The eligibility criteria for getting listed on this page is one or more of:
- held or holding a public elected office
- running for a public elected office
- published something or received special recognition for public service
These are just guidelines. The final right to decide who is listed is reserved by The Democracy Foundation.
This is not an exclusive list. Other people who are not listed here may also endorse NI4D.
Chomsky, Noam
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Avram Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, political activist, author and lecturer. He is an Institute Professor and professor emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Endorsement:
I am writing to endorse formally the National Initiative for Democracy. Noam Chomsky |
Ellsberg, Daniel
Posted June 3rd, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Daniel Ellsberg is a former American military analyst employed by the RAND Corporation who precipitated a national political controversy in 1971 when he released the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret Pentagon study of government decision-making about the Vietnam War, to The New York Times and other newspapers. He was a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award in 2006. Endorsement:
I am happy to endorse the project. Daniel Ellsberg |
Gravel, Mike
Posted June 2nd, 2008 by jpritikin
Biography:
Maurice Robert "Mike" Gravel is a former Democratic United States Senator from Alaska, who served two terms from 1969 to 1981. He founded The Democracy Foundation. In order to promote the National Initiative for Democracy, he ran for president in 2008. Endorsement:
Marcus Cicero, over 2000 years ago, defined freedom as participation in power. If you don’t participate in power, you are not free. Whoever has the power owns you. If you want to be free you have to participate in power. Power is lawmaking; if you don’t participate in lawmaking, all you can do live by the laws that are made for you. Either you live by their laws or you go to jail. Those who make the law have the power to make you free. On election day, you give your power away. Follow the logic: If freedom is participation in power and power is lawmaking, then freedom is participation in lawmaking. The key to freedom is the National Initiative: it gives the people the tools to make laws, to vote on all the issues that effect their lives. Now THAT is freedom. The crux of the National Initiative is to share power and have freedom. |
Nader, Ralph
Posted June 8th, 2008 by jpritikin
Biography:
Ralph Nader is an American attorney, author, lecturer, political activist, and candidate for President of the United States in four elections. Areas of particular concern to Nader are consumer rights, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government. Endorsement:
[original] For over a decade, given the failures of elected politicians, Mike Gravel has been engaged in some extraordinary research and consultations with leading constitutional law experts about the need to enact another check to the faltering checks and balances–namely, the National Initiative for Democracy, a proposed law that empowers the people as lawmakers. |
Stallman, Richard
Posted June 9th, 2008 by jpritikin
Biography:
Richard Matthew Stallman is an American software freedom activist, hacker, and software developer. In September 1983, he launched the GNU Project to create a free Unix-like operating system, and has been the project’s lead architect and organizer. With the launch of the GNU Project, he started the free software movement and, in October 1985, set up the Free Software Foundation. Endorsement:
Direct democracy is one of the things we need to establish, to take back control of the US government from the megacorporations that effectively own it now. |
Atlee, Tom
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Tom Atlee is founder and co-director of the non-profit Co-Intelligence Institute. Recently his work has focused on developing our capacity to function as a wise democracy, so we can turn our social and environmental challenges into positive developments for our society. Endorsement:
I endorsed the National Initiative years ago. Coheartedly, |
Beedham, Brian
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Brian Beedham was the foreign affairs editor of The Economist magazine from 1964 to 1989 and has published extensively on the advantages of direct democracy. Endorsement:
you are welcome to cite me as an endorser of Mike’s proposals. Best regards, Brian |
Bowman, Bob
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Robert M. Bowman was a former Director of Advanced Space Programs Development for the U.S. Air Force in the Ford and Carter administrations, and a former United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with 101 combat missions. He holds a Ph.D. in Aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology. Endorsement:
I have always been a supporter of P II and all Mike’s efforts. You may put me down as endorsing his Democracy Amendment. Bob Bowman |
Crane, Robert D.
