your core principles consistent with my vision of true patriotism? I honor your service and appreciate all you do to try to represent me and your other constituents. I look forward to your response.

Change the Future of Politics

To help change the culture of our politics, here's a simple twist on an old idea: write a letter to your U.S. Representatives and Senators in Congress in Congress. Instead of writing about a policy issue, ask them what their core principles are and how those principles are truly patriotic.

Members of Congress have files filled with form letters that they send out to their constituents sharing their stances on Iraq, health care, the economy, global warming, and a host of other issues. But they almost never have a form letter prepared on their core moral principles and public philosophy. Just by asking them, you'll force your elected representatives and their staff to get off the relentless treadmill of legislative tactics, and to reflect more deeply on what they believe and why. If enough of us ask our representatives to fit their political stances in a broad and thoughtful framework of true patriotism, then eventually we will get a different kind of leader. Our questions will ripple out and hasten the arrivl of a more purposeful and principle-based politics.