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
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)


Commercial Alert

"...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."

Media are everywhere...


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."

Interfaith Alliance

"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."

Faith and Freedom Coalition

"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."

Eagle Forum 

"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."

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

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."

The Anti-Defamation League

"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."

MALDEF

"the nation’s leading Latino legal civil rights organization."

Human Rights Campaign

"...working for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equal rights."

Alliance Defense Fund

“The Alliance Defense Fund is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.”

USDOJ-Civil Rights Division

"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."

Mayors Against Illegal Guns

"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."

Points of Light Institute

"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."

Serve.gov

"your online resource for not only finding volunteer opportunities in your community, but also creating your own."

AmeriCorps

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