We Hate Feeling Like ATM Machines, But…

I know we all hate feeling like mere ATM machines; however, it requires resources to bring the fight to the opposition. Of course, resources are just one of the prerequisite components needed to mount a successful and sustainable fight; the other elements are:

• Ideas: a message that resonates.
• Organization: the various party and grassroots entities that will mobilize us come general elections (or at other necessary time).
• And, again, Resources: bodies and money — yes, money!

Around here this list is plainly obvious, and bears little repeating; however, every now and then — and I think now is that time, at least for me — one needs to be reminded of the following:

• If you’re not attending a MeetUp (Democratic Party, DFA, Kossaks, Progressive Majority or any other grassroots group that’s actively working to elect Democrats) on a regular basis, then start now!
• If you’re attending a MeetUp on regular basis, make sure you’re working to grow your group — letters to the editor, providing more organization and creating an infrastructure, etc.
• If you’re already doing both of the above, then considering taking on a greater leadership role within your local group or, better yet, within your local Democratic party.
• And, finally, here’s something we should all be doing on a periodic basis, monthly, quarterly, whatever you can afford: provide resources to the DNC — that’s right, let’s give our party the resources to bring the fight to the opposition.

You can start by visiting the DNC contribution page at https://www.democrats.org/support/.

Let me share with you what inspired this post, from The Hill [April 12, 2005]:

The 10 most vulnerable House Republicans have raised twice as much as their Democratic counterparts this year, testifying to an enduring GOP fundraising advantage in member-to-member giving and the majority party’s clout among donors on K Street.

The article goes on to fill in the details on how it is that the opposition has managed to out raise us — I’ll spare you the details, which you can read on your own. My sole point here is to reiterate what we all know around here: it is up to us to reclaim our country, and we need to start by doing — at a minimum — the four things listed in the preceding bullet points.

Finally, about a week ago I attended a Camp Wellstone workshop on “citizen activism,” which rejuvenated my profound sense of the rightness of progressive principles and, too, underscored the importance of building the infrastructure that’ll nurture a sustainable progressive movement. If you’ve not attended a Camp Wellstone workshop before look’em up here, you’ll have a great time and learn a lot in the process. Again, as I see it, building a sustainable progressive movement requires resources — money and bodies; accordingly, if you can, make a commitment to yourself to help build our Democratic party by providing the necessary resources to defeat our opponents, give what you: https://www.democrats.org/support/.