Serious questions about the "Unity Dinner"

[no name no slogan]

Sorry to seem like a wet blanket on the Unity Dinner lovefest, but I have some questions about what we're really saying with this event.

Apparently it was $1000 to get into this event. I don't know about you, but as a person of fairly modest means that's a lot of money. It's more than some working people take home in a month.

What kind of message are we sending to the party rank-and-file? Are we saying that "sure, you can play with us, but only if you've got a pile of cash to give us. Otherwise, get lost-- except at the voting booth".

Most people in this country are cynical about politicians for this very reason: it looks like it's all about the money, and your opinion doesn't mean fcukall if you aren't willing to pony up. Events like this one DO NOT help our image with potential voters of modest means (what used to be called "our base" back in the old days). All it does is alienate them from the party-- which is EXACTLY what the Repubs are hoping for this fall.

Does anybody remember the first Clinton inaugural? IIRC, instead of a formal ball, Bubba had "backyard barbecue" that cost only a few bucks to get into. He opened it up to everybody. Although I later came to disagree with many of his policies, this one move showed that at least he gave half a damn about those folk of modest means could participate in.

Sure, we should celebrate unity. But what kind of "unity" are we celebrating with events that only the richest 5% of the population can afford to attend?