2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumTo the Sanders folks: how much have you contributed to someone else?
I notice that the Sanders supporters are happy to tell us every time they make another contribute to his campaign. But they also talk about a "political revolution" to bring in progressives to support his policies. How many of you are actually contributing to those House and Senate campaigns? Or is that someone else's job?
So far, my wife and I have contribution to 10 Senate races, 6 House races, 2 Governor races, the DCCC, the DSCC, a SuperPAC that does oppo on Republican candidates, and groups that advocate for voting rights and State policy development.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)congratulations
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)...but then I don't announce every time I make a new contribution.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Listing all your donations to "shame" others who don't have the same kind of resources?
Or what?
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)You don't have to be rich or wealthy to spread donation money around.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)candidates feel empowered to take a stand. I can assure you that if Hillary (not a progressive) wins the nomination that will not occur. Hence, backing Bernie is our way of, currently, backing progressive values. Downticket races come slightly later, when he is closer to winning the nomination.
But thanks for the friendly strategy advice.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)Just need to elect Bernie, and the Senate and House will magically change and go along with him.
Cute.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Where did you read that?
It wasn't in this thread.
Or are you just making up lame slurs?
artislife
(9,497 posts)in_cog_ni_to
(41,600 posts)You know, one of those 1%ers.
It's why he supports HRH.
And why it's any of his fucking business what people donate to campaigns is beyond me. He actually just wants everyone to know what HE HAS DONATED, so he can brag. Very distasteful, rude and embarrassing (for him).
I remember when bragging was Socially unacceptable, just like GREEDINESS was. But, apparently, 1% ers want everyone to know they're wealthy...for some reason. Like we are suppose to care?
Pretty damn sad and pretty pathetic - he has zero Social Graces.
PEACE
LOVE
BERNIE
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)others who are actual Progressive Dems. I won't contribute to Corporate sponsored candidates. I do have two new candidates who are running for Congress who are refusing Corporate donations and intend to donate to their campaigns and ask others to do so.
Why do you assume that people 'announce every time they donate'? I certainly don't.
We are well aware that we will need to replace members of Congress who have not exactly done the job they were elected to do with candidates who have shown in clear ways that they share the principles, such as not being beholden to the top 1%, as the people who elect them.
This IS a political revolution but it isn't going to happen in just one election.
Eg, in the midterms where DWS and the DNC lost the House and Senate for us, we the people focused on local elections, getting good progressives elected at the local and state levels across the country.
Now we can encourage some of those people to run for Congress and the Senate and we know their records.
Money in politics is one of THE most important issues in this campaign, though those who are running things so far, don't seem to GET IT.
I read somewhere that Corp Media stenographer Chuck Todd is 'puzzled' by Bernie Sanders incredible popularity. Well of course he is. He doesn't understand what the people CARE ABOUT from inside his DC bubble.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)On the flip side, a huge thank you for supporting a Senator as well. My own focus is much more on the Battleground Senate states than the presidency. I admire you for it.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)some good candidates for Congress who need our support since lots of money is going to be spent to try to defeat them.
Btw, Donna Edwards needs about 30,000 right now, just donated again as much as I could. Probably should post an OP for her.
I too focus a lot on Congress and believe it is even more important than the WH. Because no matter who wins, if it's my favorite candidate, he will need the support of a good Congress to get anything done.
And if it's a Repub we need that Congress even more to stop that president from, eg, the kind of things Bush got so much support for, unfortunately. THAT taught me a lesson re Congress. Had we had a Congress who was willing to stop him for the disastrous Iraq invasion, things would be a lot different today, but we didn't sadly.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Gathering you are nouveau riche, because old money never brags.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)I really don't see how other people saying they sent a few bucks is any different than your consistent announcements of the funds you and your wife donate, this OP being one such announcement.
Your OP: "I send more than you do so why to you others even mention it instead of just letting me mention it? How dare you do as I do."
randys1
(16,286 posts)or pair of nice shoes.
Some can rarely do this so when they can they talk about it
Your wealth makes you unable to see some stuff
notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)that she wanted to give more, but unfortunately she couldn't because the FEC would come down on her.
No, most of us Sander's supporters don't have that kind of money.
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)Okay.
frylock
(34,825 posts)notadmblnd
(23,720 posts)Sanders can win the GE against the republican clown car. It is HRC who won't win against republicans. Hillary winning the primary will do nothing but motivate the republican base. It'll be 2010 all over again.
