I know I could and should put this in an open thread. But of course, I cannot get there. In the traditional view of the site, the petitions have taken over the right column and you cannot get past them for some time. I do not have time for that stuff.
Let’s make it clear. Petitions have absolutely no effect on the people where they land. Congress has created a system where you cannot even email them directly. Unless you have a real address in a district, the Senator or Representative won’t even look at you or read what you write. (You can take the time to call, but they will still ask for an address.)
So what do the petitions do? They make you feel good and provide your email to the organization. Now this is a legitimate organization. They do make money (by selling your email) and that money seems to be legitimately used. I investigated. But it’s deceptive. And of course, they pay for the real estate on the site that they occupy.
I’d far rather just donate to the site. I get rid of the ads that way, but not the petitions.
This has taken me ten minutes to write, so maybe I can actually scroll down to community stories now and read what others have taken the time to write. I shouldn’t have to do that. I work online and enjoy popping over to DKos every once in awhile to read community members’ thoughts. I do not enjoy having to try to find a way around petitions that are slyly programmed to squat on the right hand column.
Can’t we figure out a more honest way to provide input? Giving a link to the direct mail of every rep and the major companies that donate them would be so much better, if less profitable.