Ranting on the internet, or reading those who do, is a noble way to spend one's time to be sure. However, there are other things one can do. For those whose jobs haven't yet been Bushed and who have a few extra bucks sitting around, and after you have of course made the all-important contribution to the Eschaton Leisure Fund, I highly recommend sending them to the following candidates.
First, Paul Wellstone. He's the most progressive Senator there is. I actually don't agree with Wellstone sometimes -- I'm not as "Lefty" as some might think -- but I do think that there is a tremendous lack of political balance, particularly in the Senate. A group of mostly centrist Democrats compromising with a bunch of mostly right wing Republics shifts the inevitably compromise somewhere to the right of Jack Kemp. With the Broders of the world endlessly approving of compromise as an end in itself, we need a few more progressive voices to help shift the political center back where it should belong. Wellstone's facing a tough fight which isn't being helped by McGaa, the Green Party's latest temper tantrum. So, head over to his site and throw him some change if you've got it.
There are worse Republicans than Susan Collins, but there's no reason to settle for that. Chellie Pingree isn't yet a household name, but with a little luck and a little help she just might manage to unseat Collins. Winning tough incumbent races isn't enough -- this 50-1-49 split in the Senate gives the Democrats far less control of committees than the Republics had before the Jeffords switch. Combined with their tendency to play nice and not pull a Helms regularly, Dems need more solid control. Any battle against an incumbent Senator is difficult, and while Collins isn't the worst Republican, Democrats are unlikely to unseat most of those. Check out her site and if you like what you see throw her a nickle or two.
And, if money ain't your bag baby, call your local candidate's campaign headquarters and ask to volunteer. Don't get upset if they don't draft you right away, or forget to call you back -- new candidates who are going against incumbents in particular often don't have any kind of organization in place. They may be running for office while still working their day job and one shouldn't take it as a personal slight if the flunky running the phones when you call isn't as on the ball as he/she should be. Call back. Show up at the headquarters. Whatever it takes. They probably need help -- they may just not have enough help to organize it.