You HRC supporters are really good at touting polls that show how much ahead Clinton is ahead of Sanders' But I think it would be wise if Clinton camp started paying attention to how well she'll do against them.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)It is just as important to donate to those down ticket Democratic races as well as local races.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)$5 a month to Bernie. That's all I can afford. It comes right out of my grocery/meds budget. I support a disabled family member. We both will vote for Bernie.
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)$5/mth to Bernie is great; but, $5 to Bernie and $5 to a senate, house, or governor's race would be better.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)napi21
(45,806 posts)$5 or $10 to Senate House Candidates who I know would back him. I'm living on SS and don't have a lot of extra $$ to spread around. I also do the best I can to spread the word about how important voting for Dems, MAINLY because of the SCOTUS. I tell everyone I talk to on the phone, and even try to carefully explain to the few Pubs I know what all the Pub candidates are aiming for. Eternal wars, more tax cuts for corps. and the wealthy, and all the things they've been battling over for the last 7 years and more.
I've even gotten some Pubs to back away from supporting a few of the Pub candidates.
I'm well aware that it won't matter WHO is elected to the Presidency if they don't get congressional support. I point that out the the folks I talk too as well. I hate it that there's close to NO CHANCE of electing Dems to Congress or the Presidency from the State I live in. (Ga.) so I spend what little resources I have on Dems from other States. I still always vote Dem. here, but I'm always in the minority.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)Rich folks simply have a louder voice than I'm able to muster. Good for you. Pat yourself on the back.
I've given I think $45 dollars to Bernie over the course of his campaign.. It's more than I can afford.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)Exactly why we need Bernie. Income inequality, evidenced and demonstrated right here in this thread on DU.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)Ino
(3,366 posts)1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)What do you think Bernie will/could do about THIS instance of income inequality?
Amimnoch
(4,558 posts)I disagree with your choice of candidate, but your donation as a sacrifice is something to be respected and admired. I, for one, do.
artislife
(9,497 posts)I have scraped $250 to have lunch with my two senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. Al Frankin did the intro.
I have told them I won't contribute anymore because of some of their recent votes.
I have contributed to the local Dem of my precinct but any monies, however small goes to local issues like the Cascades or the Salmon runs. Lots of environmental. I am about to donate my car to el centro de la raza, though. I got a nice car through a series of miracles.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)Know who else you can donate an old car to? Your local high school mechanics class if they have one. We drive our cars until they are almost dead then either give them away to the school or someone that just needs one for work.
artislife
(9,497 posts)New front tires, new brakes, an alignment,shocks and a small cracked window on the passager back side.
Oh, you can't lock it because the the third time it was broken into, they left the tip of the knife in the key hole. They ruined the passenger side lock and because everything is electronic...my mechanic said it would cost me 500 or so to fix. Well, I had to put a new timing belt, a new alternator, a new starter and drumroll...a new head gasket in this car in the last 12 months. The locks never got fixed, the lack of shocks made the hills like a carnival ride and the brakes scared the hell out of me.
But el centro say it doesn't matter, they have people to do the labor. It is a 5 door hatchback and had a lot of room to carry stuff. I kind of got weepy the last time I got in her.
But the new car has punch up the hills, new tires, new brakes and is a toyota camry. The ride is smoooooth. And she is paid for. Miracles, really...a series of miracles.
PatrickforO
(14,587 posts)I unfortunately don't. When I donate to a politician it is a big deal because I'm one of those people who doesn't have a whole lot of money and keep my fingers crossed that something doesn't go wrong with my car. And I've got this shitty rationed healthcare that I pay an arm and a leg for, and my wife lives in constant pain and probably needs back surgery and WE CAN'T AFFORD IT BECAUSE SINGLE PAYER ISN'T 'REAL' TO YOUR CANDIDATE. So I get to watch her suffer and try to make her better with deep tissue massage.
I donate to Bernie because he is the ONLY candidate who is talking about things that would actually help me and my wife. I honestly don't believe your candidate cares about my family or the millions like us.
onehandle
(51,122 posts)You are wasting your time.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)to this campaign, but I believe in it enough to take from where I probably shouldn't. Is that clear enough for you?
1StrongBlackMan
(31,849 posts)The OP referenced those Bernie supporters that give/gave multiple times, in whatever amount.
