Yesterday I received a letter asking for a contribution from the Tammy Baldwin for Senate campaign. I supported Senator Baldwin in 2012 with my wallet and my vote. I love what she has done for Wisconsin and the nation since being elected to the Senate. I will continue to support her in her run for re-election in 2018 and I will endorse her and hope that she wins! I know she will continue to be a solid supporter of everything that is right about the United States.
But yesterday I received a letter asking for a contribution…the fourth one that I have received in recent months…and they have all led with the story from a Poynette town hall where a hate filled constituent held a sign that read “Terminate Unwanted Lesbians”. I realize the hate here. I realize that we can’t reward bigotry. I realize that our current president has emboldened bigots of every timbre. I realize that Senator Baldwin is a very conspicuous target for this kind of hatred. Yes, it makes my blood boil.
But please…when writing to the faithful…we don’t need to continue to deliver this same message again and again and again. I got it the first time. It was a despicable act by a bigot. And I don’t want you or anyone else to be silent in the face of that bigotry and hatred.
But right now I need to hear a positive message from Democrats at all levels of government and running in races in every city and state. What is our message? What are we going to do to help the poor, the unemployed, the uninsured, and yes, all of those at the receiving end of hatred and bigotry.
I am tired of being told I need to contribute out of fear. I am tired of hearing the negative over and over again as a motivator for my participation. I know it’s going to be a tough election. I know it’s going to take a lot of money. I know you will draw national opposition. I know you will be smeared again and again.
But when they go low, I want to see you go high. I am not seeing that…yet.
There are at least 5 county groups fighting for social justice and environmental protection that are being completely ignored by the DPW and their obsession only with their connections to the DNC/DLC and corporate handouts. There is on the ground structure all over the state and it is ignored because the DPW can’t dictate their complete control over it. We understand the platitudes about organizing a grassroots campaign structure which obviously already exists despite the DPW and who will not concede to being co-opted by the DPW.
Fear is all they have because they can’t see what is going on in front of their own noses, too busy to listen but not too busy to dictate. Screw em. Progressives can prevail without the party and fear is the only leverage the incurious and intellectually challenged party is at its core.
sorry typos, meant (end first paragraph “…and groups who will not concede…”
last sentence:
“…has at its core.”
not even…a month later…today I received exactly the same solicitation in the mail…exactly the same solicitation. I am done contributing to Senator Baldwin.
That photo is more damaging than one would have even thought. https://www.facebook.com/Hathery/posts/10158976074745137
I contacted the Baldwin campaign. They stated that they know the individual in the photograph and that this actually happened in Poynette. The individual in the photograph has similar features to your friend’s father but he is not your friend’s father. The campaign says that they have been in contact with your friend’s family to explain the situation.