Even here I am not ashamed to be a NRA member. Heaven knows, I’ve gotten some passionate flaming here.
However, as I have done in years past, I just donated the equivalent of a year’s dues in the NRA to the Daily Kos. That’s $40.00.
Why? Because it’s important. Especially now, when Americans are avoiding and rejecting any news that does not conform to their opinions.
It can be hard to avoid the echo chamber but it is vital. People are going to disagree: that’s probably been true since there were people. It’s certainly true of our evolutionary ancestors. But listening to others’ points of view is the only way we are going to be aware of them. It’s also the only way to have any hope of solving the problems that confront us.
I am not being critical of the Daily Kos. Since I am a NRA member and a gun owner, people make assumptions about my politics and preferences. Being associated with the Daily Kos means other people make assumptions. Bad idea.
I favor and support many progressive ideas. Equal rights under the law, including all racial, ethnic, religious and sexual preferences. The right of any woman to make her own reproductive choices — I am old enough to remember the days before Roe v. Wade. Back in 2016, I was a Bernie Sanders supporter and contributed to his campaign several times.
There are also some conservative ideas I like, such as Obamacare. Don’t forget the Affordable Healthcare Act was based on an idea first presented by the very conservative Heritage Foundation and championed by Newt Gingrich.
This is why the Daily Kos is important. It not only keeps me in touch with the progressive movement, it challenges me. It makes me look at my own cherished beliefs and preferences. And sometimes if gives me an opportunity to challenge others (and endure the outrage of scorched cats).
That’s why the Daily Kos is also important to you. And why it’s important to keep it going.
We may not all agree on an agenda but I think we can all agree the Daily Kos is worth a donation.
Postscript: <Sigh> Having reviewed all the comments made so far, I guess I need to add a clarification.
If you actually read this blog entry, you will note that at no time did I urge anyone to support the NRA, like the NRA, become a gun owner or like guns.
Like the militia clause in the Second Amendment, the opening is a clarification of my purpose and does not restrict the operative portion of the article.
My piece was about why it is important to support the Daily Kos and why even a gun owner might think it worthwhile to make a contribution to the effort.
I honestly don’t care whether you like guns. I honestly don’t care whether you like the NRA or support the Second Amendment.
I do care that the Daily Kos is able to keep the lights on. And if an apostate like me can chip in, I would imagine most people who read this could do the same.