How to Change the World Without Leaving Your Couch

Hello my couch-dwelling, web-surfing, "inside kid" friends! Maybe you have a time-consuming, high-pressure job, maybe this is your last year of school, maybe you're raising some kids, or maybe you're just a lazy ass who prefers WB teen dramas and video games to political participation. In any event, I'm here to tell you - you're not off the hook! I've got solutions for those of you I've termed "The Lazy Asstivist".

That's right, I realize that even the lazy asses amongst us want to change the world, so here's a few ways to make a difference without getting off your bum. All these require is an internet connection, an email address, and less than ten minutes a day of your time. Hey, you spend ten minutes a day channel-surfing, so this should be a piece of cake!

The most basic act of political participation, besides voting, is contacting your elected officials and letting them know your feelings on issues they make decisions on. The idea is that, as your representatives, they'll listen to your input and vote the way that represents your interests. Long ago this was done with pen and paper and pigeon carriers, but due to the wonderful progress we've made in technology, now any fool with an internet connection can rant and rave their thoughts to the whole world. Many organizations have harnessed the power of the internet to create simple "Action Alerts" for their members. They send an email, you read it and click on the link, which takes you to a website with a pre-written letter on the issue at hand - all you do is enter your name and address, maybe add a few additional comments and press send. Wha-la - you've participated in politics without getting dressed or leaving your computer chair. Isn't technology wonderful?

Here's a few of my favorite ways to take action from the comfort of my own home.

Move On

http://www.moveon.org