Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with liberal

The career change I need

ignignokt — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:37:53 -0800

Do any progressive organizations need full-time programmers? I just got done working as a data fellow for the Obama campaign. It was only three weeks, but I found it to be the most satisfying work I've done in about three years. It certainly wasn't the most sophisticated software engineering I've ever done - it was mostly ad hoc scripts in Perl, Greasemonkey, PHP, and SQL - but I knew that what I was doing had an effect on something I cared about.

Now, it's time for me to think about getting a regular job in the next month or so. Before I was thinking of getting out of programming, as I was getting less interested in technology for technology's sake, but now I'm thinking I'd like to work for a cause I care about with the skills I've built up over the last decade. Unfortunately, I don't really know how to find a job like that.

The causes I feel the most passionate about are civil rights and voter protection, but I'm generally on the liberal side of most issues, and it's certainly possible that some other cause could fire me up. Does anyone know where I should look? Or is this not a feasible thing to be looking for? The last couple of hours of Googling have been unsuccessful.

Christianity and Liberalism

snap_dragon — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:55:36 -0800

Can a person be an evangelical Christian and still be a political liberal? This may sound like a simple question but I am open to any and all answers...I find my political views excepting a very few far right beliefs all fall far left....do I have my ducks in a row or do these two worlds necessarily conflict....and yes, I am voting for Obama.

Making money in politics (without being corrupt)

DetonatedManiac — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:30:59 -0800

Is it possible to make a decent, relatively steady living in (liberal to center left) politics in Raleigh NC? If so what job(s) should I start looking for? I have been employed as a paid staffer on a Congressional Campaign and a volunteer, and I have also been a delegate to the DNC in Boston (so technically held an elected office :) ). I know what phone banking is like and door to door sales (political and commercial). But I know that all of these are low level and ephemeral jobs which is why I didn't pursue politics as a career after College.

Now I am re-thinking. I really enjoy politics but I don't know where, or if, I can get a "reliable" job that pays the rent even in non-election years. Ideally it would be a "normal" 9-5 office job, but realistically I'll take whatever I can get. It MUST NOT be primarily commission driven and it also must have some opportunity for advancement.

I currently live in Raleigh NC and while in the long term I have no problem moving to DC, right now I have to settle for my State's Capitol.

I am especially interested in the Environment and Anti-Cooperate/Pro-Consumer causes, but am interested in almost all left of center causes.

I imagine there must be something like lobbying or congressional aide that intersects more with the day to day running of government and not just elections.... But what are these jobs and How do I go about getting them?

Thanks Hive Mind!

(Note: my former political activity was all in Colorado, where I went to school, not here in NC. So any contacts in the NC Dem Party establishment are also appreciated)

What stereotypes do Americans have of Massachusetts and New England?

gregb1007 — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:49:43 -0800

What stereotypes do Americans have of Massachusetts and New England? Ever since hearing President Bush's derisive reference to John Kerry as a "Massachusetts" liberal, I've asked myself whether Americans who live far from the bay state have negative stereotypes of Mass (and New England) in general. I've also had some foreigners tell me that they think that Mass is overrun with rich wasps. (That impression apparently derived from viewing law sitcoms.) Anyhow, my question is: What stereotypes, if any, do Americans have of Mass?

suggest resources for budding liberal

chicainthecity — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:09:14 -0800

A student of mine (college junior) asked me to give him a list of progressively-oriented blogs, films, and websites. I have a few ideas for him, but would like to solicit the hive mind for more.

Help me get my head on straight about a political idea

snsranch — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:55:04 -0800

How can a person who doesn't even have a blog start a meme like thing, a cultural change or influence based on word play? I'm really tired of the use of the word "liberal", "lib" etc. So my propagandist idea is to somehow replace it with "progressive" or anything that doesn't connote mediocrity, weakness and lack of focus.

It's a long shot, and no I'm not exactly pro-Democrat, but it's worth a try.

