A Progressive with a Dirty Secret: 'I'm a Capitalist'

I have a secret.

Some of the folks who know me in bloglandia know about it.

It's kind of embarrassing.

OK, I'll just say it.

I'm a capitalist.

(Granted, not an all-holds-barred capitalist, but a fan of regulated capitalism, to adjust for privilege issues untouched by laissez-faire capitalism.)

Since I do get involved in progressive groups, this can be quite awkward. I remember going to a philanthropic function once where we sat down in a healing circle and introduced ourselves and gave a brief summary of our work backgrounds. One guy had been a PETA organizer and a Peace Corps volunteer. One woman taught inner-city drum lessons and did henna tattoos. Her friend was a chef at a raw food restaurant and did pro bono piercing.

I escaped to the bathroom before they came around to me and then snuck back in once the brainstorming session started. What was I supposed to say: IBM, Big 3 Automaker, Big Law Firm? (this was before the addition to my resume of "Vegas Stripper," which I don't think would've helped matters much -- maybe a little if I'd upped the street cred by dubbing it "sex worker.")