End of Year Contributions

Many people choose to contribute money to good causes at the end of the year, especially those causes which are tax deductible. Our house doesn't work that way. We give throughout the year. But, here is my list of 20 causes to which I think you should consider giving--now, and throughout 2008.

Although not tax deductible, consider contributing to the campaigns of progressive political candidates. Until we can get publicly financed campaign laws, campaigns will cost money. If ordinary people do not contribute in small amounts, candidates will have to raise money from big-monied special interests. If you really want to curb the power of lobbies and money in government, you'll have to give some money now to progressive, grassroots campaigns. Here in Kentucky, I hope you'll think first of Andrew Horne's campaign for the U.S. Senate. Contribute as well to the reelection effort of Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY). When a national political office changes parties (e.g., the 3rd District of Kentucky's change from Anne Northup (R-KY) and the GOP to Yarmuth (D-KY) ), it is most vulnerable to changing back to the previous party with the freshman office holder's first reelection campaign. Yarmuth has been voted an outstanding new member and not only the 3rd District, but all of Kentucky can be proud of the work he has done these two years. So, give him some $, to help him keep his seat!

Outside of Kentucky, I hope you contribute to progressive candidates like Rick Noriega (D-TX), Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer (D-MN) (I know that celebrity Al Franken (D-MN) is the DNC favorite for the MN primary--and all the MN Democrats running are excellent folks--but I honestly think Nelson-Pallmeyer would make the best Senator.), Andrew Rice (D-OK), Kay Hagan (D-NC), Vivien Figures (D-AL) (who will need all the help she can get!), Rocky Caldero (D-AK), Rand Knight (D-GA), Larry LaRocco (D-ID), or Tom Allen (D-ME)--each of whom is running a grassroots Senate campaign against large odds and well-funded opponents.

I am not endorsing a particular presidential candidate (partly because I expect the nominee to be chosen by the time Kentucky's May primary rolls around), but with the Iowa caucuses a week away and the New Hampshire primary only 5 days later, the candidate of your choice could use money right now for last minute commercials, etc. I have contributed to the campaign of Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) because his values and positions are closes to my own. I don't expect him to have much chance to win the nomination or the presidency, but if he can garner enough delegates, he might be able to seriously influence the 2008 Democratic platform. That's my hope and I find it worth the occasional $10 or $20 I have to send him. I split my other presidential campaign contributions between fmr. Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), both of whom I like for different reasons--and either of whom I think would make a good president.

If you want healthy, fair, free elections and a well-informed electorate, consider the good folks at Project Vote Smart.

If you are a progressive, you should really have your long-distance carrier as Working Assets and your mobile phone with Credo, a Working Assets subsidiary. This company was founded (1985) with the purpose of using some of its profits each year to fundraise for progressive causes: human rights and civil liberties, the environment, women's rights, the environment, etc. They have given away over $50 million to date and their customers get to help pick the organizations receiving the money. Change over today.

I contribute to the work of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. It will take making this a religious, spiritual, and moral issue to reverse the acceptance which torture has gained in the U.S. since 9/11--partly because of Busch & Co.'s actions and propaganda (now echoed by ALL of the GOP presidential candidates except for John McCain and longshot libertarian Ron Paul0, but also because of the propaganda of such shows as 24, and The Unit. Still, if you are not person of any particular faith, and still want to contribute to work being done to outlaw torture (again) in this country, consider The Constitution Project, The Center for Constitutional Rights, or the No 2 Torture Campaign.

For human rights broadly construed, I contribute to the work of Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. They have similar mandates, but use different methods in ways that complement each other.

Combatting hunger and poverty takes a combination of approaches. I recommend Bread for the World, Habitat for Humanity, Oxfam, and, working for fair trade rather than free trade, Equal Exchange. I also always make the work of the Children's Defense Fund a priority. These are the people who REALLY work to leave no child behind!

For U.S. civil liberties concerns, I contribute to the work of the American Civil Liberties Union. Seldom in our history has the ACLU's work been more necessary. If you aren't a member, join today. If we ever get our Constitution back, much of the work will have been done by attorneys working for the ACLU.

On environmental matters, I don't waste my money on the well-healed, but very cautious Sierra Club, nor the publicity-seeking Greenpeace. I look for fighters, but smart fighters. For my money, there are 3 eco-groups that do incredible service: The Natural Resources Defense Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Environmental Defense.

In terms of grassroots peacemaking, I usually contribute to faith-based efforts such as the Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, and Christian Peacemaker Teams. But for secular efforts, I have 2 recommendations of exceptional note: Peace Action and the War Resisters' League. Since I come from a military family and was myself in the army before becoming a conscientious objector, I also have a soft spot for wonderful folks at Veterans for Peace. And since they supplied me with a free lawyer for my CO discharge (when they were known as the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors), I also can never fail to mention the great folks at the Center for Conscience and War.

This hardly exhausts the list of groups worthy to receive your money--not by a long shot. But these are a few of the groups who get my money. Feel free to add your own candidates and include web addresses.

Let us pray (and WORK) for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable new year.