(sorry-kinda USian context)

Please please please do not go

cooker girl — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:21:37 -0800

Where should my liberal South African friend move? My bias: I don't want her to go! So my friend and her husband are facing the possibility of relocating to Atlanta (or the suburbs). The husband is a doctor and is about to be offered a plum job with the potential for more money. Problems: (1) She's really happy here. Moving to the states from SA was one of the most difficult things she's ever done and they've relocated a lot since coming here. She feels like she finally has her life under control and is satisfied with nearly every aspect of her life. (2a) Two of her three children have fairly severe ADHD and she's found really great doctors and would have to start from scratch (2b) and likewise with schools. Both boys are on intervention plans and starting over with a new district/principal/teachers is incredibly daunting to her. (3) While we live in a red state, we're in a moderately liberal area. She's worried that Atlanta would be a huge step backward in terms of political leanings. (4) Moving from SA to the US was a culture shock, moving from the East Coast to this red state was a culture shock, and she's not sure if she's up to moving South. (5) She is very apprehensive about uprooting the kids. The three of them are very well-adjusted here.

Pros: (1) The potential for a huge job satisfaction shift for her husband. She wants to be supportive, of course, but not necessarily at the expense of the happiness of the family unit. (2) The potential for more money. She doesn't so much care about stuff, but he isn't really making what he's worth right now.

Need: Advice on liberal-leaning, foreigner-accepting areas in or around Atlanta that have great public schools, lots of ADHD support (good doctors, I suppose), and very few social-climbing people who all have to have the "right" cars, homes, clothes, etc.

I don't want them to move. I really like the family as a whole (as do my husband and kids) and it's hard enough to find like-minded people here; it sucks when they move away. However, I'm trying to be a good friend. Help me, hivemind!

Liberal/Lefty/Progressive Blogs that might help a small non-profit raise some cash?

anastasiav — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 20:32:33 -0800

The social justice non-profit I work for is currently participating in a contest run by Six Degrees. Basically, if we are one of the six non-profits that have the largest unique number of on-line donations (given to our organization through a specific link) we'll get grant that doubles the money we raised, up to $10,000. (In other words, we need to have the most givers, not raise the most cash.) Can you suggest any socially progressive/liberal/lefty blogs (along the lines of DailyKos or Turn Maine Blue) with decent readerships that might be willing to plug our group and help us gather donations? The contest ends on Sunday at 11:59 pm, and although we've pushed hard via emails, etc. with our own contacts and member base (we're currently in the top ten), we need to expand our reach quickly if we're going to end up in the top six.

We're not in kansas anymore...

craven_morhead — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 10:19:05 -0800

Liberal moving to Colorado Springs for the summer. Please Advise. I took a job as a judicial clerk for the summer in Colorado Springs. I'm liberal, it's not. I bike everywhere, whitewater kayak, climb, etc. Any suggestions on how to meet like-minded people and flourish in what I gather to be a somewhat oppressive, fundamentalist city?

Where we should move?

bydar — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 12:59:04 -0800

Looking for suggestions to help us decide where to move. My wife, daughter (2yrs old) and I presently live in Atlanta, GA. We are interesting in moving and were interested in getting some opinions. I'm 41 yrs old and she's 38. She's an editor/writer and I have worked in the business end of the entertainment industry for the past eight years. Here are our requirements and narrowed list of places that seem close to what we want (excluding leaving N. America, which could be an option): Somewhere with natural beauty (Having visited New Zealand, that would be the benchmark of natural baeuty!) Liberal Ideally, walkable Close to cultural activity 4 seasons (Atlanta only has Spring and Summer due to global warming!) Job opportunities Somewhat affordable Some of the places I've visited (14 years ago) and on the list are Portland OR, Seattle, Vancouver/Victoria BC I heard good things about but have not visited: Denver, Boulder CO Northern CA (I was born in San Francisco, but way out of $ range) Some NE cities a possibility So basically besides Colorado, the pacific NW or NE coast are in play..now need to narrow down. Although I have work experience in talent agencies L.A. is not an option...Too superficial. Thanks

grants for liberals?

delmoi — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 07:42:35 -0800

I have some ideas about creating a sort of web site or "netroots" organization around promoting progressive, liberal, and anti-authoritarian ideas, as opposed to a lot of what I see online which mostly concerns itself with the short term goal of getting democrats elected -- not that that's not important, but I don't see much focus on long term strategy and ideas. Anyway I'm wondering if there are any grants I can apply for to help get started. I have a good idea how I might want to proceed. Basically a blog or community site to start, and eventually creating sort of a transparent system for promoting and refining ideas democratically, and funding politicians who subscribe to them, and it would all be facilitated by some cool social networking software.