Even a single $5.00 contribution helps in a down ticket race.
catnhatnh
(8,976 posts)to truly believe they are "obfuscating" and I know you are not a pluperfect asshole.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)I donate what I can to whichever cause I think needs the money the most, what business is it of yours?
We can't all be 1%ers.
Thanks for the richsplaining though, always appreciated.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)JeffHead
(1,186 posts)emulatorloo
(44,182 posts)Would have liked to do more donations but a bad year here. Hopefully can do more in 2016.
Retired here, so I planned to volunteer and knock doors for several campaigns but my hearing has deteriorated badly since 2014. But I can hopefully do data entry.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)emulatorloo
(44,182 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)Lifelong Protester
(8,421 posts)not to talk about such things-it comes off as bragging. I think you could have made the point without listing what you and your wife (how nice of you to mention her!) contribute to.
-How about non-partisan contributions?
catnhatnh
(8,976 posts)the term describing such behavior is gauche...
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Old money is mortified by those who flaunt their wealth. I've heard how old wealth describes people who conspicuously flaunt wealth. The shorthand phrase is NOKD, which stands for Not Our Kind, Dear! Nouveau riche can buy their way into private clubs, but they never get put on the Boards.
virtualobserver
(8,760 posts)You are so invested in the status quo that you can't even see why we are so disturbed by the politicians that you are supporting.
leftofcool
(19,460 posts)Fawke Em
(11,366 posts)BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)MuseRider
(34,119 posts)We all donate to Bernie because that is how he has chosen to make the money needed to run for our benefit. So we dig into wherever we can find the money to donate to him.
Good for you that you can donate that much money. You really did not have to share. Was the point to let us know that we are selfish and don't care about anyone else? Yes, I think it was. Well pal this is none of your business.
840high
(17,196 posts)BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)JackInGreen
(2,975 posts)I buy bernie lunch instead of me, glad you can afford more.
On Edit: recc'd for exposure, maybe you'll check yourself.
dorkzilla
(5,141 posts)His raison d'etre is to call attention to his alleged wealth and connections. So tiresome.
JackInGreen
(2,975 posts)I'm hoping when alls said and done we can all be allies again, though I'm starting to think that folks on that side only see worth in a narrow band of person.
dorkzilla
(5,141 posts)Really I need to be more like you but I believe myself to be naturally misanthropic. Or in the words of that great philosopher, Linus van Pelt, "I love mankind, it's people I can't stand".
Never give up hope.
LiberalAndProud
(12,799 posts)bully for you.
Also, your sense of entitlement is showing.
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)less valuable than a long time campaign contributor?
Did you ask the same question to the first time contributors who were fired up over Obama?
Ino
(3,366 posts)I'm in awe of your money & magnificence. You're the kindest, most important, well-heeled & well-connected person in the country. Hillary is so lucky to have someone of your stature and resources on her side! You are so fortunate to have Hillary looking out for your interests!
[URL=http://www.sherv.net/][IMG][/IMG][/URL]
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)Response to brooklynite (Original post)
1000words This message was self-deleted by its author.
Betty Karlson
(7,231 posts)Clinton won't do anything about Citizens United if this is the way her supporters behave.
CharlotteVale
(2,717 posts)RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)murielm99
(30,761 posts)Hillary yet. I will.
I have given to Emily's list. Later, I will give to Tammy Duckworth, too, and to some state and local Democrats here.
By the time I finish doing this, I may have only ten dollars-twenty-dollars for each. But I give my time, too. I give a lot of that. And I give it to local candidates, even more than the national ones.
We support a number of state and local committees by buying tickets to their fundraisers. We buy raffle tickets, and participate in their auctions and 50-50 drawings. We go to a lot of dinners.
Most of our friends are Democratic activists. I am glad we have some time, and a bit of disposable income to share.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)Shocking I'm sure.
grasswire
(50,130 posts)He cares. We heard him last night. BREAK UP THE BANKS, he said.
Won't hear that from Hillary.
Fearless
(18,421 posts)Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)If Bernie wins the primary, I will happily donate to others that I think will work well with him.
If he doesn't win the primary, I doubt I will see any point in contributing to anyone in the GE or for the foreseeable future. In that case all my donations will go to actual people that are suffering due to the policies that are now and will continue to be put in place. And, I will curse the greedy that allowed this to happen because they were so didn't want to pay their fair share in taxes with every donation I hand out.
