It's funny...I support Obama's re-election...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

But I balk at giving him any money.

I don't understand why I feel this way, but I do.

Anyone else?

It's a very distinct, uncomfortable feeling...

[TriMera]

1. Oh, I don't think you are alone.

I feel the same way. It's okay, I don't think he needs our money this time, anyway.

[Hissyspit]

22. Nice avatar!

[TriMera]

43. Thanks...

:hi:

[FrenchieCat]

2. Just keep thinking "Citizens United"......

It is unfortunately money that wins elections
in this country,
not simply good intentions.

What might also help get some perspective....
that the day after November of 2012 will be one day too late
to change your mind, and one day to the beginning of your life
and that of others changing drastically where whatever you are feeling
now just couldn't compete.

So the question is would it have been worth saving a few dollars
because of this "feeling" of yours? Would satisfying this lack of comfort
you currently feel have been worth it?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Yeah, I hear you on them...

Thinking about those bastards does make me feel more like giving him money...

They will be out in force. Of course, the potential Republican candidates are all idiots.

The so-called real ones are not willing to run against a popular President; they're waiting for 2016...

Thanks for your perspective.

[FrenchieCat]

7. I think the official GOP candidate isn't yet known......

and so I don't underestimate anyone....
which of course includes the Republican.

Could be that Thune changes his mind,
or Rubio decides go for the gold.
Remember that they also own the media....
no matter how much we might think otherwise.
The future is not predictable.....
as we all have learned.

[dkf]

4. Ironic...

Some have accused me of being a teabagger and right wing among other things, but I am planning to donate and help with the campaign.

Well we all have to look into ourselves and determine how supportive of our candidate we are.

[abelenkpe]

5. I know what you mean...

but pretty sure I'll end up sending him money anyway.

:)

[rug]

6. There's little choice with the vote and he won't need the money.

It reminds me of an unreliable sister's birthday. You still give a present but you don't have to wrap it.

[FrenchieCat]

10. Why won't he need the money?

Do you mean that defeating a Corporate media
and Citizen United can be done for free? Are you serious? :crazy:

Do you actually believe that if everyone did as you suggest,
we'd still end up with a Democrat in office?

That's quite a bit relying on others to do what is needed
so you don't have to, doncha think? The Problem there is when too many get the same
bright idea we then all end up waking up in deep shock the next day,
trying to figure out what happened.

and then what?

[rug]

15. He will pull in millions from large donors, just as he did last time.

He won't need as much either, using the exposure of the incumbency.

The republican campaign in 2012 will make McCain's look like Swiss clockwork.

[FrenchieCat]

17. I'm not a betting person...hell, I have never even bought one lottery ticket....ever!

I don't leave anything to chance, or in the hands of others.
I will help carry the load, instead of believing others will do it for me.
I wouldn't have it any other way....never have, and never will.

I didn't like 2010 and foresaw that (although in California,
I canvassed my ass out....and seems like it wasn't a waste of time)
and I certainly will do all that I can this time around to ensure
that 2012 is directly the opposite.

I'm passionate like that.....
which is totally consistent with me being at DU
since 2003 advocating against the Republicans,
and for Democrats.

I'm here to make a difference,
not do spectator sports watching.

[RKP5637]

8. I know what you mean, I have the same feelings, but sadly right now we

have to fight fire with fire. I find it quite sad that money and the MSM are the determining factors in elections in this country. It's rotten and it stinks. That said I do give what I can, although in the big picture it PO's me. We need election reform soooo badly in this country.

[TNLib]

9. I did feel that way but I think around campaign time I'll change my mind

I know his opponent, (we'll just call him crazy teabagger GOP candidate), will make me run for my check book.

[blondeatlast]

18. There you have it. nt

[MH1]

11. Not me.

I despise the whole campaign finance paradigm of our system, but I would rather give money to Obama's campaign than almost any other politician.

[jillan]

12. I'm right there with you Peggy. I'm more apt to donate my time than my money.

When it gets closer to the election, I will on those phones.

[uponit7771]

13. My expectations were succeeded by Obama, I honestly looked at the fact that he was black and looked

...at the fact that conservatives hate blacks or have exhibited a consistent anonymous against people of color through written and stated policy.

I've personally faced it when people don't like it because of whatever aesthetic property about yourself and they are impossible to deal with...they even go a lil crazy in front of you when reality doesn't meet with their thinking and that's what the GOP is doing.

[ThomCat]

50. Is that it?

He's black and they're all racist?

while those are both true... does that make him a successful president?

Where are his successes with health care, rather than giving us a republican bill that is failing to be implemented even as a limited success?

Where are his successes in restoring regulations on wall street that would have prevented the economic collapse, and will regulate derivatives, and restore honest policing authority within the SEC, and break up the corporations that are "too big to fail" and therefore "too big to exist?" Where is the success implementing that transparency in all those deals that they made through the fed and through wall street that jump started the economy only for the rich, but not for the rest of us, with the true cost only gradually getting uncovered and turning out to be Trillions of dollars of extra debt we'll owe?

