What is the deal with the request from President Obama

[MISSDem]

for a monthly donation of $15.00 or more to fund the "fight for the middle class"? Who else got this request? I cannot believe it. These politicians live like royalty and ask me to fund the work they are supposed to be doing anyway. Gie me a break!

[gateley]

1. I kind of like the idea -- being able to help out those who need it, not relying

on tax or other sources that would get the RW screaming, and maybe helping to fill in the holes where programs in place aren't currently reaching.

[Fire1]

3. Democrats have traditionally been community oriented. I plan

to contribute, as well.

[gateley]

7. I went back and looked at the e-mail after reading the OP, but didn't see one

that specifically asked for a $15/mo plan. Did you receive one that did? Am I missing something? The one I got had me sign a petition, but the donate link seemed generic. I was hoping, again from the OP, that there is a specific Middle Class fund of some sort. Can you help me out here? Thanks!

[Fire1]

8. hold on a minute. I'll check.

[gateley]

9. Thanks -- standing by. (The one I rec'd was from Obama, by the way) nt

[Fire1]

10. Yep. Got the same letter from him but not requesting $15.00.

As always, there's a donation box but not specifically, fifteen dollars. I searched through other political e-mails and found nothing like that from anyone or any organization.

[gateley]

11. Thanks. I think it would be a good idea, but I do want the money to be earmarked

specifically for helping the Middle Class. :(

I really appreciate your effort! :hi:

[Fire1]

14. Any time. If you find out anything along those lines, please

let us know.:hi:

[gateley]

17. Will do. :-) nt

[MISSDem]

15. Here is the one I received.

http://mail.live.com/default.aspx?wa=wsignin1.0
I cannot do it alone‏
From: President Barack Obama ([e-mail])
Sent: Wed 1/27/10 11:01 PM
To:

Edna --

I just finished delivering my first State of the Union address.

I set out an urgent plan for restoring economic security for struggling middle class families. This is my top priority, but I cannot do it alone -- and that's why I'm writing to you now.

Tonight, I called on Congress to enact reforms and new initiatives to defend the middle class -- to create millions of new jobs, support small businesses, and drive up wages; to invest in the education of our children and the clean energy technology that must power our future; and to protect the economy from reckless Wall Street abuses.

And I made my position on health reform clear: We must not walk away. We are too close, and the stakes are too high for too many. I called on legislators of both parties to find a way to come together and finish the job for the American people.

I have no illusions -- there have been setbacks, and there will be more to come. The special interests who have shaped the status quo will keep fighting tooth and nail to preserve it.

So tonight, I'm asking you to join me in the work ahead. I need your voice. I need your passion. And I need your support.

Can you help fuel our fight for the middle class with a monthly donation of $15 or more?

https://donate.barackobama.com/StateOfTheUnion

We have just finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But a new year has come. A new decade stretches before us. We don't quit. I don't quit. Let's seize this moment -- to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.

Thank you for making it possible,

President Barack Obama

[Hekate]

2. self delete

[flpoljunkie]

4. From Organizing for America, an arm of the DNC?

[Vincardog]

5. I got that request. I sent it back with the message "End the tax breaks for sending jobs overseas,

pass public financing of elections and you will not have to ask for money".

[phleshdef]

6. Funny, President Obama called for BOTH of those items last night.

[dionysus]

21. talking to a dining room table.. you are.

yoda off.

[boppers]

12. Middle class? What about the working class? The poor?

Heck, compared to the working class, the middle class live like kings.

[frazzled]

13. I was miffed at being asked for money (again) ... but on the other hand

Organizing for America doesn't run fully on hopes and dreams. I was contacted to make phone calls to Massachusetts at a local OFA office on the northside of Chicago. They had staff members there (whether volunteer or not, I do not know), had printed out all the lists and scripts for everyone, and had about 8 telephones from which we made calls. That costs money for rent and phonelines and office supplies. We were trying (too late) to get a Democrat elected in Massachusetts.

Just to maintain their interactive Web volunteering mechanisms must involve a fair amount of staff and equipment.

Look, we are asked for donations here at least four times per year. It costs money to run this site, too. I cut them slack. They are trying to form an activist volunteer corps for the upcoming elections.

[Lord Helmet]

16. so let me get this straight --

People don't want corporate money in elections and now you're miffed because the party is asking for small donations from rank and file democrats.

Don't you think that's a tad unreasonable?

[MISSDem]

18. Unreasonable. Give $15.00 or more every month.

I already "donate" about 30% of my income and then there are the taxes that aren't called taxes, ie, like on your phone bill, etc. I also give over $100 a month to United Way and also to my other charities. Are you going to donate every month to "fight for the middle class"?

[dionysus]

20. you give 100 bux a month to the rethugs favorite charity, and you're bitching about a $15

solicitation?
:crazy:

[dionysus]

19. well, you gotta be constantly pissed about something.. i suppose...

[Clio the Leo]

22. Scott Brown supporters (teabaggers) raised a $1 million a day for him...

.... in the last week of his campaign .... cash is the lifeblood of political campaigns .... sure, Obama won in 2008 because volunteers were out working for him, but he also raised $700 million during the campaign .... and he needed EVERY DIME.

If we dont donate to the DNC now ..... the GOP get it from us next year via the legislation the Republican controlled Congress passes.

The choice is yours.

[DFLforever]

23. You know, you don't have to give any money if you don't feel

like it. So why bother to be outraged by the request.

In future, stop reading before you reach the "donate" button. You'll feel much better.

[treestar]

24. Isn't this better than taking the money from the corporations?

:shrug:

We complain enough about the influence they have.