So, if you are supporting Hillary just so you can keep your healthy income without any care for the less fortunate and future generations prepare for some really bad karma coming directly from me in the future should she or the GOP win the GE.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)All of the other candidates, or too many of them for my taste, are backing Hillary.
So if they are backing Hillary, maybe they should rethink that if they want my money.
I will vote for all Democrats on my ballot EXCEPT HILLARY.
My congressman is really great as are my state senator and assembly member as well as our mayor and other candidates.
Thank heavens, Dianne Feinstein will not be on my ballot. I have voted for her, but it is a tough thing to have to do.
Barbara Boxer, now it is a joy to vote for her! But I wish she would back Bernie rather than Hillary. She does not need my money.
Neither do the other local Democratic candidates in my area. They are all very popular and win by large margins. I live in a super-blue area of the country.
rpannier
(24,338 posts)If I don't believe in them, they get zip
The DCCC and DCSC get zip
Some individual candidates get money from me, others don't
Good that you can donate to so many races
Do you donate to charitable groups (I do), like food pantries and environmental groups
There are hundreds of ways to donate and help
Sometimes all it takes is time and that is often worth as much or more as cash
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)truedelphi
(32,324 posts)But I am sure that as soon as my company makes a $ 50,000 donation to the Democratic Party, one will be hand delivered to my home!
ThePhilosopher04
(1,732 posts)to support that many campaigns. Makes sense to me now.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)JustAnotherGen
(31,879 posts)I've given out of state donations to Kamala Harris and Donna Edwards. PAC - strictly O'Malley. I've also given to HRC's campaign. Small potatoes compared to the other 3 but every time a Republican says something snotty about SOS Clinton that is an outright attack - I feel compelled to defend her. I also consistently give to the NAACP and UNCF. The UNCF is critical to offset the Koch influence at HBCUs. They made a massive donation recently - and we have to stop their free market swindle in its tracks.
After that fiasco in Kentucky that ran against Obama and the Democratic leadership ignoring Buono and Christies trickster behavior to spilt the election dates in 2013 -
I bypass the party and give only to those who:
1. I relate to.
2. Can represent my values and focus even if they represent another state.
3. Paid their dues and are deserving. Grimes in KY was not deserving of a single cent I gave - and doesn't deserve to call herself a Democratic. Good, bad, indifferent - She ran against Obama. I can't trust the party leadership and PACs to support good people - so I've had to take my toys and go home.
Also - I'm thinking over the bridge you guys are supporting a Sweeney run - right? Nuh- unh. New Way For NJ. Absurdly wealthy boot strap ground up extremely liberal man is running - there my be a revolt this time. Heads up - we don't need the Party to prop him up - or NYC for that matter. So he will get my support as will anyone in the South NJ districts who can shore up Trenton so we can start to move forward with the things we need without interference from Republicans in square states.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Worrying about homeless people instead of bragging about how much money you can afford to throw at politicians!
For shame!
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)snot
(10,538 posts)I've contributed to John Conyers, and Dennis Kucinich, as well as other campaigns, before they reached out to me and though they didn't rep me; because they were doing the work that needs to be done.
Better than nothing.
femmedem
(8,207 posts)and municipal Democratic candidates.
I've donated to some as well. Glad you are able and willing to donate to Democratic candidates, but "is that someone else's job" is an unnecessarily snarky way to talk to your fellow Democrats.
And if Bernie is activating people who, until this point, have been disengaged from politics, that's terrific. If they're only donating to him, good on them for donating at all. There's a huge swath of Americans with little to no breathing room in their budgets, for whom ten or twenty dollars for something other than food, rent or utilities is a big expenditure.
Karma13612
(4,554 posts)I am so far out of your league it ain't funny.
I won't even be able to donate 10% of my allowed max to BERNIE.
Forget other races, I AM the 99%
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Because unlike the national one, it doesnt have its head up its ass on things like pot legalization.
I will happily contribute to Wyden's campaign; although I doubt he's gonna need it.
I support my house candidate, every 2 years.
Likewise I would contribute to The Harris campaign in CA and if Gavin Newsom runs for CA gov I would support him with donations.
But honestly, short of Bernie Sanders, I cant think of a single prominent Democrat east of the Mississippi that I would be remotely interested in writing a check to.