Posted January 24th, 2009 by jpritikin
Biography:
Dr. Robert D. Crane is Director for Global Strategy for the Abraham Federation: A Global Center for Peace through Compassionate Justice. In 2006, he was one of the two co-founders of The American Revolutionary Party. President Nixon appointed him in 1969 as the Deputy Director for Planning in the National Security Council, and President Reagan in 1981 appointed him U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. (Photograph by Diana Huntress) Endorsement:
As one of the co-founders with Senator Mike Gravel of Philadelphia Two, the forerunner of The National Initiative for Democracy, I support its commitment to peace, prosperity, and freedom by compassionate justice through Direct Democracy and the Just Third Way. |
Dreissen, Ken
Posted September 23rd, 2009 by ross
Biography:
Ken Driessen has been everything from a first aide responder to a welder to a teacher, and he is now a candidate for Congress in Wisconsin’s seventh district. He is running as an independent, with the basic tenet of his platform being "direct participatory democracy," a concept which includes the National Initiative for Democracy. Endorsement:
I certainly endorse the National Initiative…The NI is a good thing and politicians hate it because it takes back but a smidgin of the power they have abused from the beginning. I’d be proud to be listed as a supporter of the national initiative. Ken |
Gates, Jeff
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Gilbert, Alan
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Haddock, Doris
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Doris Granny D Haddock (a.k.a. Ethel Doris Rollins) is an American politician and liberal political activist from the state of New Hampshire. Haddock famously walked across the continental United States in 1999 to advocate campaign finance reform. Endorsement:
Thanks for refreshing my memory of Senator Gravel’s National initiative. I would be proud to endorse it. Doris (grannyd) Haddock |
Hansen, Jeremy
Posted June 1st, 2012 by jpritikin
Hawken, Paul
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, journalist, and best-selling author. At age 20, he moved to Boston to study macrobiotic philosophy under Michio and Aveline Kushi. He then dedicated his life to changing the relationship between business and the environment, and between human and living systems in order to create a more just and sustainable world. Endorsement:
This looks good. Please count me in. Paul Hawken (author, businessman) |
Hayden, Tom
Posted August 7th, 2010 by jpritikin
Biography:
After over forty years of activism, politics and writing, Tom Hayden still is a leading voice for ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, erasing sweatshops, saving the environment, and reforming politics through greater citizen participation. Learn more at his website. Endorsement:
I endorse. Tom Hayden — tomhayden.com |
Henderson, Hazel
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Hazel Henderson is a futurist and an evolutionary economist. She is the author of several books including Building A Win-Win World, Beyond Globalization, Planetary Citizenship (with Daisaku Ikeda), and Ethical Markets: Growing the Green Economy. Henderson is now a television producer for the public television series Ethical Markets. Endorsement:
I hereby endorse the National Intiative for Democracy. Best regards, |
Hill, Julia Butterfly
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Julia Butterfly Hill is an American activist and environmentalist. Hill is best known for living in a 180-foot-tall, 600-year-old California Redwood tree for 738 days between December 10, 1997 to December 18, 1999. Hill lived barefoot in the tree, affectionately known as "Luna," to prevent loggers of the Pacific Lumber Company from cutting it down. Endorsement:
From: Roxanna Super Thank you for your patience. Julia has taken the opportunity to read the information that you have provided and after careful consideration she would like her name added as an endorser for the National Initiative for Democracy. Please let us know if there is anything else that you need.
