Comments on: Blue America: Progressive Infrastructure

By: Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:51:11 +0000

‘gave’, not ‘have’. It should read: Above an answer I gave to a question included…

By: Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:48:32 +0000

Thanks for the question. Above an answer I have to a question included, “So now established issue organizations are also starting to work in a progressive infrastructure way, by working to reach the general public and explain core values again. This mutually reinforces the foundation of support as well as other organizations that are aligned.”

I think a good way to judge where to donate might be to ask if the organization is at least in part reaching the general public with a core progressive message that supports their own and other progressive-aligned groups, or is just pussing a narrow issue message.

By: CajunGypsy

CajunGypsy — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:59:19 +0000

Many cannot afford giving anyone $100 at one go, even on an only-once-a-year basis — I know I can’t. What’s wrong with smaller donations, say $25 a year or so? Every little bit helps, doesn’t it?

By: CajunGypsy

CajunGypsy — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 04:56:40 +0000

Mr. Johnson: While I enjoyed reading your opinion piece and agree with its basic premise, I would like a bit of clarification on one point. You emphasize that donations should be made “not [to] issue-based” groups, but to “infrastructure” groups. How do you differentiate between these categories? And why discourage people from donating to issue-based groups as well as the other kind? Don’t donations and work for both help our cause?

I think an “either/or” polarizing attitude that only some groups are the “right” groups to donate risks fracturing our movement, which is the last thing we need right now…or at any time, really.

By: dakine01

dakine01 — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 22:02:39 +0000

Book Salon a few flights upstairs with Jane hosting Ed Begley, Jr.

By: egregious

egregious — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:34:30 +0000

Perhaps because we’ve been out of power for so long, it’s difficult to make the shift from blue sky thinking to getting ourselves into action. I am reminded of the intelligensia in Russia who would spend endless hours around the kitchen table with intimate friends discussing how things should be.

And it’s all fine to continue having the theoretical discussions - we need and value our philosophers. But we also need some leaders, people to point the way and say:

“We’re doing this. Right now. Follow me.”

By: Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:29:08 +0000

The particular organizations I work with are the Commonweal Institute, and Speak Out California.

By: Twain

Twain — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:18:05 +0000

Thanks. I have been giving to candidates through Blue America but not to the Dem Party. Won’t ever give to the party again until they show me that they can be real Dems. Will look at the organizations you suggest.

By: Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:07:52 +0000

Above not below. Heh.

By: Dave Johnson

Dave Johnson — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:06:41 +0000

Twain, I gave the long version of an answer to this in a comment below to egregious.