...I wonder why that is.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)... we ousted the last Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, half his staffers went to work for a right-wing propaganda mill.
eridani
(51,907 posts)No national groups unless they promote local chapter formation. Mainly sticking with state and national legislative candidates in the Pacific NW, but will occasionally go farther afield. No donations to DNC since Dean left. Most of my spare cash is going to Sanders, but I gave O'Malley $15 a couple of months ago because I don't think he should drop out.
Katashi_itto
(10,175 posts)You are obviously the superior being.
BeanMusical
(4,389 posts)Scuba
(53,475 posts)Bernie Sanders and Russ Feingold.
Those two, and several other Democrats, are also getting my volunteer labor.
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)I'm heavily involved in local politics here in the city, and I donate to every campaign I feel strongly about. And I'm not some New York millionaire like some of us.
I do enjoy working for and with advocacy groups working against the inequality your type espouses, though, I'll tell you that much.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)When these candidates came out in support of Hillary it effectively ended my support for them. I see a potential Hillary presidency as a disaster for the nation. I cannot in good faith support any individual or any group that would support Hillary.
elana i am
(814 posts)Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Was it part of another misinformation campaign?
elana i am
(814 posts)but from what i understand he was invited to an event and accepted, and somehow that evolved to mean an endorsement.
e
LWolf
(46,179 posts)I do not make an announcement every time I donate or do something else to support a candidate.
Your broad brush doesn't fit.
I am donate to Sanders' campaign, as well as to other left-of-center non-neo-liberal candidates.
polichick
(37,152 posts)HoneychildMooseMoss
(251 posts)"The Pharisee boasted thus on the message board, 'God, I thank you, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as these Bernie supporters.
"I am a proud one-percenter, I give TITHES of all that I possess to Third Way candidates".
polichick
(37,152 posts)The Boss
(63 posts)about 3 months ago.
Zero for Clinton - she doesn't even deserve my money.
elias49
(4,259 posts)Give her tons...her war-chest is only from bankers and corporate CEO's.
She may need your help.
(his goes out to "the Clinton folks".
Response to brooklynite (Original post)
Post removed
mak3cats
(1,573 posts)jeff47
(26,549 posts)Oilwellian
(12,647 posts)"An empty cart rattles loudly." One who lacks substance boasts loudest.
dorkzilla
(5,141 posts)I give any funds I can scrape together for animal rescue organizations and no-kill shelters. I've donated 4 times and they were modest amounts-I'm a small businesses owner with a newly-discovered health issue. I lend space at my business for the campaign, but money goes to the animals because people suck.
Prism
(5,815 posts)But my parents taught me early on that it was very gauche to flash one's money around, especially in a repeatedly obnoxious way.
Guess a body can't buy a proper raising.
ecstatic
(32,731 posts)I've never seen anything like this on DU. Very immature and hateful. Things have really changed.
H2O Man
(73,605 posts)Very good!
I'm too poor, at this point, to contribute financially, to any candidate. So my "real life" activities are limited to voter registration and education.
I do not care which candidate anyone plans to vote for in the primaries. I am entirely focused upon helping to build the number of Democrats in Washington, and in state positions. As I've noted in several OP/threads, I am convinced that an ugly, un-American force is building strength inside our country ....headed by people like Cruz and Trump, but not limited to them.
Thank you for all you do.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)$20 to Trump
$60 to McCain/Palin back in the day. I like to call it Palin/McCain
Of course Bush got a little cont. over Kerry from me.
I imagine truthful answers to your op would be very revealing. You won't get them except from a very few.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)question, Sanders supporters believe getting Bernie into the White House is all that's necessary to make it aaaaall better. Congress isn't important. State governorships and legislatures aren't important. Just getting Bernie into the White House is going to turn this country into an extreme Left utopia. It's no wonder they support this Socialist-conveniently-turned-Democrat-only-recently rather than a proven Democrat who can actually BEAT any Republican clown the GOP is going to sacrifice next November. Big picture thinking isn't their thing, I've noticed. It's people like them that ensures Republicans will always be elected.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)And if you think I'm envious of some jackass bragging that he has the money to make a difference, you got another think coming. People have the money to stack the deck, but what we're trying to do isn't so much about money to influence polticis, it's about feeding families, making regular people matter, and rebalancing the scales of justice.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)the scales of SCOTUS is going to happen with a guy in the White House who doesn't have any friends in CONGRESS unless they're of the Republican kind? A magic wand?
