I have been urging letter writing/phone calls on Iraq and impeachment. This is still, long term, the best way of influencing government AND corporations: personal calls and letter writing, not the form letters you can just click a button to send.

Letters to the editor sometimes are even more effective than lobbying Congress. Congress gets its pulse of public opinion from the media. That may not be logical, but often it is true. The more letters and opnion pieces in the media, the better.

I also urge donating to those Congressional Reps who HAVE been taking solidly progressive stands, particularly vulnerable freshmen who have been in many ways leading the changes in Congress. If taking the strong progressive stand leads to good fundraising numbers, it sends a very clear message. On the other hand, when DCCC or DSCC calls, I tell them I am not donating except specifically to those people who have taken strong stands against IRaq and for impeachment.

And, of course, there is just plain talking with our friends, family and co-workers about our opinions. Liberals have been too shy about being liberal. Given the fact that liberalism has been behind every moment of progress in our nation's history, from independence to ending slavery to civil rights, etc, we should be proud to be liberals and progressives.

Sometimes it is a long slog to progress. People want instant solutions and they will seldom get them. I am in it for the long haul, of course.