What We Do:
The Carrots and Sticks Project represents the next step in the evolution of netroots activism: carrying the online passion for policy forward into the real world realm of direct Capitol Hill advocacy.-David Waldman, Daily Kos Contributing Editor and Congress Matters Project Lead
Vision Statement:
The Carrots and Sticks Project is a grassroots DC-based action tank committed to rebuilding America's physical, economic and democratic infrastructure. As an action tank, we enable policy professionals and political activists to work together toward equitable and sustainable prosperity.
History:
In the wake of the historic 2008 election, Obama for America put out a call to host “Change is Coming” house parties to chart the organization’s future course. In response, Jeremy Koulish hosted a house party entitled “Talking Carrots and Sticks--Our Role in Enacting a Change Agenda.” Attended by over 30 area activists as well as NPR and National Journal reporters, the party led to a lively discussion of ways the Obama community could bring his campaign agenda to fruition. You can read more about that meeting here. It was clear that we were not prepared to sit back and simply hope for change.
Interest was strong enough that Jeremy called a second meeting, at which twenty people gathered. We decided to form the “DC Residents `Carrots and Sticks’ Coalition” to influence the formation of the upcoming stimulus bill. Our priorities emphasized green upgrades to transportation and infrastructure, equitable job creation and income protection measures, and investments in education and health care. One thing led to another, and before we knew it, we were having meetings with senior staffers for Senators Harry Reid and Max Baucus, among others. In these meetings, we laid the groundwork for realizing our concept of equitable, sustainable prosperity.
Since then, we’ve met with dozens of Congressional member offices and Senate offices, a number of Committees, and various policy makers in the Democratic party, all the time getting the message out that ordinary citizens are demanding our needs come before entrenched monied interests. We’ve also been reaching out to fellow activists, environmental and tax experts, think tanks and other policy players. We are determined to take the seeds of political change from the Obama movement and sow them in the halls of power.
On the Hill:
We are a new organization, but our presence is being felt on Capitol Hill. In addition to delivering advocacy letters to dozens of Congressional offices, we have personally advocated for a green and prosperous future through in-person meetings with the following 39 legislators and policy experts:
Senate: (Leadership) Senate Committees: |
House: (Leadership) House Committees |
We have also formed alliances with several like-minded organizations. Our allies include: Transportation for America, Sum of Change, DC for Democracy, Democracy for America, Congress Matters, FireDogLake, and the Complete Streets Coalition.