Forty years ago the hand-held calculator was the big thing; now the
digital revolution and social media are transforming the world.
Forty years ago the Hispanic
population of the United States was 4.7% now it is 16%. American
society and culture are changing in ways big and small, but at the base
is a tradition of faith, family and freedom. Debate arises over
the details. In particular, cultural or "family values" issues
such as
abortion, same sex marriage and the role
of faith in the
public square can prompt heated discussion.
General | Faith
|
Family Values
|
Rights and
Liberties
| More
GENERAL
U.S. Census
Bureau-2011 Statistical Abstract
"the authoritative and comprehensive summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States."
Gallup-Healthways Well Being IndexTM
"first-ever daily assessment of U.S. residents' health
and well-being.
By interviewing at least 1,000 U.S. adults every day, the Well-Being
Index provides real-time measurement and insight..."
Gross National Happiness-American Project
"seeks to change what we measure from wealth to
well-being"
Socialnomics
(Eric
Qualman)
"Social
Media
Revolution
2"
Digital Universe (EMC)
"...to keep the commercial culture within its proper sphere, and to prevent it from exploiting children and subverting the higher values of family, community, environmental integrity and democracy."
Index of Leading Cultural Indicators
Developed by William Bennett in 1993 and modeled on
the Index of
Leading Economic Indicators, the Index attempted "to bring a similar
kind of data-based analysis to cultural issues."
FAITH
The Pew Forum on Religion & Public
Life
"launched in 2001, seeks to promote a
deeper understanding of issues at the intersection of religion and
public
affairs."
American Center for Law and Justice
"engages in litigation, provides legal services, renders advice, counsels clients, provides education, and supports attorneys who are involved in defending the religious and civil liberties of Americans."
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
"...brings together
Americans
of many faiths and political viewpoints to defend church-state
separation."
"equally committed to protecting the integrity of both
religion and
democracy in America. We champion religious freedom by respecting
individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and
democracy and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism and build
common ground."
White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships
"forms partnerships between government at all levels
and non-profit
organizations, both secular and faith-based, to more effectively serve
Americans in need."
FAMILY VALUES
Family Research Council
"Since 1983, Family Research Council (FRC) has
advanced faith, family and freedom in public policy and public
opinion."
"committed to educating, equipping, and mobilizing people of faith and like-minded individuals to be effective citizens. Together we will influence public policy and enact legislation that strengthens families, promotes time-honored values, protects the dignity of life and marriage, lowers the tax burden on small business and families, and requires government to tighten its belt and live within its means."
"to enable conservative and pro-family men and women to participate in the process of self-government and public policy making so that America will continue to be a land of individual liberty, respect for family integrity, public and private virtue, and private enterprise."
Christian Coalition of America
"offers people of faith the vehicle to be actively
involved in
impacting
the issues they care about - from the county courthouse to the halls of
Congress."
National Fatherhood Initiative
"To improve the well-being of children by increasing
the proportion of
children growing up with involved, responsible, and committed fathers."
RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES
abortion and family planning
American Life League
National Right to Life Committee
NARAL Pro-Choice America
Planned Parenthood
Federation
of America
same sex marriage
NCSL-Same-Sex
Marriage
Marriage Equality USA
National Organization for
Marriage
liberty and justice for all
American Civil Liberties Union
"our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country."
consumer information and consumer advocacy on privacy
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
"...to ensure the
political,
educational, social and economic equality of rights of all persons and
to eliminate race-based discrimination."
"founded in 1913 'to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.' Now the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all."
"the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization."
"...working for gay,
lesbian,
bisexual and transgender equal rights."
“The Alliance Defense Fund is a legal alliance
defending the right to
hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and
litigation.”
"works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights
of all Americans,
particularly some of the most vulnerable members of our society. The
Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the
basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and
national origin."
2nd Amendment
National Rifle Association
"America's foremost defender of Second Amendment rights."
Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
"dedicated to protecting your firearms rights. Our role is to educate grass root activists, the public, legislators and the media. Our programs are designed to help all Americans understand the importance of the Second Amendment and its role in keeping Americans free."
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
"The Brady Campaign works to pass and enforce
sensible federal and state
gun laws, regulations, and public policies through grassroots activism,
electing public officials who support common sense gun laws, and
increasing
public awareness of gun violence."
"protecting the rights of Americans to own
guns, while fighting to keep criminals from possessing guns illegally."
CRIME
Federal Bureau of Investigation
National Crime Prevention Council
ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Urban
Institute:
Cultural
Vitality
Indicators
National Endowment
for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
SERVICE
United Way
"...a world where all individuals and families achieve
their human
potential through education,
income stability
and healthy lives."
"helps people get involved in solving some of
the world’s
greatest challenges. ...by inspiring, equipping, and mobilizing
people to make that change happen."
Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship
"helping business leverage its social, economic and
human
assets to ensure both its success and a more just and sustainable
world."
"your online resource for not only finding volunteer
opportunities in
your community, but also creating your own."
Corporation for National and Community Service brings "the full range of domestic community service programs under the umbrella of one central organization."
THINK TANKS
American Enterprise Institute -
Social and Cultural Studies
Center for American Progress -
Civil
Rights,
Liberties,
Justice | Women's
Health & Rights
Heritage
Foundation
- Family
&
Marriage | Leadership
for
America:
Family
&
Religion