I just told off a caller from the DNC -- and now I feel like crap about it.

[Bleacher Creature]

For what it's worth, I've been one of the people on this site who's been accused of blindly supporting the President, despite his general reluctance to go to bat for progressive values and for his closeness to Wall Street. That said, I still support him completely and will do all that I can to get him re-elected in three years.

However, I got a call a few hours ago from someone at the DNC asking for money. I almost always give -- although I have come up with an excuse now and then during months when I'm a little short. This time, however, I lost it a bit. I didn't yell or anything, but I made clear that I'm not going to give another dime until the Democrats who I worked to elect start to push back against Republican attacks and pass real health care reform. The caller then told me that "this was exactly the reason why they needed my support," which was when I made the point that our problem isn't too few Democrats, but rather the refusal of the ones who are currently in office to do their jobs.

Again, I was composed and mostly polite, but I still feel like crap. I am a Democrat to the core and it felt like I had a fight with a family member. Maybe I'm overgeneralizing, but it really is time for all of us to recognize who the real enemy is and what we are fighting for. I'm sick of feeling like this. I obviously never want another right wing Republican in the White House again, but at least when Bush was in office we were united in our opposition to him.

Sigh . . .

[Clio the Leo]

1. So have you given them that money yet?

.... might make you feel better. ;)

[Bleacher Creature]

3. No, but the quote in your sig line made me feel better. NT

[Clio the Leo]

20. Isn't that the greatest? NT

[kstewart33]

2. You were right to do it.

We have to send a message to these guys. I know you hate to be rude, but they need to know.

I'm going to do the same when they come calling me for $$$. Lately, I just haven't picked up the phone. But it's time I have that conversation with them too.

[gateley]

4. Don't feel bad -- chances are the caller feels the same way, and I doubt if

you're the only one who's expressed that opinion. They understand our frustration. Don't feel bad. :hug:

[RaleighNCDUer]

23. Definitely not the only one.

The day after the MA debacle I get a call from DNC asking for my support to help elect people who would with Obama's agenda.

Told the caller I first wanted to be sure that what happened in MA was NOT Obama's agenda, and hung up. No more money for DNC, DSCC or DCCC. Waiting for my pledge card from DFA in the mail. From here out my money only goes to progressives. I don't have enough to be throwing it away on compromisers.

[gateley]

24. The good thing is that all these reports have to be getting back to the

powers that be -- maybe they'll listen and take heed.

[tbyg52]

41. One can hope.

On the one hand, I mind the 100-1 calls to Congress against the bankster bailouts. On the other hand, this protest *does* involve money.

[gateley]

46. And money, more than anything, is the way to get their attention. nt

[rockymountaindem]

5. You can still do your part if you donate directly to a candidate of your choice

I don't blame you for not wanting to give to Kaine for him to fritter it away on conservadems.

[depakid]

10. Exactly

Why on earth would anyone want to assist Republicrats who've done nothing but harm the party AND the nation?

Plenty of worthy candidates out there who are actually interested in doing the people's business- and as enough people send that message- it gets through.

As is said- money talks.

[No Elephants]

12. Are you sure the Democrats are the Republicrats? After all, they could be the Demlicans.

;-)


(I coined both terms and deliberately made it impossible to tell which term goes with which party, much as in real life.)

[FrenchieCat]

6. If they call me, I'll give, and let them know that I'm doing it in the honor

of those Democrats who are upset because they are frustrated,
not because they dislike most Democrats.

[No Elephants]

15. They call people who have donated to them in the past. If you give them your info, I'm sure

they'll be happy to call you.

[Generic Brad]

7. The DNC needs to know how Democrats feel

I don't think you should feel guilty over your opinion. Perhaps if enough of us speak up, someone will finally hear us (Although I think they hear us loud and clear - they just choose to ignore the majority of us).

[elleng]

8. You did the right thing,

and if more of us will do so, MAYBE we'll get somewhere.

I think its Dean and those like Grayson. Will take big change w/in 'party.'

