July 1, 2005

Dear Friend of Common Dreams,

I think you will agree that the challenges we face today are pretty staggering.

On too many fronts we are going backwards. Global warming. Pre-emptive wars. The widening gap between the rich and poor. Reversing nuclear weapon bans. Rolling back of environmental laws. Civil liberties abandoned.

And when we needed our media - more than ever - to tell us the truth, they were gone. Years of corporate buyouts and consolidation had created a monolithic, profit-driven media empire. When giant arms merchants own our TV networks is it any wonder that they produce 24/7 war cheerleading masquerading as news? When corporate headquarters is focused only on the next quarter's profit report is it any wonder that 'all-scandals, all-the-time infotainment' has replaced real journalism?

I believe the internet has matured just in time to provide the progressive community with the tool - and a much-needed new optimism - so that we can begin to stand up to the right-wing, corporate interests that have taken control of our democracy.

Common Dreams is committed to doing our part to keep moving forward.

But now, more than ever, Common Dreams needs your help.

Our readership has continued to soar - with well over 5 million 'unique' readers each month.

We are proud of what we've accomplished over the past nine years on a shoestring budget, a small staff and an amazing network of volunteers. But our less-than-aggressive fundraising hasn't kept pace with our rising overhead. We've realized that we need to ask our friends and readers for help more frequently. We don't ask for your help often but can we count on your help now?

We need to raise at least $50,000 in July to make it through the summer. Can we count on your help?

Whatever amount you can afford would help us a lot.

You can donate online right now here. Or, you can print our form and mail it back to us with a check here.

Thanks so much. We couldn't do it without you.

Peace,

Craig Brown
Editor
CommonDreams.org

p.s.
Our readers are our only source of funding. We need more of you to pitch in. Thanks!