GlassBooth

I was recently tipped off to DonorsChoose.org and the more I think about their work, the more impressed I am.

I am a public school teacher in an impoverished community. I want my students to have the same education as the nearby public school system in a wealthier neighborhood, but our budget simply doesn’t suffice. Specifically, I was looking to purchase a couple digital camcorders and Macs to teach my fifth graders how to capture their lives and share them through digital storytelling. Wihtout being able to personally afford the materials, I post the request on DonorsChoose.org, asking the online community to chip in any part of the $1,000 needed for the equipment. Within one week I have received enough in online contributions to purchase the cameras and computers and send the donors regular updates as to the progress of my students.

The hypothetical above is just one of thousands of stories that might be found on the DonorsChoose.org site. Beyond the amazing service is a business model designed for sustainability. When a donor makes a contribution through the site they are asked to contribute a “fulfillment fee” relative to the budget of the school that goes to support the general administration of DonorsChoose.org. This fee along with corporate sponsorship is enough to continue to grow this amazing service. Glassbooth encourages you to open your heart and support public education using DonorsChoose.org

Do Something is an amazing organization that supports the work of young people making change. Glassbooth is the May recepient of a Do Something Plum Grant which willl enable us to continue to provide our service for free and start to roll out our model into local and state elections.

There is learning about balanced budgets. There is paying taxes. There is collecting benefits. Then there is setting your nation’s budget priorities and taxing its citizens in a well thought out online simulation. Let’s call it Budget Hero.

The game - the product of a partnership between Corporation for Public Broadcasting and Serious Games - allows you to learn about the budget implication of government and the services it provides. From foreign policy to health care, the game puts you in the Oval Office as you cut budgets, wage war, and avert coming economic crises.

After tireless hours of research by the Glassbooth hack research team, Ralph Nader has now been entered in the Glassbooth quiz. You can take the quiz or access his positions directly in the Explore Candidates section.

We are still seeking a response from the Nader campaign to clarify some of Mr. Nader’s positions. If you feel compelled, please contact his campaign directly and ask they forward along the requested information.

Thanks,
Glassbooth Team