You do know that the list you've given are all domestic policy and that that's under purview of Congress' constitutional powers, not the White House's, right?
It's exactly what brooklynite was trying to tell you Sanders supporters, but instead he gets pummeled, there are plenty of posts of obfuscation, and yes, class envy. Read the thread, Ed.
Sanders supporters want their revolution? It ain't gonna happen via the White House. The sad thing is? Bernie's been in Congress for nearly twenty five years, and he's NEVER tried to start this revolution before. Now, all of a sudden, SCOTUS seats will be up for replacements, the economy is going well, unemployment is going down, houses are being built once again...and Bernie wants to be president.
A good thing is? It ain't gonna happen. He won't win the Black and Latino vote, but he'll def get the majority White male vote.
Prism
(5,815 posts)Oh my. That takes me back to Reagan's 80s. Nicely invoked!
But seriously. The reason there is so much eye-rolling is because the poster usually doesn't waste an opportunity to let everyone know he's well off. Which is fine. But if you're going to constantly make mention of it, snark is headed your way.
Class envy. Oh dear. Can class warfare be far behind?
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)Sanders supporters are wont to do these days. Better yet! Blame Clinton! Even better! Blame President Obama! But whatever you do, don't break the cardinal rule and put any responsibility on
Man! I can't wait for Hillary Clinton to hand Sanders his walking papers. This place will be so much better. And sane.
Prism
(5,815 posts)You know, a lot of people supporting Sanders are the working class or poor. They don't have much to give. So having someone tromp in with "I'm rich, and I throw my money in all these places! What do you do?!" is the height of insensitivity and poor taste. To manage it on a liberal website really dials into a kind of privileged cluelessness and lack of empathy. And this isn't the first time the OP has done that shtick. So, yeah, you're going to get some irritable responses based on the history. Even if I don't condone every response, I certainly understand why they're there.
Furthermore. Class envy. This is a right-wing term favored by Republicans whenever the poor complain about the rich. What in the holy hell is that term doing on a liberal website?
I'm finding it increasingly strange that, in order to support Clinton, the verbiage of the Right is being adopted in order to go after Sanders and his supporters. Suddenly we're all about tax cuts and shit. Single payer?! We can't afford that!
If someone has to do their best impression of a Republican to support a Democrat, well, I don't know what on earth to tell you. Maybe time for some self-reflection.
Class envy. Jesus H on a Ritz.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)Brooklynite's message in his post was simple: how much are you investing in down-ticket races after boasting having contributed to the Sanders campaign? Instead of answering, he gets attacked just because he has the unmitigated gall to be honest here on this board in full disclosure and in his attempt to be fair. How is that translated? As envy, and it's that envy, that putting down, that denigration and that derisive snarkiness that is core to class envy. Read the posts.
What you're overlooking here is, it's not the term that's important here, Prism. It's the act that is, and the anger toward anyone who's been successful in life is pure Republicanesque.
Prism
(5,815 posts)The point of the Sanders campaign is that you have people who usually can't donate to access political power who are spending their pennies on a candidate like Bernie. Being able to not only donate to a presidential candidate, but down ticket, is an economic luxury of the economically empowered. Don't you remember what being poor was like? When you barely had $20 to spare for anything?
Economic privilege.
Buuuuut. I just remembered. You were the same person who called gay marriage "unthinkable" to you, when you knew you were on a board full of LGBTers. So, I'm not so sure how penetrative my argument is going to be with you on a board with people who are economically underprivileged.
You see you. Neat. See someone else, for a change.
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)The point of the Sanders campaign is to destroy the Democratic Party establishment from within in some misguided quest to get a revolution going. The only beneficiaries of that will be Republicans. If you can't see that, then you either have the privilege to refuse to or you're in a revolutionary bubble.
And yes, I do remember being very, very poor with three mouths to feed and six months late rent that, were it not for the good graces of our apartment manager and the tragic recent death of a younger sister, I would have been out on the street. I also remember that it happened at the start of President Bill Clinton's second term, and that were it not for his leadership, there wouldn't be a job for my husband and I. So forgive me if I'm partial to the Clintons. We have history together.
