How to Become Politically Active

If you ask most Americans, they will tell you that they think America is headed in a bad direction. The debacle in Iraq, the failure to really combat terrorism, the economy they try to tell you is "good" because the rich are getting richer, The bellicose way our leadership has dealt with both allies and adversaries the world over, the spiraling cost of health care-while the "care" part of it diminishes, the far right pushing their agendas at every corner. You may feel overwhelmed and out of control. You might feel that no matter what you do, downhill is the direction the country will continue to go. I say take heart, take heed, and take charge.

Positive change only comes through action. The founders of America knew that without taking a stand nothing would change. Without acting, the oppressive
conditions they found themselves under would persist or get worse. Throughout the short history of America, examples of persons who were brave enough to take a stand can be found. Rosa Parks. Franklin Roosevelt. Abraham Lincoln. Martin Luther King. Throughout the history of the world change for the good only happens when good people act to make it so.

If you are frustrated with what has been happening in America but don't know what to do to help stop it, here are some suggestions. The far right fringe has pushed their agenda to the forefront of American politics for too long. They have their people mobilized. That's why less than 30% of the population of America dictated politics and policies to the rest of us since Mr. Bush and his neo-con cronies took power. Following you will find some suggestions for the Liberal (with a big L) to stand tall and stand up, to join with moderates and everyone else who wants a better future for all, not just for the top 5%.

Learn whatever you can, from multiple sources. FOX isn't a good place to start, just so you know. I like Kieth Olbermann on MSNBC. For the half-hour news watcher, try NBC News with Brian Williams. And look to sources outside the country too. Read the BBC or ITN or similar new sites online. Study some history and learn what it truly means to be a progressive. Hint-it's not as bad as Bill O'Reilly says!

Start local, think global. A major component in the takeover of American politics by the far right started at the local level. Getting themselves on school boards, city councils, state governments. So become involved in the community around you. If you are interested and able to, run for local office. If you aren't, support someone who is. Go to meetings. Voice your opinion wherever you can-letters to the editor, online, if you have the time, call into radio shows. Grow the movement.

Join progressive groups. MoveOn.org is a great organization. They constantly work to bring important issues into the everyday discussions. So many people are non-involved now, and so many think it is not important to be. Or that it's not "cool." Or that the issues don't really matter to them. They don't know anyone in Iraq, they don't know anyone trying to make it with a family on a low wage job, they don't know anyone struggling to pay horrendous health costs.

But maybe they do. More and more Americans are finding themselves in one or more of those categories. And more of those who aren't yet in one are seeing what is happening to their nieghbors and beginning to want to make a change. And they are seeing what our absolutely reckless foreign policy is doing around the world.

In closing-look, learn, listen, act. Look around. The status quo is not sustainable. Not for the economy, the environment, or the people of the world. Good luck!