Closing the books (please read)

Hey there, I just want to add one thing that Markos left out of his email on Friday: [Right now, Daily Kos is $88,356 away from our November goal and we're running out of time to close the gap. Can you chip in $5 right now if you haven't already to help us close the books on November?]( [DONATE]( Keeping fighting, Amanda McKay, Daily Kos --------------------------------------------------------------- Friend, I know it's Black Friday and you're probably drowning in emails from retailers with big promotions, so I'll keep this short and let you get back to working your way through those leftovers. I founded Daily Kos 21 (!!) years ago as a personal blog. Having a space to share my thoughts and rants about a corrupt, out-of-control, war-mongering White House was cathartic. George W. Bush was president and Dick Cheney was calling the shots. I thought it would be the worst administration that I'd ever see in my lifetime. Boy, was I wrong. Donald Trump's first administration was a horror show from which we're still recovering, but his second administration will be even worse if we allow him to take back the White House next year. He's openly embracing fascism on the campaign trail, calling people like us “vermin,” and promising violence against his political opponents. Anyone who thinks he's bluffing or that he's too incompetent to pull it off or that someone will magically stop him is forgetting the lessons of the 2016 election and the January 6 attack. It's on all of us to work to stop this madman from returning to power. I didn't realize back when I started Daily Kos that it would grow into the biggest independent, progressive news site on the internet or one of the biggest activism organizations in the country. But that's what it is today—and I didn't do it alone. Daily Kos is what it is today because of you. Small donations from readers and activists like you make up 58% of our income. We literally wouldn't be here without you. Daily Kos isn't immune to the pressures bearing down on the news media, though. Outlets are shrinking and going out of business at an alarming rate. That goes for traditional outlets and new media alike—newspapers, magazines, news sites—no publisher is safe. America is bleeding reporters, editors, fact-checkers, and organizers right when we need them most, when a serial liar and would-be dictator is running for president. [In this political and media environment, Daily Kos is a crucial resource. We have survived the pressures that have gutted the news industry because of the support of readers like you. I am deeply thankful for that support. Now, we need your help to keep going through the 2024 election and keep Trump from returning to power. That's why I am asking you again today: Can you please chip in $5 to help Daily Kos keep fighting?]( [DONATE]( Thank you, Markos Moulitsas, Founder Daily Kos P.S. We work hard to make sure every contribution from our readers is well spent. We work hard to keep costs down and we're so good at it that we run the entire site—the biggest progressive news and activism site on the internet!—with a small staff. We're so good at it that we could run all operations for a year if everyone reading this email chipped in just $41. But not everyone who reads this will give, and not everyone has the means to give. So if you've made it through the Black Friday deals with a few extra bucks in your pocket, [please click here to chip in $5 now](. If you wish to donate by mail instead, please send a check to Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612. Contributions to Daily Kos are not tax deductible. Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Daily Kos, please [click here](.