This is what the Dutch - you know? the people of the first country in the world that actually legalized same-sex marriage? - would call "drawing old drowned cows out of the moat". You're pulling a cheapshot here - one that's about TEN YEARS OLD. When I said the above, I was with the VAST majority of Americans. VAST majority. I have since changed my mind (and there are plenty of Du posts where I explain that if you bothered to update yourself) - with the VAST majority of Americans - understanding that equal rights should be for all and that separate but equal (civil unions) is Jim Crow.
So if you're going to excoriate me for an opinion I had ten years or so ago, then you'll allow me to hold Sanders accountable, for the same amount of time, for his NO-vote on the 2006 comprehensive immigration reform bill; for his 2006 YES-vote to shield the Minutemen vigilante group who were, three years later, responsible for the murder of a 9 year old Mexican-American girl; for his YES-vote for the PLCAA that protects gun manufacturers, sellers, and distributors from civil lawsuits from families of victims of gun violence; and for his 2012 public calling for a primary challenger for our first Black president during the time he was already getting the least favorable news coverage as it was. Oh, and I'll continue to hold Sanders' 1998 YES-vote and his lobbying with Texas Governor G.W. Bush to dump Vermont's nuclear waste in the backyards of poor Mexican-Americans in Sierra Blanca, Texas. Let's not even get started with his vote to extradite a Black woman from Cuba who was falsely convicted for murder and sentenced to life by a jury of all-White Americans and was kept in solitary confinement for twenty years before she escaped and fled to Cuba.
Unlike Sanders' harmful votes, my opinion is harmless. So let's try to keep things in perspective, shall we?
JackBeck
(12,359 posts)It's always a pleasure to hear your take on the things that matter to the progressive movement.
RedCappedBandit
(5,514 posts)Wow.
Says plenty.
artislife
(9,497 posts)that unless you have big money and clothes for a fancy night out, too bad.
Is it class envy? I don't believe so. I believe the poor and the newly about to be poor are tired of getting bashed on the head by dollars from the upper class.
I love Richard Branson. He's filthy rich. But he lives his life like it is one great adventure. When they asked a lot of top CEOs what their best tool for business was, he answered that it was people. His PA was with him for decades, she still travels with him because she is like family. He knows people make him better.
That was an aside.
I have worked for people who have millions in the bank. I have liked, really liked most of them. It is how one behaves to those less monied that makes one honorable or not. IMO
elana i am
(814 posts)i've only managed to give a couple 10$ donations to sanders because that's all i can afford.
if i DID have any money to spare in the future it's going to raul grijalva and keith ellison. if zephyr teachout runs again it will go to her. if warren and grayson endorse sanders it'll go to them.
i've drawn my line in the sand. my money goes to progressive candidates with progressive principles. right now, based on endorsements, i can count the number of TRUE progressives on one hand.
Agnosticsherbet
(11,619 posts)I have no money to donate to candidates. If I did, I would be donating to those running for the House and Senate.
The President can not legislate, and what we need is legislation to address the nations problems.
madwivoter
(539 posts)Other (very important to me) non-political campaign donations I've made over the last two months:
Toys for Tots
The Salvation Army
Local food pantries
Planned Parenthood
Next after that:
Bernie Sanders (continued monthly)
Russ Feingold
Other down ticket races I feel compelled to donate to
Bernie, Russ and Toys for Tots also get my time.
Oh, and good on you for sharing your wealth with the politicians that support your core values.
Stay classy.
roody
(10,849 posts)I do give to charity.
AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)Yeah... why don't you contribute for me since you're so rich and like to show off. Just nothing to the Third Way sleaze machine.
Actually... a) It's none of your damn business who contributes what to whom, and
b) who cares what you gave?
Jesus!
frylock
(34,825 posts)Hell Hath No Fury
(16,327 posts)I tend to donate only to my Presidential candidate of choice, once during the primaries and once during the general (if they are the nominee or if I support the nominee).
What I can do the rest of the time is advocate for my candidates, get involved with campaigns, and anything else I can do that does not involve money.
And this is a reason I am in complete support of serious election finance reform. Money MUST be taken out of politics.
JackBeck
(12,359 posts)Not only do I work in the non-profit sector, but I volunteer many hours doing the heavy lifting that some people, such as yourself, think they can absolve themselves from any responsibility by simply making a donation.
The money I donate comes in the form of personal resources spent on driving to Trenton to lobby our legislators and Governor and canvassing all around New Jersey for various organizations.
