Dear Progressive reader,
 
I am going to cut to the chase—I am deeply worried about the future of our democracy, and I have a feeling that you are, too. 
 
The U.S. political system is broken, and the consequences of this collapse are plain for all the world to see. January 6 wasn’t just a flashpoint; it was the extreme right’s call to arms. Trump’s rise to power was not an anomaly; he was enabled by the longstanding imbalance in our structures of power. 
 
Former President Jimmy Carter wrote in a recent New York Times guest essay that “Our great nation now teeters on the brink of a widening abyss. Without immediate action, we are at genuine risk of civil conflict and losing our precious democracy. Americans must set aside differences and work together before it is too late.”
 
My role as director of development for The Progressive is to connect readers who share similar values with one another and, in doing so, help broaden the reach of this historic and much needed publication. Why? Because a free and independent press is an essential component of healthy democracy. 
 
The Progressive functions as a watchdog that investigates and reports on government and corporate misconduct. It also serves as a platform to amplify voices of dissent, many of which are under-represented in the mainstream.
 
But for our small staff of only six employees and one or two interns, keeping our magazine, website, and educational programs relevant and hard-hitting requires the support of thousands of informed and motivated people like you. One of our primary sources of financial support comes through the many small monthly donations from our sustaining members. You truly make this work possible!