I received an appeal yesterday, ostensibly from Bernie Sanders, for a nascent website called “Our Revolution”, ostensibly owned by “FRIENDS OF BERNIE SANDERS” It is a blatant appeal for money to found a new organization, and the appeal is ostensibly written by Bernie himself.
Then, today, I received an appeal that I continue my monthly contribution to his campaign from the same organization.
There is nothing but an appeal for money, and it smells just like what I’d expect from clever crooks to collect money. It’s doesn’t have the honest appeal I’ve come to respect from Mr. Sanders, and I will not be duped.
Here is my response:
I’ll continue my monthly contribution, AFTER you have published a clear and meaningful statement of what “Our Revolution” is all about, and how you’re going to leverage my cash into something meaningful.
I am disappointed that you have not shared your (or, perhaps, haven’t fully thought through the) intended outcomes of “Our Revolution,” and how you intend to marshal the latent resources of all your supporters to make a significant difference in this, Our Revolution to, perhaps, “Refocus America On its’ Latent Greatness.” We are NOT the “Greatest Nation on Earth,” (look at the obstructionism of politicians, the need for BLM, the wage disparity for women, the lack of adequate policing of the police, etc.) and I hope “Our Revolution” will make a difference…but with no statement of intended outcomes, no definition of values, and no assertions of a comprehensive set of organizing principles, I cannot, in all good conscience, take food out of my family’s mouth to fund what might be a great idea, or just another “wannabe” cause.
BTW, a book is a book, and is not likely to be an action plan the all readers can follow… However, I applaud your intention to expand on what I expect (‘graph above) as a minimum prerequisite to contributions.
To set up a website just to solicit contribution for something that may, or may not, be aligned with your followers’ beliefs is the kind of hubris I would expect from Donald Trump, not from the man for whom my lawn sign still stands, and will stand until election day ends.
Please, do ask for contributions again in the future, AFTER you have made the case why I should.
--Carol Anne
Wednesday, Aug 3, 2016 · 7:29:48 PM +00:00
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CAOgdin
Apparently it’s REAL; here’s what I got in email today:
From: Bernie Sanders [mailto:info@BernieSanders.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2016 12:15 PM
To: Carol Anne Ogdin
Subject: Let's get started
Carol Anne,
Election days come and go, but the struggle for economic, social, racial and environmental justice continues. Together, we built something special and unprecedented through our presidential campaign. Now, we are going to take the next steps for our political revolution.
We are building a new organization called Our Revolution. Our goal will be the same as in our campaign: we must work to transform American society by making our political and economic systems work for all of us, not just the 1 percent.
Can you make a contribution to Our Revolution so that we can continue our critical work to take back our country from the billionaire class?