It's high campaign time. Senator Jeanette White stopped by yesterday and dropped off a lawn sign that I'd asked her to bring me. She's terrific and I'm sure she'll be re-elected. I don't think she even has an opponent. Anyway I pick and choose who to support these days and with Daryl not running for anything it's down to Jeanette and Bernie here in Vermont.
But you'd think that I'm
a) made of money
b) giving all kinds of cash to candidates
c) a Democrat
because every morning I have an emailbox full of campaign begging. 20-30 waiting to be opened before I even get a sip of coffee and then they dribble in during the day, too. It's getting to be a pain in the ass. Candidates I've never heard of in states I've never been to, much less lived in. And while I'm sure they're well-meaning people (usually folks don't run for office unless they mean well) there are only so many slices in the pie. Besides, I don't even know anyone in some of the states these people want to represent. And there's part of me that thinks that your campaign money should come from the folks you're going to serve (and certainly not corporations at all). Then I read the story behind one or two of them- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth for instance- and I make a list of those I will contribute something to, even if it's only 5 bucks. I mean, really, a woman who lost 1 1/2 legs while flying a helicopter in combat duty wants to serve in the Senate, she deserves my support.
In the never-ending construction and re-construction of my budget for the Fall, I've now included a set amount to divvy up among the candidates I'll help out. A grand total of 60 bucks, not much in the whole scheme of things, but it's heartfelt. Who knows, it may be my five dollars that tips the budget.
MYSTERIOUS GARDEN
10 months ago
Posts
10 comments:
Every contribution helps, Austan. It's a commendable thing you're doing. I've decided not to ask your financial help in my reelection as Lt. Governor of Arizona until such an office exists in that state.
Good for you! I respect people who follow their conscience to donate whatever they can, as opposed to those super PACS (with NO conscience) dumping mega-millions into the races.
Oh, and I love your title on this post. Very clever!
Geo.- Thanks, and let me know when you're running. You'll get my 5 bucks for sure!
Susan- those PACs are the real pain in the ass, aren't they? We should be lobbying to stop lobbying, too.
They broke me down and I sent $10 to Obama. Since then, my e-mail is stuffed with begging letters and the phone is ringing off the hook. I should have done something better with that $10.00.
We can put our phones on a 'do not call' register which (in theory) stops cold calling. However, political parties and charities are exempt. Humph. They will often get more from me if they don't call, and leave me to make up my own mind. I love your principles.
I agree. It's very annoying when you do your best to help and then get hassled for more and more. Makes me want to run for the hills.
Amazing how you can work your budget to include that much. Those $5's really add up. Good on ya, mate.
Arleen- I don't know how any of them get my phone number, it's not under my name, but they do. I'm not even a Democrat, but they call and call and email like no tomorrow.
EC- same here. You don't get sales calls but charities and politics can and do come calling. And I agree, they'll get more from me if they Don't Badger! We share principles, EC. Thanks.
Boo- Right? You're in it, doing what you can, and then they get like a little kid wanting more! Sheesh! It's not much at all, but I give Bernie 25 bucks every few months and there are a few folks who deserve a little help (and a little help's all they can get from me-haha!!).
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