Anyway, it seems like there might be some groups interested in helping to create this sort of thing, and I was wondering if anyone knew of any places I might be able to apply for grants to help get started and initially promote the site.

pirg.org legit?

pissfactory — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 11:54:45 -0800

Know anything about jobs with pirg.org? My girlfriend was looking at a fellow job with the group PIRG (www.pirg.org) specifically: http://columbus.craigslist.org/npo/183126484.html and I was wondering if this group is lefit, what anyone knows about it, and if their jobs are cold calling or petition signing or something. I researched it on google, but couldn't find any human stories about expereicens with them. Any info much appreciated.

Music for those Goddamn Liberals?

jdroth — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:33:12 -0800

I'm looking for songs that you associate with Liberal ideals. (Or "progressive" ideals, if you prefer.) Examples: "Streets of Philadelphia" by Bruce Springsteen, "If It Were Up to Me" by Cheryl Wheeler, "I'm Not the Man" by Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs, "War" by Edwin Starr, etc. I'd prefer the songs weren't blatantly "Republicans suck and Bush is mean" (though "When the President Talks to God" is a fine song); I'm looking more for songs about social activism and progressive ideals, about the things that Liberals typically hold important. (Songs about the general state of the world are fine, too: "Ball of Confusion", etc.)

"Progressive" as opposed to "liberal"

alumshubby — Sat, 28 May 2005 05:51:13 -0800

This post had me wondering: Is there a difference between progressive and liberal? Is it a difference in kind, in degree, or some of each? Is it a case of using one word because the opposition uses the other perjoratively? Started to ask this in that thread, then realized it would derail the discussion...

What makes you flip political allegiences?

rooftop secrets — Sun, 06 Mar 2005 17:48:12 -0800

What makes you switch sides? There's the old saying that if you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, and if you're not a conservative by 60 you have no money/brain... but what events actually make people change? I'm pretty liberal myself and don't really see myself changing, but obviously people do. What event made you change, from one perspective to the other?

Unbiased political writing?

grumblebee — Wed, 03 Nov 2004 11:01:18 -0800

Now that the election is over, I'd like to ask a question about preparing for the next one. I'm still struggling with being (or not being) a political person. My problem is that I can't stand us-vs-them mentality. If a political discussion veers into "those insane democrats" or "those horrible republicans," by brain turns off. I know some will disagree, but I think there are very few complex issues that are black & white. So it's hard for me to believe that one party is right and the other is wrong. But most commentators seem to be "liberals" or "conservatives." I know I'm supposed to listen to them both and then make my own informed decision. But I'd love to find some writers (or speakers) who are deeply independent. I want to read columns by someone who regularly says, "the democrats are right about X and wrong about Y, whereas the republicans are right about A but wrong about B." And it would help if this person (people?) is a good writer, smart and knowlegeable about history. Where do you find the writers who are interested in facts -- not sides?

Did George W. Bush Actually Ever SAY That Our Mission Was Accomplished?

anastasiav — Thu, 30 Sep 2004 05:41:40 -0800

Debating politics with a (conservative) friend last night, we got to talking about the whole "mission acomplished" thing. He has challenged me to come up with a single quote where Bush says anything similar to "Our mission in Iraq has been accomplished" (as opposed to just standing in front of a sign that says it). Can anyone provide such a quote, with a link to back it up?

Southern Alberta: Am I throwing my vote away by voting NDP?

Quartermass — Mon, 28 Jun 2004 06:38:22 -0800

It's election day here in Canada, and I have still not made my mind up on who I am going to vote for. I am in Southern Alberta, so it is pretty much decided who is going to win here (last poll had the local Conservatives at 60%), Am I throwing my vote away by voting NDP? Or should I vote "strategically" with the second place party (the Liberal party, which I am not a huge fan of - mainly because of Paul Martin), as an "anyone but conservative" vote?