I received a fundraising call on Saturday afternoon from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
I have a feeling they regret calling me.
Join me on the flip...
The young lady was very nice.
"Hi, I'm '_________' and I'm calling on behalf of the 'D-Triple C'. Is Timothy there?"
"That's me," I said.
"Hello, Timothy, I'm calling in regards to the upcoming primary elections there in Ohio, and I was wondering if we could get your support..."
"Hold on a minute," I said, perhaps a bit too strongly.
"Hmmmm?" she said, startled.
"I'm sorry," I said, "but there's not a chance in the world that I'm going to donate to the D-Triple-C this cycle. I am so disappointed in what democrats have done in congress these past two years that I cannot, in good conscience, make a donation to any organization that would support those who have done absolutely nothing."
"But Timothy," she started to say, "there are 26 races that we need to win..."
"That's all well and good," I said, "and if they are credible, responsible, progressive candidates who are actually willing to do the job that we're hiring them to do, then I'll gladly donate my time or even some of my very meager funds directly to their campaign. But there's not a chance in hell that I'll support people who have spent the last two years on their hands."
"But Timothy," she started to say, and I cut her off again.
"No, no, no," I said. My wife, Dania Audax, looked at me and started shaking her head. "Be nice" she whispered to me.
"You tell your bosses this," I said to the caller. "I worked my ass off in 2004 trying to get democrats elected to congress so we might have a majority and start fixing all of the broken parts of our government caused by those criminals in the White House. I worked my dialing fingers to the bone, walked so far I destroyed a pair of good shoes, and lost a ton of time and sleep tying to get folks elected that would end the war in Iraq, undo the provisions of the Patriot Act that infringe my rights, provide health care to the millions who don't have it and maybe even impeach the theives residing in the White House."
I pasued to take a breath, and she said, "Well, Timothy, I'm only 18 and I don't know much about what you're saying, I just know that there are a number of seats that we're focusing on in order to get a larger majority."
"That's fine," I replied, "and I hope you do well. But since the 2006 cycle ended what has happened? Nothing! They've caved, and given in to the fear and pandering brought to them by Bush and his cronies. So no, I'm not going to give the DCCC any money. Instead, I'll give my money to people like Darcy Burner, Dennis Kucinich, Dan Seals, Gary Trauner, and others whom I've actually met, looked in their eye, and saw someone telling me the truth -- that they'll actually work and do the job we have hired them to do."
"I'm sorry.. but I... I have another call," she said, obviously trying to get away. "Sorry to have disturbed you and don't forget to vote on March 4th."
"Good luck," I replied. and listened to her hang up the phone.
Do I feel better? In retrospect, not really. Maybe I came on too hard, and beat up on someone who didn't really deserve it, but my prayer is that, somehow, the message I left makes it up the chain to Chris Van Hollen and Rahm Emmanuel.
Not that I expect them to listen...