[xchrom]

9. The problem comes when you are a 'democrat' to the core.

They are not obligated to respond the same unless pain leveraged
begins to equal responce.

It's a usable equation : make them work HARD for every
vote of yours.

And never ever feel bad about it.

[salguine]

22. Xchrom's right. Politicians—even Democrats—have taken it for granted for too long as if

expectations are a one-way street.

[jillan]

11. I had the same experience - except I got a little snippy because she wouldn't stop.

And I felt bad too....but hey, maybe they will get the message.

[gimama]

13. YOU were AWESOME!

You spoke the Truth..from Your Heart!
Don't regret Your sincerity & RIGHTEOUS anger..
THEY(we) need to hear & KNOW the Truth You expressed.
Yeah, You feel sad they are not fulfilling the Promises,
or living UP to their(our) potental & Ideals..
just like when a family member 'messes up'..
but they(we) NEED to KNOW.
YOU did GREAT.. YOU acted & spoke with INTEGRITY.
Thank You for posting about this.

[No Elephants]

14. I did something similar when they called me. I do, however, give to individual Democrats who stand

tall, sometimes just to show support, as when Grayson stood up. He's a very wealthy man, but I sent something small, just to say thanks. It was not even election time and I do not live in his state. I also donated to Franken, to help him fight Coleman. And so on.

I don't think I will be donating to the DNC for a while. For one thing, they left Coakley high and dry until she was in free fall. According to her campaign on Tuesday, she was not on vacation, as everyone says. Rather, she had run out of money after winning the primary and spent that time fundraising so that she could start paying for ads. Brown started getting money from all over the country and the RNC, so his ads were up well before hers.

[struggle4progress]

16. Maybe it's time to point out again just how useless this tactic is. If you don't want to give

the DNC money, then don't: give it to a candidate instead. But dumping on somebody making phone calls like this won't help at all. How could it? They aren't directly tied to any congressional office: you can't send a specific message to a well-chosen congressional target this way; it's bullshit. But I'm sure the Repubs think this is a great strategy for Dems

[southernyankeebelle]

17. I did the same thing and told them to take me off their list. That was the

second call I got. I told the person I admired the President but he isn't working for me and the other working people in this country. I told him once I saw a public option or better yet a single payer I would contribute again. Til then forgetaboutit.

[AndyA]

18. You did the right thing. They NEED to hear this message from Democrats.

When the money stops, they'll get the hint. Money seems to be the only thing they respond to. Well, that and pandering to the voters around election time. Other than that, they don't want to hear from us.

Well...you, me, and a bunch of others worked hard and donated lots of money to get these people elected, and now they're letting us down. And they know it. And they have the nerve to have their people call and ask for more money. Not this time. Do what we gave you money for last time, then we'll talk. Until then, the wallet is closed.

They. Will. Get. The. Message.

[old mark]

19. BC: It is not we who have betrayed them - I have voted for Democrats since the late 1960's,

and have NEVER felt so much anger and disgust with the "leaders" of my own party. The only time that even came close was in the '90's when the GOP took over and the Dem politicians in congress were scrambling to become as conservative as they possibly could. The current crop is as spineless, greedy and asinine collection of frauds as I have ever seen anywhere, and they don't deserve our support till they do their job.
I am proud of you.

mark

[janet118]

21. Just quote Jon Stewart:

"Let me see if I have this straight. You need to replace perhaps the most beloved liberal in the history of the Senate with a candidate that believes Curt Schilling is a Yankee fan. Because if this lady loses, the health care reform bill that the beloved late senator considered his legacy will die and the reason it will die is because if Coakley loses, Democrats will only have then an 18-vote majority in the Senate. Which is more than George W. Bush ever had in the Senate when he did whenever the f**k he wanted." -Jon Stewart

[Hekate]

28. Jon Stewart speaks for me. Great quote.

[LatteLibertine]

31. Well

I've "hit the pause button" on my donations too. Why should I support a group of people who legislate against the best interests of 90% of the United States population while carrying water for the most wealthy 10%? That's not to say the Republicans are better. They're worse yet that doesn't magically excuse the Democrats. Let me see some real reform that prevents Wall Street from screwing the nation again and we can talk. "Loaning" those robber barons taxpayer money at 5% or less? Really? While they screw us to high heaven with interest or simply don't loan to small business.

