About Us
You can subscribe to our stories by email.
Merge Left is an online home for the vibrant community that built up over years at the now defunct site, Open Left. We tend to be passionate about ideas and actions, supporting solutions that help as many people as possible make the most of their lives. Sadly that doesn’t describe the US today, or in the past few decades, where a few people grow extraordinarily wealthy while the middle class deflates more and more, with fewer opportunities to earn a living wage. And the courts, roads, bridges, rail, educational system, police, fire, and other critical infrastructure that make any wealth possible remain starved for funds.
You’re welcome to join us if you want to help change the status quo (and even if you don’t and you’re willing to debate). Hopefully together we can make a difference and grow and learn together. Be prepared with facts, ideas, opinions, and passion to debate your points. Oh, and don’t forget your sense of humor. This has been a great community and should continue to be in its new reincarnation as Merge Left.
Kinds of Content
If you decide to join us, and write posts, there are several kinds of content you can publish based on your interests:
Quick Hits are news items and short commentary from you about news items you want to share with the community to provoke discussion. Typically Quick Hits have a link to the original source, an excerpt that illustrates what you believe are the key points, and your brief responses.
Diaries are more thought out than Quick Hits, although they can include one or more excerpts. A great diary explores an issue from multiple viewpoints while clearly expressing the opinions and ideas of the writer.
Actions are items that the community can act on and participate in. As with Quick Hits, they usually include a link to the original source, one or more excerpts, and your response.
In all cases, including writing your comments, we encourage you to be concise, on point, and engaging. Linking to other sources to clarify your comment also is appreciated, when that works. Share with us who you are and what you believe in.