This page will provide you links to good information with a
summary of what can be found at those sites. Good sites: Philadelphia
II Home Page Being developed -- but you can learn about
Philadelphia II's goal of implementing a proposed National Direct Democracy
Initiative process from People's Lobby's site by clicking: National
Direct Democracy Initiative. Initiative & Referendum Institute:
What is
the Initiative & Referendum Institute?
The Initiative & Referendum Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit,
non-partisan, educational and research organization that does what no other
national group does - we analyze, promote and defend one of the most powerful
tools in American politics - the initiative and referendum process.
The initiative and referendum process has been a critical tool to check the
power of unresponsive and unaccountable government at the state and local level
for 100 years. Through its use, women gained the right to vote, we can directly
elect our U.S. Senators, we have direct primaries, term limits on 18 state
legislatures, tax and spending limits, the eight-hour work day, environmental
reforms and much, much more. In 1998 alone, the 100th anniversary of initiative
and referendum, voters were heard on such issues as affirmative action, animal
rights, term limits, tax limits, and medical marijuana, to name a few.
The mission of the Initiative & Referendum Institute is to research and
develop clear analysis of the initiative process and its use; to inform and
educate the public about the process and its effects on the political, fiscal
and social fabric of our society; and to provide effective leadership in
litigation – defending the initiative process and the right of citizens to
reform their government from career legislators who want to take it away...
Public Citizen
Founded by Ralph Nader in 1971, Public Citizen is the consumer's eyes and
ears in Washington. With the support of more than 150,000 people like you, we
fight for safer drugs and medical devices, cleaner and safer energy sources, a
cleaner environment, fair trade, and a more open and democratic government.
We stand up for you against thousands of special interest lobbyists in
Washington -- well-heeled agents for drug companies, the automakers, big energy
interests, and the like. Our budget is small by comparison. But Public Citizen
is respected and effective, precisely because we accept no government or
corporate support. We speak only for you.
Six Divisions -- One Mission
CONGRESS WATCH
THE HEALTH RESEARCH GROUP
THE LITIGATION
GROUP
.THE CRITICAL MASS ENERGY PROJECT
GLOBAL TRADE WATCH
BUYERS
UP
Vote Smart
Recently recognized by the American Political Science Association as the best
and easiest source in existence for abundant, accurate, useful information on
candidates and issues.
Vote.org
Promotes Philadelphia
II's Direct Democracy Initiative and works to
perfect it.
Vote.org also provides information and consulting from the directors of the
National Science Foundation's Televote trials and Boulder, Colorado's Voting by
Phone ballot initiative.
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