Thanks, |
Holthaus, Nicholas
Posted July 18th, 2011 by jpritikin
Biography:
Nicholas (Nico) Holthaus is a writer, teacher, and producer of social impact documentaries, political exposés and narrative films. He is the executive producer of the national Main St. Inc series, and the forthcoming Dear America documentary on the National Initiative. Endorsement:
In my research, travels and work around the country–primarily through political and social impact documentaries–I find that there are legions of well-meaning "reform groups." And regardless of their political leanings, the members of all of these groups have a common denominator: to reverse and eliminate the control corporate entities have on our legislation (and therefore on our lives). I firmly believe that the National Initiative for Democracy is the vehicle that can not only unite these groups in a common and positive, actualized vision, but has the best chance at real social, economic, educational and legislative reform. We all can do it, and we all will do it. |
Jacob, Paul
Posted August 2nd, 2008 by jpritikin
Jingozian, Michael
Posted September 2nd, 2008 by jpritikin
Kearns, Michael Shawn
Posted August 11th, 2010 by jpritikin
Kierig, Lee
Posted August 31st, 2010 by jpritikin
Knapp, Thomas
Posted August 12th, 2008 by jpritikin
Lerner, Michael
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Morehouse, Ward
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Ward Morehouse is an author, publisher, activist, and a co-founder of POCLAD, an American anti-corporate research collective. Morehouse is a well-known activist who has worked on the Bhopal Gas accident in India and is the founder of Apex Press. Endorsement:
Ward Morehouse President, Council on International and Public Affairs and author of Abuse of Power and other books on corporations and democracy. Co-founder and co-director of POCLAD
|
Murphy, John A.
Posted August 26th, 2008 by jpritikin
Biography:
John Murphy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from St. Joseph’s University and an MBA from Drexel University. He was an adjunct professor in the MBA programs at Temple University, Rutgers University and St. Joseph’s University, and he is a past president of the Philadelphia chapter of the American Marketing Association. He was an independent management consultant for 14 years. In 2008, he ran for Congress for PA-16 and lost to Joe Pitts. Endorsement:
I endorse it wholeheartedly. John Murphy |
Nissani, Moti
Posted July 8th, 2012 by jpritikin
Biography:
Dr. Nissani holds degrees in genetics, philosophy, and psychology. He left genetics in 1980, not wishing to carry out recombinant DNA research. Since then, his research and teaching defy specialization, involving such diverse fields as history, politics, media, science education, history of science, the greenhouse effect, and medicine. During the 1995-96 academic year, he served as a Fulbright Scholar at Tribhuvan University, Nepal and in 2000 served as an advisor to that university’s honors program. He also authored Lives in the Balance: The Cold War and American Politics, 1945-1991 (Hollowbrook Publishing, 1992). [Curriculum vitae] Endorsement:
OF COURSE |
Oddo, Joseph
Posted October 22nd, 2008 by jpritikin
Biography:
In 2008, Mr. Oddo ran for Congress in Northern Virginia’s 11th district. He was not elected. Endorsement:
I sat down to dinner four years ago with Mike at his favorite Chinese Restaurant in Rosslyn and endorsed NI4D. I advocate for it anytime the subject of our broken democracy is mentioned. I authored the National Election Reform Platform as posted on www.IndependentAmerica.org Please affix my name to the endorsement page – much appreciated. |
Perkins, John
Posted November 26th, 2009 by jpritikin
Biography:
Author of Confessions of an Economic Hit Man. New York Times Bestselling Author of Hoodwinked. For more information, see the biographical information posted on his website. Endorsement:
I am happy to endorse the National Initiative for Democracy. |
Reichel, Matt
Posted March 17th, 2009 by ross
Rensenbrink, John
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Seeger, Pete
Posted May 31st, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Peter Seeger, better known as Pete Seeger, is a folk singer, political activist, and a key figure in the mid-20th century American folk music revival. As a member of the Weavers, he had a string of hits, including a 1949 recording of Leadbelly’s "Goodnight Irene" that topped the charts for 13 weeks in 1950. However, his career as a mainstream performer was seriously curtailed by the Second Red Scare: he came under severe attack as a former member of the Communist Party of the United States of America. Later, he re-emerged on the public scene as a pioneer of protest music in the late 1950s and the 1960s. Endorsement:
Yes, I’ll join the endorsers of Sen Mike Gravel’s Nat. Init. for Democracy Pete Seeger |
Smith, Sam
Posted January 30th, 2010 by jpritikin
Biography:
Is a writer, activist and social critic who has been at the forefront of new ideas and new politics for more than four decades. He has been editing alternative publications since 1964, longer than almost anyone in the country. He covered the capital during all or part of ten presidencies. Read more here. Endorsement:
yeah, sign me on. . .
