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ClaireBlue's avatar

These are great suggestions - I so agree that taking action, writing checks in support of candidates and organizations like these, or volunteering at the polls is so much better than hand wringing. My first stint as an election officer at my local polling place was November 2016 - I'll be back at it this year

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

I volunteered as a poll worker after the 2016 election and have worked every election since, including town ones -- most recently the MA primary on September 1. My town clerk loves me because (1) I don't need to be reminded, and (2) I don't mind showing up at 6:45 in the morning. ;-)

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Daniel Friedman (5 gen nyc)'s avatar

In the context of my donations. I am wondering how and when we became Consumer Voters, where sending money is so important?

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Heather Cox Richardson's avatar

An absolutely brilliant question. I could make guesses, but let me throw this to some of my better informed friends.

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

As far as why sending money is so important, I suspect it had something to do with the Citizens United SCOTUS decision. The cost of running a contested campaign, even for way-down-ballot races, has gone through the roof. Btw, what do you mean by "Consumer Voters"? How is donating to a campaign "consuming" it?

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Daniel Friedman (5 gen nyc)'s avatar

I am being increasingly treated as consumer. I can't step out my door in Manhattan without paying for most things. Daily life has been monetized. Notice what has happened to museums, as an example.

Now I repeatedly contribute for political candidates and causes, but vote only once. Which is becoming more important?

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Susanna J. Sturgis's avatar

I still don't understand how this makes you a consumer -- or how contributing to candidates and causes is the same as paying to get into a museum. Maybe you have two separate questions going here? IMO, contributing to candidates and causes is like volunteering for candidates and causes: it makes you a participant in the electoral process and/or, more generally, civic life.

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