Lone Star Democracy Builders Association

The summer has been busy for the Texas Progressive Political Blog Directory, which really needs a shorter name! First a full housecleaning of the old list. Then updates from Vince at Capitol Annex, who had prepared a handout for the Convention in June, plus updates on candidates' blogs, quite a few citizen blogs, and of course the Burkablog. Even the Mark Strama Campaign Academy has a blog. My poor typing fingers didn't know what I had signed them up for!

I enjoy seeing how many organizations - both formal and informal - are starting to use blogs to communicate. Check out our list of progressive organization blogs, especially the Texas NOW Blog (yeah, I helped build it, but that doesn't mean it's not awesome), the ACLU's Liberty Blog, and the Latinos for Texas Blog.

Near and dear to my heart are two new websites, one with blog and one without.

TrueBlueAction.com has a TrueBlueAction blog. In its own words:

TrueBlueAction.com is the website of True Blue Action PAC, a Texas General Purpose political action committee. This PAC is dedicated to building and making accessible tools for activists and candidates and campaigns. The PAC's mission is to fund and maintain the development of tools and the data needed for them to be functional.

At the bottom of the front page are survey forms so you can send in ideas for new tools and any existing tools you've found helpful. If you have any input, fill out those forms or comment on the blog.

The newly launched TrueBlueTravis site is the home of the coordinated campaign. I am quite impressed. It's easy to see what they do and how you can help. GlennM always wants to see what organizations are doing with his donations. Here we can also see the power of our time:

If you were to learn that the voters at 4455 Democrat Blvd always vote a straight Democratic ballot, or that the folks at 6666 Republican Street always vote a straight Republican ballot, our candidates would be saving on average $10 for that household’s mail and phone calls. Every household you ID saves us money and is like making a $10 donation to our candidates. Ten ID’s and you’ve “donated” $100 in savings. A hundred ID’s and you’ve “saved” $1000.

So go help!