Today – We launch our 2012 Membership Drive and invite readers who have just started visiting Firedoglake or have been with us for years to join our membership program for as low at $5/month or $45/year. You can join at different levels, and each has membership benefits and gifts, but you’ll also get a sense of accomplishment when you realize all the membership program does.

I was up late doing some thinking after the GOP debate on why membership at FDL is so important to me, and what benefits it offers to others who join. I just graduated in 2009, and I like to think that is not all that long ago. I was 23 years old, on the job hunt, sending out 20 resumes a day, interviewing at temp-to-hire firms, willing to take anything and trying to show off my credentials.

I realized that I had a lot of experience on campaigns, and my grades were great, but I did not “get that involved.” What I am getting at here is that FDL is a great member benefits program to become a part of as a young college student or recent graduate.