State Dems push buying card for party loyalty

[MaineDem]

An effort by Democrats to band together to buy cheaper fuel oil and get discounts for other products is putting a new twist on party politics.

Activists are signing up people for their new Donkey Card program, a purchasing cooperative described by backers as a "Sam's Club for progressives." Organizers hope the Donkey Card will build loyalty to the Democratic Party.

The goal is to replicate the social-protection networks that party ward bosses ran generations ago, but without the corruption and patronage that contributed to their demise, said one of the Donkey Card founders, Greg Dumas of Saco.

"People will remember who helped them save hundreds of dollars on heating oil," said Dumas, a longtime York County Democratic activist and a Democratic State Committee member. "People will remember who's out in the community making things happen. We think, in the long run, there will be a real payoff to that service."

http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/2955144.shtml

[54anickel]

1. Well, the author hit one of my hot buttons at the end. Perhaps that's

intentional...I don't know much about the MS or Maine Today. But I wouldn't get a Donkey Card based on it (without doing a lot more research).

Donkey Card is a for-profit corporation, and original investors, such as Noble, hope to eventually transform Donkey Card into a national phenomenon and make some money.

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Oh, I thought the snide remark by the Rep party person set the tone.

"Once again, the Democrats are saying, 'We know what's best and where your money should go,'" she said."

Although this was published in the Sentinel,the writer may work for one of the other Blethen owned papers. Most of the place references are considerably south of Waterville where the Sentinel is published.

Blethen owns the conservative Seattle Times and of the three papers it acquired in Maine only the Portland Press Herald had ever leaned even slightly to the left but neither the Sentinel nor the Portland Press Herald had been a conservative rag in my memory -- they were solidly moderate.


I think the Donkey Card is a dumb idea because of its name and its for-profit status.

[54anickel]

6. Again, it could just be the way it's written, but it just doesn't sound

"Progressive" to me. If it is to win converts of people who are sick of the Republican "Contract on America" or those just fed up with the whole political system it ain't gonna work. Sounds more like, "same profiteering - different mascot". What's in it for me, a scratch for a scratch.

The examples given of where the support is going, "homeless shelters and food banks" hits me wrong as well. Not that I am against them, I support the both in my community. But wouldn't a truly progressive movement want to focus more on the root cause for the needs of such programs in the first place? Wouldn't it be better to attempt to contribute to the eradication poverty to begin with?

Sounds to me like some folks trying to profit on the "bleeding heart" tendencies/stero-type of the left, and everyone's common-sense strategy to try save a buck where they can.

I dunno, I can't explain the "ewwww feeling" I got when reading this any better than that. First thing that came to mind was those businesses that hang that Christian fish logo in their window.

[krkaufman]

7. Somewhat agree.

"I think the Donkey Card is a dumb idea because of its name and its for-profit status."

Well, I'm definitely in agreement that the name isn't the best. I expect it will quickly become referred to as the "Dumbass" or "Jackass" Card. I don't have a real problem w/ the for-profit nature of the card, so long as the company is open and limits its profits, in a co-op fashion.

[napi21]

2. I think it's a GREAT idea, but they're going to have to get a lot of

businesses to join the discount program.

I paid that amount to join Costco, and if you could get something off your utilities, or other necessities, what more info do you need?

[BayCityProgressive]

4. I think it is a great idea too!

What is so bad about it being for-profit? The people running the show have to make something for all the time they spend! They will need a lot of businesses to participate though.

[Davis_X_Machina]

5. I joined...

...800 gal of oil x .40/gal savings = the price of the card.

Worst case, it's a wash.

FWIW, the union my grandfather belonged to sixty years ago did something similar every summer with coal.