About Us

Seeds for Thought represents a new approach to defining and supporting progressive issues that will level out the playing field for honest discussion and debate.
     Our articles attempt to remove the superficial spin used by both political extremes to shape the issues into reasons for conflict and division. We explore the human depth of these issues, hoping to unite hearts on both sides of the aisle through honest, non-belligerent dialog. It is time that conservatives and liberals put aside their animosity for the good of our people and the world. Abraham Lincoln pointed out that a house divided cannot stand. This is very important to remember while facing:

• global warming
• terrorism
• nuclear-armed North Korea
• Iran's rush for nuclear weapons
• the War in Iraq
• the impact of outsourcing on Middle Class Americans
• an aggressive religious right constantly trying to take over our government, while hoping to provoke Armageddon
• poor relations with our allies
• threats of a possible pandemic
• the AIDS epidemic
• a news media dominated by sensationalism rather than truth
• a swell of illegal immigration
• a news media that has lost its way
• powerful corporations directing our leadership for their benefit rather than that of the American people
• and on top of all this, political corruption

We need to work together now more than ever, but talking heads who profit from divisiveness urge us into stagnating conflict instead.
     Seeds for Thought is not looking for donations or followers. Our mission is to plant seeds of thought that are meant to inspire all of us to think for ourselves, in contrast to those who prefer that we do not. They would have us fight among ourselves while the house burns all around us.
     If you find our articles have value, then please refer them to others. If you wish to do more, sow your own seeds for thought with people you speak with by discussing the issues in a new fashion, opening positive dialogs that lead to unity and change.
      Only when democracy excites us into action will it ever become what it was originally intended.

Liberalism for Today
Vision Statement
Our Philosophy

Liberalism for Today

The main problem with political extremism, as we see it, arises from the contentious attitudes people adopt. Rarely do they achieve anything other than furthering the national divide.
     What causes this contention? It's not just a difference of opinion. It's a difference in vision that prevents constructive communication.
     Conservatism has an advantage here. They easily and consistently put their message into words that appeal to basic cultural concerns:

• Fear of and resistance to change
  
• Respect for tradition
  
• Patriotism based on nationalism and ethnocentric certainty
  
• Individualism
  
• Small, unobtrusive government
  
• Fiscal responsibility
  
• Lowering taxes
  
• A desire to win, to be on top

Liberalism is not so easily explained. While conservatives can point to an idealized past (that never existed, but is nevertheless appealing), liberals point to the future, to dreams and possibilities. Liberalism wants to improve the human condition by recognizing opportunities for a more perfect and equitable union. What people forget is that our nation was founded on such dreams. Without them, we would have adopted a monarchy much like the European traditions that the ruling class hailed from.
     Liberalism wants to protect people from harm, help them rise to their innate potential, while upholding liberty. It recognizes that the business world cannot and will not bring this about on its own. Only a government of the people has the desire, resources and capabilities to do it. A program like Social Security illustrates this potential. And while many conservatives would like to dismantle Social Security, presumably for something more traditional which has never been adequately articulated, we know that the abandonment of so many elderly, disabled or otherwise dependent Americans would be patriotically obscene. Although the majority of people made their voices heard when President Bush tried to "reform" Social Security, we must remain ever vigilant. It is far easier to destroy something grand than to build it.
     Progressivism aims at enhancing the quality of life for all people. It is the way of the future. While we cannot point to a fictitious past, we can still point to our dreams.

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Vision Statement

The purpose of Seeds For Thought is to heal the bitter divide between political extremes while transforming and promoting progressive ideas. We recognize that the present-day tension between left and right has resulted in a stagnating conflict of ideologies that leads nowhere and is ultimately detrimental to our society.

To accomplish this, Seeds For Thought is dedicated:

• To encourage, energize and empower new progressive thinking throughout Connecticut.
• To serve as a bridge between liberal and conservative ideas that will lead to communication, reconciliation and cooperation.
• To give voice to mainstream religious people who believe in a kinder, gentler America that is rooted in religious and Enlightenment tradition.
• To appeal to non-religious people whose depth of personal belief and motivation can be described as spiritual.
• To redefine our local, state and national problems in order to find better solutions.
• To replace greed in our personal and professional lives with conscience and compassion.

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Our Philosophy

The best liberalism is one that believes in personal responsibility. The best conservatism is one that feels compassion for people and the environment. The best patriotism includes more than the flag or enclaves of like-minded people. It includes the well-being of everyone.
     When we really think about this, we conclude that liberals and conservatives are not so different after all. The tension between them actually prevents extremism from taking over. We have to realize this. When we do, we understand that we have to defend the rights of everyone. That's what the American Dream is all about, and the essence of most religious teachings as well.
     We don't have to score points against our conservative friends. We don't have to publicly malign their ideas, especially if we don't open to their possible validity beforehand. A better approach is to plant seeds of thought by first finding common ground. (We need ground to plant seeds in!) As the bible tells us, we have to avoid sowing them on stones or among weeds or where birds will eat them. That means we have to scatter our seed while respectfully acknowleding that we do not have all the answers and can learn from those with differing opinions.

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