Where are his successes in environmental regulations that would put firm caps on greenhouse gasses and reduce total US emissions in compliance with the Kyoto accords? And where are the many new staff people hired by the EPA with all their new regulatory power to monitory and fine corporations found to be polluting? And where are the orders undoing all of Bush's orders dismantling the research libraries and archives and testing sites?

Where are his successes in renegotiating free trade agreements like NAFTA to include mandatory labor and environmental protections? Where are his jobs bills to make reduction of unemployment a top national priority?

Where is his executive order telling departments under him to suspend enforcement of DOMA for the duration of his term while they work on overturning it because they believe it is unconstitutional? Where have been the efforts to support the rights of people to organize within unions?

Where have his successes been in Iraq? Has anyone ever figured out why were were ever even there, or why he kept us there when it was abundantly clear that the was was based entirely on lies, and everyone knew it? Where have his successes been in Afghanistan? Bin Laden was never there, it's still a quagmire, and we all know that we only went there for access to build a pipeline we still can't build. All we've succeeded in doing is restoring the opium crops and destabilizing the lives of the women there far worse than they were before. What successes has he achieved in Libya? Do we have their oil yet? Does anyone honestly think he really earned that Nobel Peace Prize after all of this?

Where are his successes restoring the rule of law? Have tribunals been eliminated? Have the war criminals from the last administration been held responsible for their actions? Have those who choose to violate the civil rights of American Citizens been found and removed from the FBI and the Intelligence agencies? Are whistle-blowers now being heard and listened to, and respected, as he promised in his campaign, instead of hunted and hounded and prosecuted? Have policies been put in place to make sure it can't happen again, such as real greater transparency and respect for activists and dissenters?

Is Obama really succeeding, or are there just a few big photo op events and a lot of spin?

[Terra Alta]

14. I feel the same way.

Obama certainly has my vote in 2012, but I'm not sending any money. Getting OBL aside, I'm just not happy with some of the things Obama is doing right now. Of course, a lot can change between now and then but if Obama keeps giving in the the GOP he won't see one dime from me.

[alcibiades_mystery]

16. Enjoy being outspent by the corporations and losing Medicare and Social Security

Good job!

:eyes:

Why do you think they insisted on Citizens United in the first place? Because Obama demonstrated that the people could outspend the corporate interests in the aggregate, that's why. The two pronged strategy to beat this fact included Citizens United on the one hand, and a concerted effort to demoralize on the other. So congrats on your feeling. Unfortunately, it is not yours, but merely a production of the forces working against us.

Whatever. I can feel the "don't threaten us" nonsense coming already, so I'll leave you to your crew.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

21. I hear ya...

And I suspect you're misreading me.

I didn't say I wouldn't donate, just that I feel uncomfortable doing so.

I just wanted to see if anyone else felt the way I do...

I am open to persuasion, even if it doesn't look like it.

:hi:

[Shiver]

19. Nothing wrong with that.

I've never given a dime to a campaign. I tend to donate my money to organizations that help elect the candidates I want. Why? I dunno. Just makes more sense to me.

[progressoid]

20. You're not alone.

[jimlup]

23. My feelings exactly and I contributed a large amount (for me) in '08 nt

[FrenchieCat]

25. Means I'll have to work twice as hard to have enough money to give twice as much

as I did in 2008, to make up the difference
to simply save our asses, including yours.
Damn.....That ain't fucking fair....
but I guess that I will have to do what I have to
as a frontline soldier fighting for progress in this
country that has been fucked around for the past years and years.
Hope I don't have to hear you complaining too,
as that just adds to the irritation on top of the burden.

[jimlup]

27. Oh well, maybe if your champion had done more to fight for my interests nt

[FrenchieCat]

29. He did a whole lot more than he will ever get credit for.....

but hell, he must be used to that treatment by now.

Good luck to you then, and feel fortunate that there are hopefully
enough of us who care as much as we say we do....

I'd rather punish my bank account monentarily now,
than punish all of us a whole lot more with policies
that will cost us untold amounts.

Guess I'm gonna, once again, put my money where my big mouth is.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FrenchieCat]

46. Yep...Republicans and Democrats are close to being the same.....

Till they aren't.

BTW, I respect the fact that you can't donate because you can't afford to....
as for the rest, I think you are wrong.....

[Logical]

44. I gave $2000 in 2008......

And knocked on doors and made over 300 phone calls. Will give none this year and do no work. But I will vote for him.

[WCGreen]

24. Hell, I check off the public funding box on my 1040 and that is all I can do to impact

the presidential election...

[CaliforniaPeggy]

26. Well, you do what you can...

I suspect that not too many people do that.

