Political Donation
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(2008 Feb blog post)
INTRODUCTION: In the two years leading up to the 2008 U.S. Presidential election --- including 2007 state and federal congressional representative elections --- I received repeated requests (even demands) for donations, for Democratic Party candidates. These requests have come from all sorts of organizations --- national organizations, state organizations, and individual candidates --- sometimes from individual candidates in states far from my state. In many money requests, political 'organizations' obnoxiously demand 'annual membership dues' --- often to a large organization such as the
By the way, I am sure the Republicans are at least as aggressive --- and as obnoxious. I consider myself an 'independent' --- and I give to only those individual candidates that I feel represent me best. I have seen too many times when the DNC or other such 'machines' give donation money to a candidate that I cannot stand. If the Democrats (and Republicans) in Congress actually seemed to be trying to do something useful --- to justify the most generous high salaries and retirement benefits that they have awarded themselves, I might feel inclined to donate periodically. However, it seems as though 90% of Democratic congress-persons are simply following the directions of lobbyists --- just as about 99% of Republicans do. Anyway, to make it easier to deal with the repetitive process of responding to requests/demands for donations, here is the text of a form letter that I now may use to respond ... over and over and over again, if need be. |
START OF LETTER :
Date:
To _______________________________
In the past several years (2006-plus), I have received, repeatedly, requests and even demands for donations --- such as notifications that my 'membership dues' are required or are over-due. I always write on the donation form some verbiage to the effect that I have no intention of giving money to either major party --- nor to any subgroup of candidates of either party --- nor to any individual candidate (with VERY few exceptions). I provide some reasons on each donation form that I return. I am tired of repeatedly writing those responses --- especially since my responses are ignored and seem to just trigger the sending of another request/demand for a donation. I need a more efficient and consistent way of responding. Hence, I have composed this form letter to use for replies to donations. I want to say here, in one place, that I am totally disgusted with the way 90%-plus of the U.S. Congress is in the hip pocket (wallet) of lobbyists who seem to write most of the laws that the Congress rubber-stamps.
Examples: With all these sources of funds, why does Congress need to keep awarding themselves way-beyond-cost-of-living salary increases --- and retirement plans that even retiring CEO's with golden parachutes must envy? It is no wonder that surveys show that the approval rating of Congress is around 17%. I wonder why it isn't about 4%. |
I will be glad to send a substantial donation to your organization when the following laws are passed.
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That's about all I can think of for now. These laws, when implemented, would go a long way toward getting this country back to being a place we can be proud of. [Oh ... one more item. Congress needs to beef up the laws, continually, to rein in the predators in the financial industries and the top hierarchies of large-corporations. These predators are continually devising new ways to prey on their fellow citizens and investors. The phrase "free enterprise" has become a dirty word to those on the receiving end of fraud. To Republicans, fraud is just another form of free enterprise --- and, as such, they think fraud (and fraudsters) must be protected. In the minds of many citizens, "free enterprise" = "free greed" = "it's OK to do ANY thing to your neighbor, to get his/her money or property". ] If you would please see to it that the topics listed above are more than adequately addressed, then I would be glad to contribute to your campaign coffers. Sincerely,
Congress persons, As John Lennon said, "GIMME SOME TRUTH".
P.S. And they will probably use my response as a trigger to send another money request. So I now stand prepared to send this reply --- over and over and over --- perhaps with a few updates --- as I think of more examples of misbehavior (and stronger bad-behavior-modifying laws) to add. Cheers. |
END OF LETTER. In 2008, I sent an earlier version of this letter in four pre-paid envelopes that I had saved from previous requests for political donations. It felt good dropping that barrage-of-four in the mailbox. You are welcome to copy this letter and edit it to address your particular issues, with your own emphasis on them. Perhaps, you find, like I found, that it is difficult to overcome inertia and compose a reply to repeated unsolicited mailings that offend the senses. I think it would be great if a letter like this can be used to help others overcome their own inertia. Let 'em hear from you. |
For more info: To find more information on receiving a ridiculous number (and types) of political donation money requests, you could try some WEB SEARCHES on keywords such as : |
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Page was posted 2009 Feb.
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