Vote for me for the DFA's Netroots Nation 2014 Scholarship Competition. I don't know how deserving I am of such an award, but I would definitely use the opportunity to become a better Progressive blogger.
Some of my notable work:
Turning Pennsylvania Blue for Real
The Story's Backwards: Democrats Don't Need Corporate Wing, the Corporate Wing Needs the Democrats
My Love Letter to the Democratic Party: You're a Bunch of LOSERS
TIME triples down on bashing Secular Humanists
Blind Leading the Blind: Liz Cheney Edition
Other Daily Kos Applicants in the competition:
sherman54
zenbassoon
Horace Boothroyd III
ProgToddNorCal
Of course, many more applicants are also well worth voting for. Check them out if you get the chance.
Below is my profile page for the competition.
My political story
My core political values reflect my upbringing in the suburbs of Detroit: strengthening the working class, supporting the public education system, rebuilding our infrastructure, equality in all aspects, and supporting our strong social responsibilities to one another. I have blogged over at Daily Kos for over a year now. In that time, some of the topics I have blogged about include the debt ceiling, the GOP Electoral Vote reapportionment scheme, Obamacare, the 2014 elections, job-creating stimulus programs, and being more inclusive of Atheism within the Democratic Party.
Why I deserve a Netroots Nation Scholarship
As a blogger, I have always had a goal of highlighting and supporting major Democratic efforts, while upholding values such as empathy, educated reasoning, and engaging the entire public. My hope is that I can continue to grow and contribute meaningful substance to the Progressive movement. I intend to use the opportunity Netroots Nation provides to become a better communicator, a more convincing writer, and more effective at conveying Democratic achievements and values.
What first inspired me to get involved
I have been a follower of blogs for almost as long as I have had an internet connection, which has largely shaped how I interact online. It was finally when I found Daily Kos that I found a site that reflected my own Democratic values, while also providing a platform to substantially contribute to the larger online and Progressive community.
The blog post I am most proud of
I wrote a blog post following the Third Way editorial attacking Elizabeth Warren and economic populism. The main point I make is that the Democratic Party does not need the Corporate Wing represented by the Third Way, despite conventional rhetoric. Rather, the Corporate Wing needs the Democratic Party. Ultimately, this branch of the Democratic Party has been allowed to set the agenda of the rest of the Party for far too long, and I argue that this has only hurt the Democratic Party in the long run.
Proudest Blog Url
http://www.dailykos.com/...
More about my political involvement
My activism has primarily been online. I strongly intend to become more active in volunteering for local Democratic campaigns, as Pennsylvania is in desperate need of some strong leadership, and I think there are a lot of local Democrats who demonstrate that leadership. Additionally, I hope to become more active in the Atheist community. I wish to see more inclusion and acceptance of the Atheist movement within the Democratic Party, and toward those ends I have also started a group at Daily Kos called Progressive Atheists.
How I've gotten others involved
In addition to blogging at Daily Kos, I have started two Facebook groups: “Birthers don't deserve to call themselves Americans” and “Straight Men Against Sexism & Homophobia (SMASH)”. I have used these groups to share information and relevant stories on the topics, in a realm where engagement tends to only extend to an image and a few sentences.
Why I think participation in the netroots is important
The overall value in netroots is that it is the best platform to reach the younger generations and get them involved in politics and activism, and it provides the best platform for our young leaders to gain wider recognition by and exposure to the Progressive community, as well as the country at large. Embracing the leaders within America's youth is vital to our nation's-and the Democratic Party's-prosperity, and nothing allows us to do this better than netroots.
My Twitter manifesto on online activism
Online activism is sophisticated, expansively-engaging, groundbreaking, the best at informing, and fun.
If I could design a bumper sticker it would say:
Vote. Your Voice Powers America.
My wild idea for a cool new action
I would start a petition to move all Federal elections to a full two-day weekend.