[mucifer]

28. I'll vote for him. But, I'm not driving to Indiana to knock on doors like

I did last time.

[FrenchieCat]

30. Governor McDaniels thanks you!

[emilyg]

31. You're not alone.

[OhioChick]

32. I'm right there with you, Peggy n/t

[AtomicKitten]

33. You know what makes me feel very distinctly uncomfortable? Citizens United.

[treestar]

34. Then maybe you don't support his reelection after all?

You know any candidate needs money and that the Republicans have gobs of it.

Obama raised more than the Rs last time, due to volume of small donations from many people.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

35. I have to tell you that I do support his reelection.

I will vote for him.

And I clearly see the consequences of having a Republican in the White House any time soon.

I may even give him some money.

The point of this thread was to ask if anyone else is conflicted the way I am...

[usregimechange]

37. Let me help, Justice Kagan and Justice Sotomayor.

[treestar]

39. +1

So don't give money to Obama and get more Scalias on the court. Yeah, that's rational. :sarcasm:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

41. That's what I said, all right.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

40. I am thrilled with those two!

[unkachuck]

38. "...support Obama's re-election..".

....too early, way too early....

....when I was active in local Union politics, whenever we felt a woman or minority should hold a specific position, we would talk to our opposition to slate a woman or minority for the same position....

....I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Howard Dean will be nominated (and will run) for president on the Republican ticket in 2012....

[dionysus]

45. huh?

[Moral_Imagination]

51. congrats

stupidest post in DU history.

[KoKo]

42. It's too early Peggy. We have to see if that feeling lasts...

But, I gotta tell you...when the DNC keeps calling our house every day and leaving messages...there's something not quite good going on.

I give to my local candidates. Way back in the Kerry days...I was a Precinct Chair. LOL's until I found out that "Precinct Chairs" don't matter in states like I live in. But, that's another story from the 2004 Election ...such as it was.

Obama has a choice. If he captured and killed Bin Laden...then shouldn't we be getting out of Afghanistan? And, what about Iraq? Will we move into Libya?

My vote is based on that. I've given up on Obama for the Economy because he hired Bush's Old Team and hasn't made changes there.

Wait and see is what I'm doing. I'll give it until February of next year. He's got time STILL to do much GOOD. Let's see what he does with that time.

My vote is important to me..but...this is almost impossible to deal with as it is now..for me. And, I'm being honest and a lifelong voting Dem..

[Lindsey]

48. I know some of us have disagreed regarding some of President

Obama's decisions. I have pretty been a supporter all along. He saved G.M., he kept us out of what possibly could have been a depression, he got rid of Don't Ask and don't tell and, IMHO, he's done so much more. There's no question in my mind that I want him as our next President. Thanks for the post Peggy!

[KoKo]

47. BTW...not to be cynical...but this next election has BIG DONORS

because of Supreme Court's ruling...so Obama doesn't really need our money except for postage for mailing those nice photo's he sends me of him and now him and Michelle in the mailings.

I work too hard for my money to pay "postage" for the Democratic Party to send me more polls and photos.

I won't be giving money as long as the BIG DONORS are running both parties. I'm angry about this...and until the Dem Party works harder to fight that ruling...I'm just giving to my local candidates...everything I can spare for the Dem Candidates I know (as best I can) will NOT turn out to be DINO's. And, I'm focusing, in next election much more on Local than National. Because National doesn't matter for us...but who I elect in MY STATE Legislature matters to ME at HOME.

[kentauros]

54. This! ^^

This is what I was thinking, but was too tired to put into decent verbiage :)

So, there's what you are thinking, Peggy! Sign on to the subthread now ;)

[Hannah Bell]

49. don't worry, he doesn't need your money.

[Egnever]

52. Has he asked you for any yet?

Its way early and my bet is that when you actually see him standing next to the alternatives your wallet is going to fly wide open.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

53. Not directly, no...

I have gotten appeals from the DNC, though...

[Raine]

55. I feel the same way ... I'm thrilled by him taking out OBL

but his conservative domestic policies are a major disappointment and absolutely maddening. So I know exactly why I feel as I do. He won't get any money or time from me unless I see a shift to the left domestically. I want him to be re-elected but his billionaire supporters will have to give him what he needs unless there is a big change in direction.

[woo me with science]

56. Yup, except I understand why I feel this way.

[GeorgeGist]

57. It's known as cognitive dissonance.

It's a symptom of mental illness.

[burrfoot]

58. I suppose that was a joke...

but you know that cognitive dissonance is not JUST connected to mental illness, right? It's experienced by anyone who feels or thinks contradictory things at the same time....or whose actions conflict with their beliefs...




:shrug:

[donheld]

59. I feel the same way, sadly.

Not that I have much to give, but I did give in 2008 and feel like Wall Street got the return on my investment instead of me.

[akbacchus_BC]

60. What made you changed your mind CP? I know you canvassed for

Obama and worked really hard!