Cyber Monday: Howard Dean, Ed Asner & You

Drinking Liberally Shot of Truth
by Justin Krebs

Happy Cyber Monday -- that's right, the newly-minted term for the big post-Thanksgiving day of online holiday purchases. While we often dedicate our column to cool organizations -- from Trick-or-Vote to CREDO -- that build social networks through activity...we thought if ever there would be a day to talk about building social community through consumerism, it would be today.

So if you're mind is still wandering from your long weekend off, or if you've started surfing for stocking stuffers, we just have to suggest: The Liberal Card -- promoting liberal pride, liberal community and liberal discounts.

Who wouldn't want to open slender package beneath the tree, beside the menorah, or after the Festivus gathering, and find an attractive, personalized wallet card that declares the bearer a "Card Carrying Liberal" this season?

Your co-workers would enjoy it. Your family would boast it proudly in their wallets. And how do I know? Because even Howard Dean is proud of it (and don't get me started on Ed Asner! Adorable photo below the fold...).

Look how happy he is! Oh, to be clear -- that poster is not the actual Liberal Card. The card is small and fits in your pocket. But it comes in a clever poster packaging that unfolds to become your banner of Liberal Pride.

It's a good time to be a Liberal. And as many claim this is a center-right country, let's remind them that Liberals are loud and proud. Why be afraid to show it? There are a few other folks who are proud to be liberals too: progressive businesses that offer discounts to card-holders.

Recently Liberal Card members were invited for free to an advance screening of Milk. The movie was awesome; now people will pay $10 to see it; and if you were a Card-Carrying Liberal, you now have a smile on your face..

There's more: you get discounts at the online stores of an environmentally-conscious gift shop, a progressive publishing house, a hip tee-shirt producer...even at the Drinking Liberally store. You get bonuses with your Liberal Card when you buy DL schwag. It just keeps giving.

Or, say for example that you live in New York. You go to a new downtown music venue for your free drink in the afternoon, and stay for the show on a members-only ticket. Or you head to an evening play, where your card gets you discount tickets. You end up at a Hell's Kitchen dive for another free drink. That's a great day (maybe even a great date!) -- and it's recession-proof.

But don't take my word for it that The Liberal Card will make you happy. Just look at this face...and tell me you don't see genuine joy.

That's right. Ed Asner has his Liberal Card. Why don't you?