What Comes Next?

		Dear Member of the Nation Community, A week ago I had one of the most moving experiences in my twelve years as The Nation’s editor. One hundred of you took an hour out of your day to join Free Press co-founders John Nichols and Bob McChesney, The Nation President Teresa Stack, and me on a conference call to discuss "The Great Postal Crisis of 2007" - a $500,000 postage bill, courtesy of an unfair and undemocratic rate scheme drafted by Time-Warner lobbyists. As voices from Georgia to California poured in on last week's call, there was a powerful sense of community - of allies and supporters committed to a strong, independent and truth-telling media. You can read more about the call on my Editor's Cut blog. Many callers wanted to know what comes next, and what more you can do to help. We highlighted how The Nation is taking a leading role in a transpartisan group of political and cultural magazines, liberal and conservative, religious and secular, working to mobilize our combined readership to petition Congress and the postal authorities. Together we're trying to get mainstream media coverage of this issue, and working with the public interest group Free Press on legislative relief for smaller publications. Bloggers are getting involved as well, and are voicing their support for policies that make it possible for diverse and dissenting views to continue to be heard. And by Fall we hope to have drafted legislation around which we will implement a massive grassroots campaign. Until then, you can help by writing letters to your local newspaper, contacting your elected officials, and reaching out to family, friends, and co-workers to educate them about this threat to independent media. Go to www.stoppostalratehikes.com to learn more about how you can help. Thank you for your commitment to The Nation. Throughout our Postal Rate campaign I have continued to be both humbled and amazed by your responses to our requests for help. We have reached out to our community of loyal readers and friends and you have generously contributed $312,000. We are more than halfway towards covering the cost of this increase! We have only $188,000 left to go, and with your continued support, I am confident we will reach our goal. If you haven't had a chance to make a contribution to The Nation's postal increase campaign yet, it's not too late. Just click here to make a donation. We will keep you informed of our progress as we continue to build a community of people opposed to this unfair increase. Together, we can ensure that free and independent media not only survives but thrives at this moment when it is needed more than ever. Sincerely, Katrina vanden Heuvel Editor and Publisher, The Nation