Just told MoveOn.org to jump my ass and unsubscribed!

[ddeclue]

THIS time they wanted me to go down to Alan Grayson's office with a bag of potatoes to protest HIM of all people over campaign finance reform when in fact he's about the only one trying to do something about it - not to mention that Alan is one of the few courageous liberal voices in Congress right now, he's right now in Darfur, and hey I'm unemployed and if I could afford a bag of potatoes, I'd be eating them not using them as a political street theater prop like some political Carrot Top.

:argh:

[Enrique]

1. Grayson, potatoes, campaign finance reform?

:wtf:

[ddeclue]

3. EXACTLY... MoveOn.Org is a one trick pony that doesn't understand that Bush isn't President

and my Congressman is a liberal Democrat. All they know how to do is street protest theater with Carrot Top props... that's fine when you are out of power. It's just plain stupid when you hold power. I can call Congressman Grayson directly any time I want to - why would I make an ASS out of myself in front of his office protesting him?

[Warpy]

4. Street theater might be a little better

if those clowns knew how to pick their targets.

Why the HELL are they protesting Grayson, of all people? Didn't he return a phone call or something?

Whoever decided on this one is a total moron. Maybe they have a GOP mole.

[lolly]

12. Link or text, please?

There doesn't seem to be any evidence anywhere else of this action by move-on. Help out by providing a link or some of the copy from the e-mail you received?

[ddeclue]

16. IT'S AN EMAIL.. HERE YOU GO:

The Democrats' campaign finance reform plan is small potatoes. After the Supreme Court repealed limits on political spending by corporations, small potatoes won't save our democracy. Can you deliver a bag of small potatoes to Rep. Grayson to let him know that this bill isn't enough?
Click Here


Dear MoveOn member,
Last week, Democratic leaders announced their plan to stop the flood of corporate money into politics.1
Unfortunately, the Democrats' plan is small potatoes—especially compared to the threat posed by the Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited corporate spending on political campaigns.
The good news is that the bill's authors say they will strengthen it if they hear from enough people, so we can definitely still have an impact.
Can you drop by Rep. Alan Grayson's office tomorrow or Thursday and deliver a bag of small potatoes to let him know that this proposal isn't enough? All you need to do is grab your potatoes (really, any size potatoes will do) and print a flyer to bring with you. We'll provide a flyer you can bring with you. Click here if you can do it:
LINK REDACTED
The Democratic plan, proposed by Representative Chris Van Hollen and Senator Chuck Schumer, currently includes these main provisions2:
• Public disclosure: The proposal includes a number of provisions intended to make sure the public knows which corporations are funding the ads we see on TV during the election.
• Foreign corporations: The plan would bar most political spending by foreign-owned corporations.
• Government contractors: The proposal would stop government contractors from spending on political campaigns.
This just doesn't cut it—not after the Supreme Court put our democracy up for sale to the highest bidder. This is a plan that basically says it's OK for most corporations to buy elections, as long as they tell us they're doing it.
Under the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act, a fund would be created from a small fee on big government contractors and media corporations. Then, candidates who only take contributions below $100 will get those small donations matched four times over from the Fair Elections fund.3
The Fair Elections Now Act is modeled on successful citizen-funded elections in states like Maine and Connecticut, and a new poll shows it's a winner with voters across the political spectrum.4
To save our democracy, we need citizen-funded elections, not small potatoes like the Van Hollen-Schumer plan.
You can help by delivering a bag of small potatoes to Rep. Grayson's office tomorrow or Thursday with a flyer urging Congress to pass the Fair Elections Now Act? It's urgent, so it needs to happen right away. Click here if you can do it:
LINK REDACTED
Thanks for all you do.
–Steven, Anna, Ilya, Wes, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Lawmakers Want to Reinstate Barriers on Campaign Spending by Corporations, Others," The New York Times, February 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86474&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=5
2. "Breaking: Congress's response to Citizens United," Fix Congress First, February 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86475&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=6
3. "Fair Elections Now Act Bill Summary," Public Campaign, accessed February 16, 2010
http://www.publicampaign.org/node/38166
4. "Supreme Court ruling fuels ire," Politico, February 9, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86430&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=7
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
________________________________________
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Douglas J. De Clue on February 16, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2691 - Release Date: 02/16/10 02:35:00

I redacted the links because they would count clicks as proof of their "success" and the links give Alan's district office address.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

2. So what you're saying is:

Spud for bud-stud is dud thud?

[uppityperson]

5. Very good. DUzy, if anyone knows who to send it to.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

6. Thank-you!

*bows*

[Luminous Animal]

7. I've searched the MoveOn site and googled every combination I could think of and

I can't find any evidence that there is a protest against Grayson by MoveOn or anyone else.

