People for Change
|
|
People For Change, also known as P4C or PFC, is a small yet growing, left-wing online community. A significant portion of its active posters, many of whom are Howard Dean supporters. Others are self-described Naderites, Green Party Members, socialists, communists, anarchists, and Republicans.
| Contents |
The Founding of PFC
PFC was originally known as the Dean Underground, a private forum for Howard Dean supporters from the Democratic Underground forums who felt that Howard Dean supporters were being unfairly limited at those forums. PFC evolved as a haven for advocates of Howard Dean's candidacy. Many members felt that the Democratic Party had become estranged from the ideals of Dean and that they needed an online forum of their own.
Evolution of the site
PFC's front page features rotating articles and commentary, and will often publish things that do not favor Howard Dean or the Democratic Party to allow membership to consider all sides of an issue. Continuing in this vein, PFC is known for a liberal and free-wheeling discussion board, and has policy of (limited) tolerance of right wingers. It seems they have a limit to the actual number and comportment is paramount if you are a conservative. Actual trolls or right wing talking parrots are banished to the Troll Pit where they are contained for the amusement of the membership.
PFC, like the original Dean for President Movement, has changed with the movement. Many members are enthusiastic real world particpants of Democracy for America, an activist group dedicated to changing the political landscape via the Democratic Party. PFC's membership is notable because of the high percentage of real-time activists, candidates and leaders who post there. This affects the pace of the board, as many are available to post on a limited basis due to their real life pursuits. Other boards seem to have denizens who never leave their computers for even a moment. Not so PFC. This allows for more thoughtful debate, and flame wars seem to be tolerated here as long as the discourse remains civil. The record thread went on for some 38 pages. (source: PFC administrator)
Mission Statement
PFC's stated misson statement included many references to the policies and advocacy of Howard Dean's candidacy. Included on their 'Misson Statement':
- "People For Change is a grassroots community dedicated to changing this country in the spirit of the Dean Campaign/Movement which has redefined politics for the 21st Century. We are devoted to continuing that movement by encouraging and promoting..."
- "Increased participatory democracy by engaging citizens who have abandoned the political process and by giving them a reason to be involved again";
- "More power of the people over their government and more accountability for elected officials and public servants";
- "Decreased influence and control over politics and government by corporate special interests and a consolidated corporate media which no longer serves 'the people's right to know' because of its slanted, biased and incomplete coverage of issues";
- "An honest and principled politics, and political campaigns devoid of pandering, dirty tricks, as well as self-serving and manipulative backroom deals";
- "An end to the unresponsiveness of politicians and public servants to the people they are supposed to serve";
- "Re-dedication to core traditional Democratic principles as articulated by Gov. Howard Dean, as well his vision as articulated in his American Restoration speech, and elsewhere."
External Links
- People For Change (http://www.peopleforchange.net/)
- PFC Forums (http://www.peopleforchange.net/forums)