[Blue Owl]

25. sometimes the truth stings

n/t

[Bitwit1234]

26. I just say I need money to add my name to the list when they make calls

and hang up.

[DrToast]

27. Tough love! You did the right thing

Don't feel bad. Enough people do what you did, and they start getting the message.

[Hekate]

29. You were very nice to be kind to your caller. I refuse to pledge or give over the phone, and...

... sadly, I have had to go from friendly to firm, to raising my voice and hanging up on some people.

Every so often someone will take me up on my statement that if I have something in print, on paper, I will give it my best consideration. The only downside of that is then someone else calls in a few weeks to ask why I haven's sent in my "pledge" yet.

You're sweet to donate to the DNC. Before Howard Dean, I only donated to specific candidates. While he was head of the DNC I would send them checks -- now I'm back to specific candidates only.

Hekate

[ChicagoSuz219]

30. When someone says/does something cool...

...I send them a donation to acknowledge it & thank them.

[harkadog]

32. You weren't fighting with a family member

Both the DNC and the RNC use contract call centers to raise money. The person you were talking to could have been a Dem, a Rep, or most probably a typical person with little political loyalties. They use talking points and have nothing to do with their personal opinions.

[Milo_Bloom]

33. Democrats got their last dime out of me a couple of years ago.

Until they show a fundamental change, not a penny more.

[flpoljunkie]

34. Did same with DSCC caller the other day. Told him when Dems start acting like Dems, call me.

I did not enjoy doing this, but the Dems need to know and understand we are pissed, and they must show they can govern by passing healthcare reform the only way left--pass the Senate bill in the House and then fix it in the Senate thru reconciliation and then pass real financial reform. We must not let Wall Street bring us to our knees again.

If they really want to do what's right, in response to the Robert's court latest ruling, they need to pass campaign finance legislation--Durbin's S. 752 and Larson's H.R. 1826, the Fair Elections Now Act. If not now, when?

[donco6]

35. Why feel bad about that? It's your money.

You're not comfortable with what they're doing, and that's the only way they ever come close to getting any input from you. I say rejoice in it. Maybe they'll listen.

[Catshrink]

36. I've done the same and didn't feel badly about it...

they need to hear what the "rank and file" are feeling.

[MaineDem]

37. Please please please donate to your state parties

They need the money and this is where we can really invigorate the grassroots.

[Fire1]

38. I totally understand your feelings. Frustrated with one and

mad as hell with the other.

[rateyes]

39. Don't feel bad about doing that. I don't. I told them the same damned thing.

And, I meant it.

[quantass]

40. I salute you!

You did the right thing!

[Capn Sunshine]

42. That's OK- you did good

they need to hear this, and often.

[Caretha]

43. I'm just waiting for the call

from a "friendly Indian with the name Rick, who doesn't have such a bad accent after all". I'm beginning to feel like I did when my poor demented M-I-L donated every time the Baptist's called and told her how much they needed all her money to feed the poor in Bangladesh. They had no problem taking every extra/and not so extra dollar from her. She would even give up her medications to help those so in need. God Bless her soul.

Why does the DC masses need all our dollars? Why do they prey on our gullibility ....are we as sad and feeble in mind as my poor poor M-I-L?

Yes, I really do believe that is the case. The new preacher of today's time is selling us the same snake oil my M-I-L tried to purchase. Shame...shame...shame.

Can we be as gullible?

[Crunchy Frog]

44. Please don't feel bad. You told them exactly what they needed to hear.

Our party is dead if they don't start standing up for something.

[burning rain]

45. "This was exactly the reason why they needed my support."

What a cheap, automatic reply from the caller. I'd say you made the right decision.