Personal time off from work when I could be taking a vacation. Sleeping on the floor of a stranger's house countless times after carpooling to DC to lobby.
Let me ask YOU a question...how many times have you successfully sat in front of your legislature and helped pass legislation through your testimony? How many times have you sat across from your governor who is a member of the opposite party and successfully compromised to get him to sign legislation you have been fighting for?
This is just a peek inside the amount of dedication I have to progressive politics. I limit my time here since for me, actions speak a hell of a lot louder than words or money.
Your post exemplifies why some folks see Democrats as snobby elitists. You give us all a bad name with your condescending attitude.
Puglover
(16,380 posts)Chan790
(20,176 posts)It's getting harder though as endorsement of Hillary is an automatic disqualifier for my donations. I am skeptical of the political judgement and ideals of anybody that would support Hillary. I expressly refuse to donate to the DNC, DCCC, DSCC or any party-organ as they all seem to be in the tank for Hillary...and I'm committed to a Clintonite purge: her supporters, her close associates, her allies and her funders...I want them all gone from the Democratic party.
I also donate extensively to PACs working on issues of importance to me like tax-fairness. Also, anybody willing to pressure Hillary from the left and make any Third-Way action or compromise with the GOP or pro-business/anti-American policy initiatives impossible. I may not have the means to keep her out of the Presidency but I'm finding that I have the fiscal means to do a lot of damage in terms of giving her a Congress, state legislatures and party that will force her to govern left and probably make her so miserable she won't seek a second term.
That is, in some sense, a lot of victories. I'm still not counting out the big one where she loses the nomination.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)Some of us have little money to spare, but door-to-door volunteering is just as important, if not more so. If we don't have the vast sums of money that you have, we can still do something for ALL the Democrats running for election.
So to you, how many hours have you put in knocking on doors?
LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)hobbit709
(41,694 posts)Bjornsdotter
(6,123 posts)Only $50 as I was focusing on 'Toys for Tots'. If you are interested we spent a bit over $500 on the toys.
We gave $100 to Make a Wish and $100 to UNICEF.
We all have different priorities.
JackBeck
(12,359 posts)That's an excellent point! Not to mention, many of us are unable to financially support our local, state and federal candidates so we volunteer as many hours as we can, in a variety of capacities.
Bjornsdotter
(6,123 posts)Exactly!
Plus I don't think anyone should be shamed for not donating. There have been many years I couldn't do as much for various charities.
I also feel that those who volunteer their time are giving much more than those who give money.
leftcoastmountains
(2,968 posts)announce every time I make a contribution. Painting everybody with
a broad brush can get you into trouble sometimes.
Chitown Kev
(2,197 posts)I do feel that you should have qualified "contribution" with more than simply monetary contributions, though...many people (like myself) can't afford to give all that much, much less what you have donated.
brooklynite
(94,727 posts)...but I'd disqualify those whose donation of time constitutes keyboarding.
Chitown Kev
(2,197 posts)and it shouldn't be solely based on keyboarding, I agree.
cherokeeprogressive
(24,853 posts)PowerToThePeople
(9,610 posts)Who happened to vote against Iraq as a congressman.
I think he could be a potential POTUS candidate in the future.
Douglas Carpenter
(20,226 posts)in homes no where near as nice as yours and are frequently late paying their medical bills. Disgusting rogues - I tell you - disgusting! I bet they don't even decorate their homes anywhere near as nice as you do - And their taste in clothing - don't even get me started.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)HOW MUCH ANGER I HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OTHER CAMPAIGNS!!!!!!!
Agony
(2,605 posts)You are vying to be poster child for oligarchs and under some delusion about how that fosters a democratic society?
What you are doing is no different than when Republican outsiders pour money into a race to influence its outcome. and it AIN'T Democracy in Action!
You are a perfect example of the plutonomy driving us further toward oligarchy.
I suppose I should be thankful that you support Democratic Party members
Cheers
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)JackBeck
(12,359 posts)wendylaroux
(2,925 posts)Purveyor
(29,876 posts)Juicy_Bellows
(2,427 posts)bowens43
(16,064 posts)you really should come down off of your high horse , you can't see the people from there..........expect this but 100 times worse from her highness....
morningfog
(18,115 posts)wildeyed
(11,243 posts)But first I made them promise not to call me again for an entire year