Just Say NO to Fundraising Requests from Politicians

It's that time of the year again. Every quarter, just as the FEC reporting deadlines approach, politicians go on a mad scramble for last-minute donations.

You've probably gotten email and direct-mail solicitations already.

My reform organization Change Congress would like to give you a civic-minded reason to just say "No."

Thousands of people have joined our "donor strike" for political reform. We're pledging not to give a penny more to any federal candidate who does not support replacing special-interest funded elections with citizen-funded congressional elections, a hybrid of public funding and Obama-style small donations.

Together, we've withdrawn over $1.6 million from politicians who don't support bipartisan legislation in Congress to return democracy to the people.

If you haven't already joined the donor strike, please do so today. Then, just "No" to fundraising requests from any politician who has not yet supported citizen-funded elections. Here's how, in a couple easy steps:

1. Check to see if the federal candidate asking you for money is a supporter by clicking here. If he or she is, then please thank them.

2. If he or she is not a supporter, and they asked you for money by email, just respond by sending back this link: http://change-congress.org/no

(CC us too! We'd love to see it! [e-mail])

3. If he or she is not a supporter, and they asked you for money by direct mail, download our free donor strike sticker design here. You can print them out and tape them to your reply -- or buy an Avery 10-pack on Amazon or at a local store. Then, slap it on the fundraising request and send it back!

Want to do more? Then most importantly, help spread the story of our strike. Click here to post this message automatically on Twitter:

RT @Change_Congress Just say NO to politician fundraising requests! http://tinyurl.com/lftnzs #money #politics #p2 #tcot

(And, if the money you were going to give to politicians is burning a hole in your pocket, then consider donating to Change Congress to help us continue our work to reform the system. If you donate at least $50 here, I'll have some color stickers sent to you right away.)

In any case, thank you to the many people who have supported our donor strike already -- and to all that join today and help us send a message to politicians that we are serious about reform.

Comments

[calfacon]

Ask these questions when contacted for donations:
Do you support a public healthcare option as part of healthcare reform?

If so, do you support a public healthcare option that is available on day one?

Do you support a public healthcare option that is national, available everywhere, and accountable to Congress?

Do you support a public healthcare option that can bargain for rates from providers and big drug companies?

"Will Senator/Re­presentati­ve/Committ­ee [fill in the blank] give up his or her taxpayer-funded health care until every other American citizen has health care?"

[Lemeritus]

Rather than withholding money, we should be devising some scheme to actual purchase our own representatives and senators. Perhaps we could have a pledge drive. Someone call "K Street" and see what the prevailing rate is... 'course you know what they say? if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

[noneIn2008]

At least it would help end the facade that people make up much of the contributions. Let's show contributions for what they really are, bribes from the special interests.

[karela]

This is a crazy thing to do at this time! Does anybody think that big business, lobbyists and republicans are going to withhold campaign funds at the same time that we finally have a good chance at universal health care? We have an agenda to accomplish. Does anybody really want to see more republicans in the House and Senate? Do you think we'll get more of what we believe in if theirs is the only game in town that has money for ads and door to door brochures? At a time when the President is urging us to support the campaign for health care with donations, phone calls and door to door AND at a time when we need more true democrats in the House and Senate in order to do what we came to do, this is no time to turn off the money. This is Crazy at this time! Don't donate to any republicans who are funded by big money, but if we just cut off the money to our own candidates, you can guess what we'll get----more of the same as the republican party is showing us now. I donated to Change Congress to help impress Ben Nelson and Mary Landrieu, but this is a foolish thing to do. Listen to the President. He knows what he needs to get the job done.

[Dbos]

I agree . They will get the needed money from rich donors.

[Lemeritus]

Aw, heck, they already do.

[scooperss]

Some dems appear to be closet repubs.
Get more of what you believe in? You believed enough in the blue dogs to elect them---over and over and over......­..........­....

DON'T DONATE to any of them.

[meremortal]

Wrong. The way to change the system is to hit them where it hurts.