|
Solomon, Norman
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Norman Solomon is an American journalist, media critic and antiwar activist. Solomon is longtime associate of the media watch group Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR). In 1997 he founded the Institute for Public Accuracy, a national consortium of policy researchers and analysts which works pro-actively to provide alternative sources for journalists, and serves as its executive director. His weekly column, "Media Beat", has been in national syndication since 1992. Endorsement:
Yes, please add me to the list of endorsers. Norman Solomon author and syndicated columnist on media and politics |
Stephenson, Neil Kiernan
Posted August 25th, 2008 by jpritikin
Udall, Brad
Posted June 3rd, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Brad Udall is director of Western Water Assessment, one of seven RISA (Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments) programs funded by the Office of Global Programs at NOAA. Endorsement:
count me as an endorser of the National Initiative. best, Brad |
Wasserman, Harvey Franklin
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Harvey Franklin Wasserman is an author, journalist and advocate for renewable energy. He has been a strategist and organizer in the anti-nuclear movement in the United States for over 30 years. He has been a featured speaker on Today, Nightline, National Public Radio, CNN Lou Dobbs Tonight and other major media outlets. Wasserman is senior advisor to Greenpeace USA and the Nuclear Information and Resource Service, an investigative reporter, and senior editor of The Columbus Free Press and freepress.org. Endorsement:
i endorse the national initiative for democracy. harvey wasserman |
Welton, Kent
Posted August 8th, 2008 by jpritikin
Biography:
Kent Welton is an author, activist, musician, and artist. Endorsement:
Yes, it is the only route left to rescue us from corporate fascism embedded by the corporate media and privatized money powers. |
White, Gilbert Fowler
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Gilbert Fowler White (1911-2006) was a prominent American geographer, sometimes termed the "father of floodplain management" and the "leading environmental geographer of the 20th century" (Wescoat, 2006). Endorsement:
I am glad to join in endorsing the National Initiative Gilbert |
Williams, Byron
Posted May 28th, 2012 by jpritikin
Biography:
Byron Williams has spoken throughout the country, he has appeared on numerous television and radio news programs, including CNN, ABC Radio, Fox News, MSNBC, and National Public Radio. He is a featured writer on The Huffington Post, and serves as a member of People for the American Way’s African American Religious Affairs and is religious co-chair for the National Black Justice Coalition. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science; his masters’ thesis at the Pacific School of Religion of the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA emphasized a theology of liberation. Endorsement:
You have my permission to add my name. |
Winger, Richard
Posted June 10th, 2008 by jpritikin
Biography:
Richard Lee Winger has been for the last forty years the leading advocate in the United States for minor political parties, in particular for more equitable laws allowing access to the ballot for minor parties. Though he has no formal education in law, Winger is regarded as a formidable authority on election law, having testified as such in countless court cases across the country, and having been published in journals ranging from the Journal of Election Law to the Fordham Urban Law Review. Since 1985 he has published Ballot Access News, a monthly newsletter covering developments in ballot access law and among the minor parties generally. Endorsement:
I agree that the national initiative is very desirable, but I can’t see how to get it. We can’t even get any more states to accept the initiative. The last time was in 1983, Mississippi. |
Zinn, Howard
Posted May 30th, 2008 by admin
Biography:
Howard Zinn is an American historian, political scientist, social critic, activist and playwright, best known as author of the bestseller A People’s History of the United States. Endorsement:
Yes, I will be happy to endorse the Democracy Amendment. Howard Zinn |