I've been around for a while, rarely writing diaries, but a diehard progressive dating back to before most of the young group was born. I'm trying to back up my political beliefs with a bit of money. Consider the effectiveness of supporting campaigns now. More below the fold.
I'm going to make a slightly different pitch. Make contributions through the Daily Kos portals on ACTBlue. The sooner you do that, the sooner our candidates have what it takes to keep their campaigns on the air and fight back against the Karl Rove advertising blitz.
Why is this a little strange? Because for a time the Kos site did not accept American Express which is the only credit card of consequence I have and it's my primary means of tracking that kind of spending. (it does now) So I established my own fundraising page on Act Blue, i.e. Progressives Worth Supporting so I could start a matching cyle to Kos on my own. That's no longer necessary as far as I know.
I've generally followed the Kos Orange to Blue while adding in my own peculiar Connecticut interests, that being where I live. But what I've tried to do is adhere so far as possible to the KOS ethic. As of today, my page has raised $9,824.22 for 34 candidates or committees and 99.5 percent of that is my contributions. No boast at all there. I believe and my wife believes. We're fed up -- with the other side.
As far as I'm concerned, Orange to Blue could include us with them, but in terms of mechanics, I don't readily fit into that. I think the credit card issue is sorted out, but it became easier for me to do it my way and it makes my accountant happier. I've given up some things to do this - I'm not rich -- and I'm sure others also give things up.
I recognize that most Kossacks can't do what I did. I maxed out on Obama today -- I'm not an Obamabot, but I believe. And I think without him, it's all a waste. He may go down in history as only a moderately great president, or more. I've not maxed out on my own congressman yet, or my Senate candidate, but I'm not done yet. What I have done is contribute to YOUR candidates, a lot of them, from Sherrod Brown to Elizabeth Warren, Tammy Baldwin, Heidi Heitkampf, Rob Zerban and a lot more. Most of the contributions are not large.
I appreciate things are tough for a lot of Kossacks. I don't think anyone should give up a meal or something. I don't think you should assume this was easy for me - There are things I could do more pleasurably than contribute as a minor player in big money politics.
What the Daily Kos Orange to Blue campaign does is to dramatically increase the impact of the smallest contribution and in truth, it enhances the power of the progressive movement. I didn't leave the Kos Movement, just took a detour over a rough spot. Look for what you can do. If you can't make a contribution of money, perhaps you can volunteer or poll watch or find something else that helps us get where we need to go honestly.
Just do something. For this FDR baby, it's never been so important. We are a power together.