National democratic movements have taken shape and are building membership, increasing activities

There is a political organizing trend of building coalitions of like-minded groups on the internet right now.  In addition, other organizations have developed on their own.

On the democracy front, America has seen a budding of many movements independent of the two major parties; nine national organizations are listed below in alphabetical order.  Although they are for the most part non-ideological, they fall somewhere in the center and/or left on the political spectrum, and they all encourage grassroots and netroots activism from their members.

In the near future, there will be more numerous progressive conventions and protests.  Some of these organizations will come together at times for a greater presence and show of resolve.

• Agenda Project  |  http://agendaproject.org/  |  The Agenda Project’s goal is to build a powerful, intelligent, well-connected political movement capable of identifying and advancing rational, effective ideas in the public debate and in so doing ensure our country’s enduring success. .. Between out-dated political parties, self-interested multi-national corporations, and ineffectual elected officials, good values and common sense have lost their power in the public debate.  Our goal is to return normal Americans to the center of the policy debate by cultivating an understanding of public policy, facilitating common action, and connecting the best ideas and the strongest leaders with engaged citizens, elected officials, the media, political insiders, and experts through a variety of in-person and on-line platforms.

• Americans Elect  |  http://www.americanselect.org/  |  Americans Elect is the first-ever open nominating process. We're using the Internet to give every single voter—Democrat, Republican or independent—the power to nominate a presidential ticket in 2012. The people will choose the issues. The people will choose the candidates. And in a secure, online convention next June, the people will make history by putting their choice on the ballot in every state.

• Campaign for Stronger Democracy  |  http://strongerdemocracy.org/  |  The Campaign for a Stronger Democracy is a new coalition of advocates, scholars, civic organizations, public officials and concerned citizens who are working to create a strong, vibrant democracy, rooted in a belief that our democratic institutions can rise to the challenges facing our nation.

• Coffee Party USA  |  http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/  |  We are a non-partisan, fact-based, solutions-oriented network determined to have an impact in our nation's deliberative process.  If we abandon our civic duty to multi-national corporations and the ruling elite, the interests of our nation as a whole will be neglected.  Recognizing that many Americans are searching for a way to participate in our political process without adhering to any partisan or ideological framework, our aim is to provide a gathering place and a method for those who might not otherwise have a voice in our democracy.  These are the voices we value most.

• Democracy Convention  |  http://democracyconvention.org/  |  If you want to strengthen democracy where it matters most -- in our communities, our schools, our workplaces and local economies, our military, our government, our media, our constitution -- you will find something inspiring in Madison this August. ..  More than one conference, this first Democracy Convention will house at least nine conferences under one roof. As the great progressive reformer Fighting Bob La Follette said, "democracy is a life," and "involves constant struggle" in all sectors of society. With the 2011 Democracy Convention, we recognize the importance of each of these separate democracy struggles, as well as the need to unite them all in a common, deeply rooted, broad based, movement for democracy.

• Move to Amend  |  http://movetoamend.org/  |  MovetoAmend.org is a coalition supported by hundreds of organizations and tens of thousands of individuals dedicated to ending the illegitimate legal doctrines that prevent the American people from governing ourselves.

• No Labels  |  http://nolabels.org/front  |  No Labels does not believe we need to search for better values or principles.  The solution is even simpler: we must return to the essence of our beliefs.  Most Americans in the vital center of our still great country

• October 2011  |  http://october2011.org/welcome  |  "I pledge that if any U.S. troops, contractors, or mercenaries remain in Afghanistan on Thursday, October 6, 2011, as that occupation goes into its 11th year, I will commit to being in Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C., with others on that day or the days immediately following, for as long as I can, with the intention of making it our Tahrir Square, Cairo, our Madison, Wisconsin, where we will NONVIOLENTLY resist the corporate machine by occupying Freedom Plaza to demand that America's resources be invested in human needs and environmental protection instead of war and exploitation. We can do this together. We will be the beginning."

• USAction  |  http://www.usaction.org/  |  USAction builds power by uniting people locally and nationally, on-the-ground and online, to win a more just and progressive America.  We create the nation's leading progressive coalitions, making democracy work by organizing issue and election campaigns to improve people's lives.

These offer opportunities for democratic and progressive activism to individuals and smaller groups across the U.S.  You, too, can be a part by checking out and signing up with what interests you the most.