The Change Agent

Q. Like the Tea Partiers teaming up with leftists?

A. Many Tea Partiers are angry that the major banks have continued what they consider greedy and reckless behaviors after being bailed out by the public. Many who’d consider themselves more liberal have the same complaint. So there’s common ground. The Christian Coalition, a very conservative group, teamed up with the major liberal group MoveOn to help save internet neutrality. The Christian Coalition is now teaming up with the National Wildlife Federation—whose members include many conservative hunters and fishermen—to work on climate change. One of the major voices for alternative energy is former CIA head James Woolsey, who was very much allied with the Bush administration on issues like Iraq. You have to cross political lines whenever you can.

Q. Do you ever feel deeply discouraged?

A. Yes. I will be involved in something, and whatever I’m involved in will, in the short term, lose. And I’ll be upset and think, “This is bad for our country.” But I’ll take a walk and feel better. Afterward, I’ll come back and think, “It’s true this didn’t succeed, but if we tried something different …”

Q. What advice do you have for people trying to get off the couch and get started?

A. Jump in where your heart calls you most. Health care and climate change need attention. Darfur and downtown Detroit need attention. And rural Pennsylvania and Alabama. Go where your voice really matters. But start—and see where it leads you.

Nelson Mandela uses the phrase “the multiplication of courage.” That’s what we need: Speaking a difficult truth; talking to someone who might disagree with you; working across political lines. There’s cynicism and fear. But we still have the chance to move forward. It really does depend on ordinary citizens to act.

Karen Lange is a writer from Takoma Park, Md.