Uppity Wisconsin

Progressives have a hard slog ahead of them. The election is coming up, and will bring with it not only a lot of very important candidate choices, but also state-wide referenda of great importance. It's time we stop acting like we're a whole log of different totally self-interested one-issue groups, and start to act like we're all in this together and need to help each other out toward a common goal of improving life in Wisconsin and the world.

This is the reason I started this web site - to provide a big umbrella for different progressive groups in the state that want to work together. But I don't think that's nearly enough.

To that end, I'd like to propose that we start a coalition of progressive webmasters and bloggers in Wisconsin. We could share resources. We could share ideas. We could work together to fight the incredible backsliding into the 19th century that is happening in Wisconsin and the country. I have a few ideas, some of which I'll bring up here. I'd love to know if anyone else has any other ideas on how we could work together. The right wing-nut people are working together a lot more effectively than we do (see Badger Blogger Alliance ). They work together. They have picnics and have fun. Don't see why we can't do the same. Besides, everyone knows that Progressives are MUCH more fun at parties anyhow!

I'm thinking we could do things like:

1. A Wisconsin Progressive web site banner exchange - we already have an ad server here - we could share it.
2. Sharing promotional resources- for example, I've thought it would be great if some of us could get together to mutually promote our sites and progressive politics at events, etc.
3. Build a directory - by the way - PLEASE add your progressive web site to this site - just click on the Submit Link thingy at the top of the page.
   
4. Start a Wisconsin Progressive web ring
5. Start a Wisconsin Progressive blog carnival
6. We might be able to work out a deal to save some money - for example, my consulting company would gladly give a discount on web hosting to members. I'm sure that as a group we could wangle some other stuff.
   
7. Wouldn't it be fun to share some content in an organized fashion? For example, I'd really like to run political cartoons. Maybe we could share our strengths.
8. A Progressive Web Site Assocation booth at Fighting Bob Fest in September. I'm reserving a booth for us - please let me know if your group would like to participate either by helping at the booth or by being included in the information.
   
9. I'm sure there's more.