How much does a $25-$50 donation matter to politicians?

[Uglyowl]

Campaign finances are big money, so I am questioning how much of a message $25- $50 donation here and there makes? I (and most of us) will never be able to compete with corporations and most organizations.

While it isn’t a huge dent in my finances, the amount I have donated to pro-poker causes this year is about what I spend on my kid for Christmas each year.

Is it worth it? I have mixed feelings:

- Not a lot of people feel strongly enough to donate to a political cause/ politician so we stand out.
- Our money is couch change compared to some other avenues politicians have.

Honestly I have no idea.

[poorolrich]

One person's donation does not make a difference but, 1,000,000 people's donation can turn the tide.

[oldbookguy]

Interesting question.

For impact though, I would think if 500-1000 poker players all donated 25.00 each in a 24 hour period with a note about poker, that may make an impact, more so than a PAC donating an equal amount.

Something for us to think about as time draws nearer to getting legislation passed.

obg

[PBJaxx]

[ QUOTE ]
Interesting question.

For impact though, I would think if 500-1000 poker players all donated 25.00 each in a 24 hour period with a note about poker, that may make an impact, more so than a PAC donating an equal amount.

Something for us to think about as time draws nearer to getting legislation passed.

obg

[/ QUOTE ]

I really like this idea. Does anyone else think this could be affective. If this gets organized, sign me up.

[kidpokeher]

I like the idea, but I am disgusted at the fact American politics has sunk so low ideas like this would be considered.

[oldbookguy]

Yes, it is sad.

Here is a true story a friend in virginia related to me, I can find the news story if you want.

Last year there was a bill in Va. (they have 2 gambling laws, skill & chance).

The bill specifically said poker was skill. Actually in 1 city, Portsmouth, they run games, the D A there says skill.

Anyway, it went through the House committee like 90% yes, the full house only 2 no's.

Went to Senate committee, passed 100%, went to full Senate, NEVER voted on.

BTW, the bill was asked for by the Fraternal Order of Police, who were sponsoring the games in Portsmouth, Va.

Anyway, the Senate President told the FOP, come back next year with some lobbying money, there is no opposition, just you all have no money.

That is the sad state of politics in America today.

obg

[DeadMoneyDad]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, it is sad.

Here is a true story a friend in virginia related to me, I can find the news story if you want.

Last year there was a bill in Va. (they have 2 gambling laws, skill & chance).

The bill specifically said poker was skill. Actually in 1 city, Portsmouth, they run games, the D A there says skill.

Anyway, it went through the House committee like 90% yes, the full house only 2 no's.

Went to Senate committee, passed 100%, went to full Senate, NEVER voted on.

BTW, the bill was asked for by the Fraternal Order of Police, who were sponsoring the games in Portsmouth, Va.

Anyway, the Senate President told the FOP, come back next year with some lobbying money, there is no opposition, just you all have no money.

That is the sad state of politics in America today.

obg

[/ QUOTE ]

This is also a good answer to the question of what good lobbiests do. There are many ways to both pass a bill, like sticking it on to must pass legislation, and a ton of ways to kill even the most popular of bills.

You can be use our opponets have a team of lobbiests adapt at the "parlmentary procedures" (tricks), but knowing the reputation of "ours" and having met a few of them, I like our chances.

But just becuase we have one of the best teams in D.C. doesn't mean we can sit back and expect them to carry the day. We have to do the work that gives them the leverage to utilize every trick in their play books.

Write every letter T.E. composes or get creative and write one of your own. Make the phone calls. Even more important will be next year when volunteer hours will have the most leverage.

The NRA gets respect because in election cycles they are one of the best orgainized volunteer groups in US politics.

Either mentaly or phisically mark some time off on your calendars for '08 now! Even at about 1 million members we have plenty of members in each CD and State to make a major mark in the political process.

If we do '08 the way we are capible of doing we can get the best deal possible with the new Congress and Administration.

If every member of the PPA only gave up one "sesion"'s time that is a few million volunteer hours, that number changes politics!

Commit yourselves to this now and imagine the future...


D$D

[Uglyowl]

[ QUOTE ]
BTW, the bill was asked for by the Fraternal Order of Police, who were sponsoring the games in Portsmouth, Va.

Anyway, the Senate President told the FOP, come back next year with some lobbying money, there is no opposition, just you all have no money.

That is the sad state of politics in America today.

obg

[/ QUOTE ]

Very interesting because on the National Coalition Against Legalized Gambling website they list FOP as against gambling. Since I have donated money to them in the past, I called to inquire and turns out they came out against gambling 10 years ago when they thought it was connected to the mob. They lobbied to crack down on gambling and their name has stuck ever since. Quite the full circle, their efforts bit them in the backside.

http://www.ncalg.org/Library/interne...%20booklet.pdf

Common Myths About UIGEA
Myth: UIGEA was enacted by stealth without majority support or public consideration.
Fact: UIGEA was the culmination of a ten year Congressional effort that involved several votes of
overwhelming support (including a 317-93 vote by the House of Representatives on July 11,
2006), numerous public hearings and many committee markups.

Myth: UIGEA is only supported by the “religious right.”
Fact: Internet gambling legislation was originally introduced at the request of the State Attorneys
General. They were joined by groups as diverse as professional sports leagues and the NCAA,
several major financial institutions and associations, and the Fraternal Order of Police.

[whangarei]

I had a similar question regarding charity donations. What good is my $50 donation to a large charity that may be supported by Bill and Melinda Gates? So I called up a charity and they told me slightly more than half of their "income" is from small donors like me. Probably similar for political donations.

[cbfair]

I'd say it's making an increasingly large difference, especially when small donations come in large numbers. Every quarter during the election season (seemingly all the time these days), campaigns announce their fundraising totals; These last few years, small donations from hundreds of thousands of individual donors are getting alot of notice. This is true far more so in democratic circles than republican but I think both parties are trying to court individuals more and more.

While one single donation won't turn any heads, a concerted effort to drive funds one way or the other can raise significant capital. Without endorsing one general political view or the other, I would direct anyone interested in the power of small donations in politics to visit ActBlue. Their banner says they've raised over $30 Million since 2004 and they've been very successful at creating competitive races in formerly "safe" districts. I'd guess the average donation to a particular candidate is well under $100.

I haven't been following the Poker legislation closely but my guess is that the primary proponents are Dems. If so, then someone may want to create a list of poker friendly candidates at ActBlue and see how much the 2P2 community can raise. It may get noticed.