(Posted earlier, in part, at MyDD)
Just about everybody is aware of the money meme in the race for the Democratic nomination. According to this meme, the candidate who raises the most money from the wealthiest 1% of the country, through million dollar fundraisers, has the most “momentum” in the race. This "momentous" candidate is then showered with celebratory headlines throughout the country. And every single subsequent story in the mainstream media about the race, thereafter, refers to that candidate’s momentous, top-grossing status, their mind numbing, resistance defeating, nebulous “number oneness.”
Yep, that old money meme seems pretty well entrenched. And, with the so-called first quarter fundraising deadline less than 48 hours away (Midnight on March 31), that old money meme is just itching to rise up again, like the mummy, to haunt the hallways of our democracy. But, what if we...we in the netroots...decided to rock the money meme, to unwrap the mummy? How, you might ask…how?
Well…an emerging effort to rock the money meme is presently taking place, and it deserves our help.
Both Edwards and Obama are trying to shift the money meme AWAY from crowning the top grossee, and instead, toward crowning the candidate with the greatest breadth of financial support, namely, the candidate with the greatest number of donors. Which candidate is the MOST people powered? Which candidate is the second MOST people powered? Shouldn’t THAT be the story? So let's rock the money meme. Let's unwrap the mummy!
To support this effort, you do not have to give a lot of money. If you can, great. If you can't, no problem. Just give something, anything, even $10 to the candidate of your choice. If you want to further make it clear that you are part of this effort to unwrap the mummy, add 8 cents to your contribution, something like $10.08 or $20.08. Let the campaigns know you are from the netroots.
People, this is about creating a groundswell to change the money meme RIGHT NOW, today, and hopefully, for all time into the future. Which of the candidates are people powered? Let's make THAT the story. Let's cause a political earthquake.
So…if you are an Edwards supporter, give a little bit right now to Edwards through ActBlue.com. Or, if you prefer, you can first go through JohnEdwards.com.
If you are an Obama supporter, give a little bit right now to Obama through ActBlue.com, or if you like, through BarackObama.com.
If you like Edwards and Obama equally, or just can't decide between them at this point, then split a small donation, or donate to both. Make your presence known. Don't sit on the sidelines in this effort.
A final note: I recommend using ActBlue in this effort because ActBlue allows all of us (and the mainstream media) to transparently monitor this effort in real time. See, for example, how ActBlue facilitated this positive story. As you may know, ActBlue was started with seed money from the Democratic party to provide internet fundraising for Democrats. You can read all about ActBlue in this recent Los Angeles Times story.
So...C’mon people! The March DailyKos straw poll showed that Edwards had the support of 38% of the people, and Obama had the support of 26% of the people (BTW Hillary Clinton had 3% support). There are hundreds of thousands of you people out there reading this. It is time to make your voices heard. Make the mainstream media report on YOUR existence. Let’s rock the money meme!