[ddeclue]

14. It's an EMAIL campaign.. I'll copy it here for you..

The Democrats' campaign finance reform plan is small potatoes. After the Supreme Court repealed limits on political spending by corporations, small potatoes won't save our democracy. Can you deliver a bag of small potatoes to Rep. Grayson to let him know that this bill isn't enough?
Click Here


Dear MoveOn member,
Last week, Democratic leaders announced their plan to stop the flood of corporate money into politics.1
Unfortunately, the Democrats' plan is small potatoes—especially compared to the threat posed by the Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited corporate spending on political campaigns.
The good news is that the bill's authors say they will strengthen it if they hear from enough people, so we can definitely still have an impact.
Can you drop by Rep. Alan Grayson's office tomorrow or Thursday and deliver a bag of small potatoes to let him know that this proposal isn't enough? All you need to do is grab your potatoes (really, any size potatoes will do) and print a flyer to bring with you. We'll provide a flyer you can bring with you. Click here if you can do it:
LINK REDACTED..
The Democratic plan, proposed by Representative Chris Van Hollen and Senator Chuck Schumer, currently includes these main provisions2:
• Public disclosure: The proposal includes a number of provisions intended to make sure the public knows which corporations are funding the ads we see on TV during the election.
• Foreign corporations: The plan would bar most political spending by foreign-owned corporations.
• Government contractors: The proposal would stop government contractors from spending on political campaigns.
This just doesn't cut it—not after the Supreme Court put our democracy up for sale to the highest bidder. This is a plan that basically says it's OK for most corporations to buy elections, as long as they tell us they're doing it.
Under the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act, a fund would be created from a small fee on big government contractors and media corporations. Then, candidates who only take contributions below $100 will get those small donations matched four times over from the Fair Elections fund.3
The Fair Elections Now Act is modeled on successful citizen-funded elections in states like Maine and Connecticut, and a new poll shows it's a winner with voters across the political spectrum.4
To save our democracy, we need citizen-funded elections, not small potatoes like the Van Hollen-Schumer plan.
You can help by delivering a bag of small potatoes to Rep. Grayson's office tomorrow or Thursday with a flyer urging Congress to pass the Fair Elections Now Act? It's urgent, so it needs to happen right away. Click here if you can do it:
LINK REDACTED
Thanks for all you do.
–Steven, Anna, Ilya, Wes, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Lawmakers Want to Reinstate Barriers on Campaign Spending by Corporations, Others," The New York Times, February 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86474&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=5
2. "Breaking: Congress's response to Citizens United," Fix Congress First, February 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86475&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=6
3. "Fair Elections Now Act Bill Summary," Public Campaign, accessed February 16, 2010
http://www.publicampaign.org/node/38166
4. "Supreme Court ruling fuels ire," Politico, February 9, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86430&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=7
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
________________________________________
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Douglas J. De Clue on February 16, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2691 - Release Date: 02/16/10 02:35:00

If you follow the redacted link it gives Alan's district office location.

[inna]

24. It doesn't target Grayson. It is directed at MoveOn members' local representatives,

based on subscribers' zipcode. I received a similar email asking me to deliver the same message to the office of my rep, Nancy Pelosi.

Dear MoveOn member,

Last week, Democratic leaders announced their plan to stop the flood of corporate money into politics.1

Unfortunately, the Democrats' plan is small potatoes—especially compared to the threat posed by the Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited corporate spending on political campaigns.

The good news is that the bill's authors say they will strengthen it if they hear from enough people, so we can definitely still have an impact.

Can you drop by Rep. Nancy Pelosi's office tomorrow or Thursday and deliver a bag of small potatoes to let her know that this proposal isn't enough? All you need to do is grab your potatoes (really, any size potatoes will do) and print a flyer to bring with you. We'll provide a flyer you can bring with you. ...

I understand their rationale, but I personally thought the means (delivering bags of potatoes) were perhaps unnecessarily eccentric, but then again... maybe that would've drawn the additional attention to the message delivered, so... maybe that would not have been counterproductive, after all. Anyway, I suspect that the turnout for this event was quite low, still I respect them for what they do, or trying to do. (I've participated in Move.on events before, and I know that they are good people and they mean well.)

[Dr.Phool]

8. MoveOn jumped the shark a long time ago.

I unsubscribed so long ago, I don't even remember why.

[Luminous Animal]

9. I am sure they did something horrible but show me the evidence that

they are protesting Grayson.

I've searched all over the net and find zero evidence of any Move On action directed against Grayson.

[ddeclue]

17. It's an EMAIL.. HERE YOU GO:

The Democrats' campaign finance reform plan is small potatoes. After the Supreme Court repealed limits on political spending by corporations, small potatoes won't save our democracy. Can you deliver a bag of small potatoes to Rep. Grayson to let him know that this bill isn't enough?
Click Here


