Welcome to the Transpartisan Voice

Welcome to Transpartisan Voice, a home for the political opinions of the great majority (about 70%) of people living in the United States who identify as neither Democrats nor Republicans.  It is our premise that this group of people, who avoid partisan identity, play a key, often dispositive, role in determining the policy course of the United States.  We believe that the formal disconnection of these individuals from the levers of American institutional political power creates a dangerous national weakness.  Here we explore ways to tap the power of Americans who have beliefs, ideas, and objectives that the current political structure rejects or marginalizes.  The general overview of our approach can be found in Voice of the People: The Transpartisan Imperative in American Life by A. Lawrence Chickering and James S. Turner. We look forward to a lively conversation on this blog around Transpartisan themes. Read the preface by Stephen P. Cohen here.

Available on Amazon.com.

Read the Book that Started a New Conversation

Written by A. Lawrence Chickering, a Yale Scholar who began his career in public policy working for William F. Buckley, and attorney James S. Turner, an original Nader’s Raider and progressive Democrat, Voice of the People: The Transpartisan Imperative in American Life started a dynamic new conversation about how American public policy debates can move beyond the static left vs. right patterns of the post-World War II era. Several traditional progressive thinkers agree with some traditional conservative advocates that there needs to be room for a transpartisan conversation…

“If the shrill partisan rhetoric of American politics has become poisonous, then this book is the best antidote.  Read it and weep for what America has lost,  then read it  again  and celebrate for what we can find–if only we heed this book’s timely advice.”

– Mark Gerzon, President of Mediators Foundation and author of Leading Through Conflict: How Successful Leaders Transform Differences into Oppportunities

“Voice of the People is visionary for outlining steps to move us towards the next stage of political engagent…and it might actually work.  Chickering and Turner have outlined real world solutions in the midst of a conceptual paradigm shift.  As I read, I wanted to engage the authors in dialogue.”

– Debilyn Molineaux, President of Coffee Party USA and Co-Director for the Bridge Alliance

“Listen to the media or our leaders and too often it will feel as if we are a deeply divided country.  Yet we have vastly more in common than that which separates us.  It is time for us to recognize our deep well of common interest and work together with respect and intelligence for our common good.”

– Joan Blades, Co-founder of MoveOn.org and Living Room Conversations

“In Voice of the People, Chickering and Turner have recognized the public’s disgust with partisan polarizationand winner-take-all politics and the cost to the country. For all Americans who want to get beyond the labels, work from deeply-held values and join hands to partner on solving the major social and economic issues of our day, Voice of the People is a breath of fresh air.”

— Carolyn J. Lukensmeyer, Executive Director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse

Additional Reading

Online Library of Liberty

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established in 1960 to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals. The Foundation develops, supervises, and finances its own educational activities to foster thought and encourage discourse on enduring intellectual issues pertaining to liberty.  Explore this wonderful site here: www.oll.libertyfund.org.

Classic Books for Political Conservatives

Regnery Publishing describes itself as the country’s leading publisher of conservative books.  Since Henry Regnery founded the company back in 1947, we’ve focused on publishing books that challenge the status quo, books that spark a debate, and books that get people talking about the issues and questions we face as a country.  Explore their catalogue here: www.regnery.com.

RealClearPolitics

RealClearPolitics is the trusted, non-partisan convener in a content-rich media environment, thoughtfully curating the best coverage from every angle of the day’s most critical issues. As a destination for elected officials, opinion leaders, and engaged citizens, RealClearPolitics provides a platform to elevate the best-of-the-best in journalism at www.realclearpolitics.com.

Politico.com

POLITICO is a global news and information company at the intersection of politics and policy. With publications based in Washington, D.C., New York and Brussels – and continued expansion into various state capitals in the United States – POLITICO has one of the most robust and rapidly expanding roster of journalists covering politics and policy in the world at www.politico.com.

The National Review

“We believe that truth is neither arrived at nor illuminated by monitoring election results, binding though these are for other purposes, but by other means, including a study of human experience. On this point we are, without reservations, on the conservative side.” — National Review Mission Statement at www.nationalreview.com

The American Prospect

The American Prospect’s mission is summed up in the phrase “liberal intelligence” that runs under the logo on the magazine’s cover. We aim to advance liberal and progressive goals through reporting, analysis, and debate about today’s realities and tomorrow’s possibilities at www.prospect.org.

The American Spectator

Published continuously since 1967, sparring toe-to-toe with presidents and a generation of leading political thinkers, The American Spectator continues to provide its unique view of American conservative politics, with a keen sense of irreverence at www.spectator.org.

London Progressive Journal

London Progressive Journal (LPJ) is an online current affairs journal that covers news from a non-sectarian left wing perspective. In response to an increasingly stale mainstream media, LPJ aims to provide an intelligent, critical and accessible discourse on the key issues facing Britain and the world today, providing an outlet for established as well as budding journalists to publish articles that tackle national and international issues in an intellectually stimulating way. www.londonprogressivejournal.com/main/index

Starting the Conversation

JimTurner has a team of associates to help build the framework of Transpartisan public discussions.  His key colleague is also his key law partner,  Betsy E. Lehrfeld, Esq.  Betsy is an attorney who practices in Washingon, DC and  specializes in  consumer interest, regulatory, and health and wellness issues. She is a member of the both the California and District of Columbia bars,  Betsy is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) (1977). Ms. Lehrfeld represents nonprofit and business organizations, and provides advice on commercial, contract, corporate and tax exemption matters.  She is a member of the Boards of Directors of Clarus Transphase Scientific, Inc., a California transformative technologies company, the Integral Institute, a nonprofit organization doing research and education on the integration of science and spirituality, and Global Gateway Foundation, a scientific, social and philanthropic catalyst to support healing, wellness and the dignity and integration of global humanity.  – Mark Rhoads 07/04/2009

Disclaimer:  The contents of this section were first published online at www.transpartisanvoice.typepad.com in 2009 and some attributions, links, and details may be dated or no longer accurate.  As we build the Transpartisan Review website, we will be updating what we can but in the meantime we appreciate your patience.