Four Holiday Gift Ideas for Progressives

If you're a procrastinator like me, then you are frantically scurrying at the last minute to pick up holiday gifts for friends and family. So let me suggest four great gifts for you or any progressives you know - gifts that make great presents and that also help build and support the progressive movement. Here they are in no particular order:

1. A SUBSCRIPTION TO IN THESE TIMES: For more than three decades, In These Times magazine has been a leading independent progressive voice, featuring news, reporting and analysis from a constellation of progressive movement stars. As Cornel West says, "In These Times is the most creative and challenging news magazine of the American Left." A one year subscription to this monthly magazine is just $24.95. Subscribe here.

2. THE UPRISING OR HOSTILE TAKEOVER: Forgive the shameless self-promotion, but I wouldn't be doing my job as a writer if I didn't suggest my books, The Uprising and Hostile Takeover, as solid holiday gifts. The Uprising, just released this summer, looks at the populist uprising on both the right and left that clearly impacted the 2008 campaign and promises to shape our politics in the next months and years. The Rocky Mountain News calls it "the perfect tome for rebels of all persuasions." Hostile Takeover, released in 2006, examines the corporate forces that still have a stranglehold on our government and that threaten to crush this potential era of change. The late great Molly Ivins says the book provides "handy weapons for progressives to fight back." You can order both books at your local bookstore, or online.

3. THE PROGRESSIVE BOOK CLUB: For an ongoing stream of progressive books at discounted prices, join the new Progressive Book Club, or give a gift membership. You can join online here.

4. SALON.COM PREMIUM MEMBERSHIP: Salon is one of the best progressive publications out there and it's premium membership gets you its full content. Get a premium membership here. It's worth it.

In these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever to build and support a strong progressive movement that helps move our country in a different direction. These are four different ways to give gifts and support the movement at the same time. I hope you'll consider them - and pass the ideas on to your friends. Happy holidays!

Comments

[phillygrrl]

Hmm, the title brings to mind any number of "progressive" gifts. A tree from the arbor foundation. Subscription to the Economist. O Magazine. Highlights. Any number of dying newspapers­/magazines­.

[AliMB]

While I am not a progressive (well actually, I have yet to hear a satisfactory definition of the word, or even a consistent one from my self-described progressive friends), allow me to offer another idea: instead of books or online subscriptions to ideologica­lly-friend­ly publications, why not give your progressive friend a book from the different or polar political viewpoint? For example, any of the garden variety conservative books on the NY times bestseller list. The point is not to convince, annoy, or antagonize your friend, but maybe give him/her the opportunity to learn what the other side has to say without feeling bad about wasting money. Your friend may surprisingly come away with a better understanding of a particular issue, or at the very least engage in type of inner dialogue that will help him understand his opposition and refine his/her position. Because reading something different never hurt anyone.

[sunny123]

Thank you for the great ideas. As usual, I haven't bought anything yet. I will order the subscriptions and will order your books. They sound like the perfect solution to the family gift needs. Thank you thank you and Merry Christmas.