NPI makes a difference by giving a voice to the voiceless
I got involved with the Northwest Progressive Institute in 2006, during the Congressional election campaign season. At the time, it was a way for me to help a brave candidate - one Darcy Burner - get a chance to explain why she had taken the plunge and decided to run for Congress. Three years and another election later, NPI has become much more than that for me.
My particular journey from clueless young adult to politically active not-so-young adult boils down to a well-worn aphorisms: "Don't get mad, get even."
When I was younger I was very upset about what conservatives were doing to America. I was disgusted that they were wasting our common wealth by shifting spending from education, research, and infrastructure towards the military. I was mad, but only mad. I felt powerless to do anything about it.
There were no blogs in those days.
As I got older, the itch to do something about it grew stronger, until I was writing letters to congressmen and senators, letters to the editor, and briefly (in the proto-blogging days of the 2004 election) running my own political commentary site.
Then blogging happened. A classic "I wish I'd thought of that!" moment, if ever there was one. I discovered NPI, and in it, a way to finally scratch that itch. For me, the frustration hasn't been my lack of power to personally make laws or pass budgets or whatever. I don't see myself in that way.
What has frustrated me is that I didn't have any mechanism by which to add my ideas and views to the public discourse. When I joined NPI, I felt like at last I had a voice. The Advocate is not the loudest voice in the blogosphere, certainly, but it is a voice. A chance not just to get mad but to "get even."
As my involvement with NPI deepened, I began to see how I could be even more involved through NPI. As NPI's Research Director, I can look at issues in as much depth as I want, think hard about them, and help shape a body of ideas that will serve to advance the progressive cause - both here in the Northwest and nationally - for years to come. That's a rare and precious opportunity for anybody to have, and I'm honored to be able to contribute.
In the end, what the Northwest Progressive Institute means to me is perhaps best summed up by another aphorism: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
The change I want to see in the world is healthy, vigorous public dialogue about the issues of our day. I want that because from it will flow the changes in public policy and personal attitudes that will lead our state, our nation, and our world to a future that is sustainable and equitable for all.
To, as the Preamble to the Constitution puts it, a "more perfect" union, but a union more broadly conceived than our founding fathers dreamed of.
I have to do my part in making that a reality.
If I don't, then honestly, I have no right to complain about anything. NPI gives me a platform from which to speak. The rest is up to me.
NPI can give you a voice, too. This is a volunteer organization. We already fight for a wide range of progressive issues, but odds are good there's something you're passionate about that we just don't have the person-power to tackle.
If you want your own direct, public voice, if you want to be your own change for the world, all you have to do is apply. We're always looking for smart, energetic, and talented individuals to contribute their enthusiasm and unique viewpoint.
Of course, not everyone has the time to do that kind of volunteer work. We understand that. But everyone can help.
We run a tight ship on a small budget, but it's a budget just the same and we need our supporters to help keep the lights on for the upcoming year.
Can we count on you to make a donation to help keep NPI's voice active in the Northwest?
Just click the button above to donate $25 right now, It's that easy. You do not need to sign in to a PayPal, Amazon, or Google account to donate online. You simply need a credit card. (We accept Visa and MasterCard, plus American Express).
Alternatively, if you'd prefer to donate by check, you can mail a contribution to:
Northwest Progressive Institute
Post Office Box 264
Redmond, WA 98073
No amount is too small to make a difference. Any investment you can make will help us continue to build the progressive movement in our region. Please consider making a donation today.
My particular journey from clueless young adult to politically active not-so-young adult boils down to a well-worn aphorisms: "Don't get mad, get even."
When I was younger I was very upset about what conservatives were doing to America. I was disgusted that they were wasting our common wealth by shifting spending from education, research, and infrastructure towards the military. I was mad, but only mad. I felt powerless to do anything about it.
There were no blogs in those days.
As I got older, the itch to do something about it grew stronger, until I was writing letters to congressmen and senators, letters to the editor, and briefly (in the proto-blogging days of the 2004 election) running my own political commentary site.
Then blogging happened. A classic "I wish I'd thought of that!" moment, if ever there was one. I discovered NPI, and in it, a way to finally scratch that itch. For me, the frustration hasn't been my lack of power to personally make laws or pass budgets or whatever. I don't see myself in that way.
What has frustrated me is that I didn't have any mechanism by which to add my ideas and views to the public discourse. When I joined NPI, I felt like at last I had a voice. The Advocate is not the loudest voice in the blogosphere, certainly, but it is a voice. A chance not just to get mad but to "get even."
As my involvement with NPI deepened, I began to see how I could be even more involved through NPI. As NPI's Research Director, I can look at issues in as much depth as I want, think hard about them, and help shape a body of ideas that will serve to advance the progressive cause - both here in the Northwest and nationally - for years to come. That's a rare and precious opportunity for anybody to have, and I'm honored to be able to contribute.
In the end, what the Northwest Progressive Institute means to me is perhaps best summed up by another aphorism: "Be the change you want to see in the world."
The change I want to see in the world is healthy, vigorous public dialogue about the issues of our day. I want that because from it will flow the changes in public policy and personal attitudes that will lead our state, our nation, and our world to a future that is sustainable and equitable for all.
To, as the Preamble to the Constitution puts it, a "more perfect" union, but a union more broadly conceived than our founding fathers dreamed of.
I have to do my part in making that a reality.
If I don't, then honestly, I have no right to complain about anything. NPI gives me a platform from which to speak. The rest is up to me.
NPI can give you a voice, too. This is a volunteer organization. We already fight for a wide range of progressive issues, but odds are good there's something you're passionate about that we just don't have the person-power to tackle.
If you want your own direct, public voice, if you want to be your own change for the world, all you have to do is apply. We're always looking for smart, energetic, and talented individuals to contribute their enthusiasm and unique viewpoint.
Of course, not everyone has the time to do that kind of volunteer work. We understand that. But everyone can help.
We run a tight ship on a small budget, but it's a budget just the same and we need our supporters to help keep the lights on for the upcoming year.
Can we count on you to make a donation to help keep NPI's voice active in the Northwest?
Just click the button above to donate $25 right now, It's that easy. You do not need to sign in to a PayPal, Amazon, or Google account to donate online. You simply need a credit card. (We accept Visa and MasterCard, plus American Express).
Alternatively, if you'd prefer to donate by check, you can mail a contribution to:
Northwest Progressive Institute
Post Office Box 264
Redmond, WA 98073
No amount is too small to make a difference. Any investment you can make will help us continue to build the progressive movement in our region. Please consider making a donation today.
# Posted by Jason Black : 9:35 PM
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