There was a time when I was much more politically active than I am now. I phone banked. I went to precinct meetings, even chaired one. I called family members and friends. I blogged, heavily. On every subject. I volunteered. I felt like I was part of the process.
And then I didn't. People would call to talk politics and I'd change the subject. I couldn't delete fund-raising emails fast enough. I would have rather gotten a root canal than sign a petition. LEAVE ME ALONE was my position. Until last week.
I live in North Carolina, a pretty important state when it comes to control of the Senate. So I decided to watch the Hagan/Tillis debate. The avoidance of answering questions, the half-truth talking points, the outright bullshit from the Republican scared me straight.
I had told myself it's no big deal. Even if we lose the Senate this time, the 2016 map is much more favorable and Hillary Clinton should have no trouble winning the presidential contest. I'll just ride out the next couple years and then get involved.
Now, I can't sit idly by while these people destroy the country over the next two years, even if it is through inaction and obstruction. Otherwise I am complicit, and voting just isn't enough.
So tonight I made a decision. I made a donation to the DSCC. I made a donation to Kay Hagan's campaign. Every weekday until election day I will make a $3 donation to a DailyKos candidate.
Maybe it's too little too late. But I have to try, and I hope others will join me. I am not affiliated with any campaign, on a paid or volunteer basis. I'm just a guy tired of sitting on the sidelines.