A Cottage Industry of Progressivism

Political involvement is not a zero-sum game.

That was clear as 10 organizations came together last night at The Tank for a free liberal mixer beneath the open sky. Over 200 attendees -- many of them belonging to one social-political progressive group or another (but just as many of them free radicals floating through the liberal atmosphere) -- energized each other through their innovative ideas, their infectious idealism and, well, their good company.

While many of us had events to promote and volunteer opportunities to expand, it was really the spread of friendship that made the evening a success. Many of these groups, from Music for America, which uses concerts to promote progressive causes, to Run Against Bush, which jogs as a team each week to raise money for swing states, to Billionaires for Bush, whose moneyed members fitted in finery promoted next Saturday's "Billionaires Ball," rely on the common bonds of their social networks to create the critical mass for political action.

They aren't out to sign up members. Everyone is out to make friends.

As the old song says, "Make new friends and keep the old." You can also join new social-political circles and keep the old. It's not a choice between phonebanking on Tuesday night, attending a drinking club on Thursday and enjoying a small-level fundraiser on Saturday. If the liberal community overlaps with your friendship community, you may do all of these. Or you may meet people at one who you bring to the next.

The more these organizations and others like them collaborate and feed each other ideas, opportunities and members, the more everyone wins. It's a liberal approach to membership and communication that reflects the inclusivity and social goals of our liberal agenda.