Dear MoveOn member,
Last week, Democratic leaders announced their plan to stop the flood of corporate money into politics.1
Unfortunately, the Democrats' plan is small potatoes—especially compared to the threat posed by the Supreme Court decision allowing unlimited corporate spending on political campaigns.
The good news is that the bill's authors say they will strengthen it if they hear from enough people, so we can definitely still have an impact.
Can you drop by Rep. Alan Grayson's office tomorrow or Thursday and deliver a bag of small potatoes to let him know that this proposal isn't enough? All you need to do is grab your potatoes (really, any size potatoes will do) and print a flyer to bring with you. We'll provide a flyer you can bring with you. Click here if you can do it:
LINK REDACTED
The Democratic plan, proposed by Representative Chris Van Hollen and Senator Chuck Schumer, currently includes these main provisions2:
• Public disclosure: The proposal includes a number of provisions intended to make sure the public knows which corporations are funding the ads we see on TV during the election.
• Foreign corporations: The plan would bar most political spending by foreign-owned corporations.
• Government contractors: The proposal would stop government contractors from spending on political campaigns.
This just doesn't cut it—not after the Supreme Court put our democracy up for sale to the highest bidder. This is a plan that basically says it's OK for most corporations to buy elections, as long as they tell us they're doing it.
Under the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act, a fund would be created from a small fee on big government contractors and media corporations. Then, candidates who only take contributions below $100 will get those small donations matched four times over from the Fair Elections fund.3
The Fair Elections Now Act is modeled on successful citizen-funded elections in states like Maine and Connecticut, and a new poll shows it's a winner with voters across the political spectrum.4
To save our democracy, we need citizen-funded elections, not small potatoes like the Van Hollen-Schumer plan.
You can help by delivering a bag of small potatoes to Rep. Grayson's office tomorrow or Thursday with a flyer urging Congress to pass the Fair Elections Now Act? It's urgent, so it needs to happen right away. Click here if you can do it:
LINK REDACTED
Thanks for all you do.
–Steven, Anna, Ilya, Wes, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "Lawmakers Want to Reinstate Barriers on Campaign Spending by Corporations, Others," The New York Times, February 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86474&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=5
2. "Breaking: Congress's response to Citizens United," Fix Congress First, February 11, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86475&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=6
3. "Fair Elections Now Act Bill Summary," Public Campaign, accessed February 16, 2010
http://www.publicampaign.org/node/38166
4. "Supreme Court ruling fuels ire," Politico, February 9, 2010
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=86430&id=18958-5238247-xZUyd1x&t=7
Want to support our work? We're entirely funded by our 5 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.
________________________________________
PAID FOR BY MOVEON.ORG POLITICAL ACTION, http://pol.moveon.org/. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. This email was sent to Douglas J. De Clue on February 16, 2010. To change your email address or update your contact info, click here. To remove yourself from this list, click here.
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.733 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2691 - Release Date: 02/16/10 02:35:00

[Luminous Animal]

21. So let me get this straight, the bills author's WANT to hear from people.

So, when people organize to give lawmakers what they WANT, you reject the people.

Do pretzel's come with that logic?

[ddeclue]

25. nope the people aren't organizing "to give lawmakers what they want"

this is just to churn lists and justify people's jobs at MoveOn. They are protesting Congressmen REGARDLESS of where they stand on the issues. You don't incentivize politicians by offering them a stick or a stick. There HAS to be a carrot for our friends or why bother to do the right thing if you are going to get beaten up by your "friends" for doing it?

Alan Grayson has been on the side of the angels on this one and on every liberal agenda item - the people at MoveOn are too damned stupid to know any better apparently.

[Tippy]

10. Never got anythin from Moveon about Grayson

The one i got today was about Blue Cross increasing the cost of premiums...I know some became upset with MoveOn some time back..but I'm not to sure what that was about anymore...I sign petitions and such for them all the time and make calls.....

[ddeclue]

15. Yeah because he's probably NOT your Congressman..

they just send out these fill in the blank with your Congressman's name emails without even considering WHO the Congressman is.

[Tippy]

22. Your right he is not my Congressman

However I have been receiving his updates for several months...as I have from several members of Congress from other states. Move On had nothing to do with my decision to contact these people, but when I like or agree with something they have done I let them know...and that door swings both ways.

[peace13]

11. Don't worry if they leave bags of potatoes for Grayson,

I am certain that he will make a great noise while donating them to the food pantry! I love Alan Grayson.

[upi402]

13. Yeah I was uncomfortable with that

My Senator who was to be potato-targeted was named as a liberal that may be too leftist and at risk -on MSNBC!

But gimmicks work, sadly.

[On the Road]

18. Just a Guess,

but MoveOn probably think's Grayson's proposals are "small potatoes" because he doesn't want them to be overturned in court.

That Supreme Court ruling is forcing campaign finance reformers to either aim very low by making their proposals consistent with the decision or aim very high by going for a constitutional amendment. Grayson may be simply being practical and trying to do what can be done under the new legal framework.

Short of the court modifying the decision, that's about that can be done other than grandstanding. Preaching to the converted is not accomplishing anything.

[Bitwit1234]

19. Move on lost me when the came out and supported

Obama for president. NOT because they did it but the way they did it. I got an email at about 5PM and then I heard on the news at 6 they were endorsing Obama over Hillary - that they members wanted it.

I don't know how in the hell over 6M members could have received those emails, returned them and they were counted in that length of time. If they wanted to endorse Obama go for it, not put out the pretense they did. I don't have any trust in them what so ever after that.

[ChicagoSuz219]

20. "...some political Carrot Top." LMAO n/t

[lame54]

23. Grayson should cook those potatoes and feed the poor...

and have Chris Matthews cover it