By Dan on Apr 8, 2008 in Politics
Have you ever been so inspired by a political candidate that you burned vacation days to campaign for their election, with no expectation of personal reward, such as a cushy job or plum government contract?
I know that Will does this and I’m sure some of you others have as well. While I respect your commitment, I don’t understand how you could give of yourself so selflessly to advance the career and ambitions of a stranger (I could see passing petitions for a friend, maybe.) Or is there an idealism and deep-seated belief in democracy here that’s lost on me?
During my college years, when the seeds of political participation are often planted, I was the antithesis of the Young Turk. The Quincy campus wasn’t exactly a hot bed of activism. The only thing that could ever raise our rancor and cause us to lash out against injustice was new restrictions on where and when alcohol could be consumed. If the City of Quincy had rescinded the right to vote for people under the age of 25, I doubt anyone would have minded as long as the cops were cool about not busting house parties.
I’m not proud of my youthful ignorance and apathy. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more aware of the political surroundings, but apathy has been replaced by cynicism, leaving me no closer to a rally or campaign headquarters than back in the day when Larry’s Tavern was our pubic square and serious discourse centered on shuffleboard and euchre etiquette.
So what is it that makes one soldier on for a candidate? And aren’t you inevitably disappointed when the person you so tirelessly beat the drum for doesn’t do the things she promised to do? I’m ready to be enlightened here and have my cynicism challenged, so impassion me with the fervor of a true believer.
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No true-believer fervor here, Dan. Just more cynical mockery of those types.
What I don’t get is how just by opening his mouth, Barack Obama can make supposedly rational adults swoon like a 12-year-old girl with a subscription to Tiger Beat.
I sort of have to LOL at those people. Sure, he talks a good (if ultimately hollow and meaningless) game, but Obama is as full of crap as everybody else.
He’s a human being with flaws, just like the rest of us. He still puts his pants on one leg at a time. The only difference is that when his pants are on, he can get people to give him $50 million a month.
Anonymous Communist | Apr 8, 2008 | Reply
But he’s so dreamy…..
nancy | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
You got me there, Nancy.
Anonymous Communist | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Weird. I find that I agree with you very often on your blogs, including this one. Why then do we argue so much outside of it?
M.B. | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Because you come across as an ass in person.
Dan | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
I am with you on this point. I get so sick and tired of hearing the same old crap come from every politician’s mouth that I throw up a little in my own. I can’t get excited about anyone who chooses to run for office, because I don’t (or can’t) relate to that type of person. I certainly can’t envision a scenario that would cause me to take time from my schedule (or watching paint dry) to go out and pound the pavement for any of those Bozos.
What could possibly motivate anyone to campaign for a President? Good Lord, what a colossal waste of time that would be. Spend four vacation days, two sick days, and weekends ignoring your kids to get a President elected, for what? So you can frame your 8 x 10 photo with a computer signature and your name spelled wrong.
Thank you Don Nameovish!
Yours truly,
Barack, Hillary, or John (Does it really matter?)
Art Vandalay | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
It amazes me that it bothers people how others spend their free time. It’s become complete schtick to just bash politicians, the political process, voting, campaigning, et. al. The whole “jaded” thing is just so played out, mostly by people who have nothing else to say.
I dare suggest that it’s a defensive tactic because so few have the get-up-and-go to actually become active in the process, so it’s easier to rationalize that it’s a waste of time for star struck schmucks. I have only volunteered (and minimally) on three campaigns and it’s because of laziness. But I wouldn’t dare suggest that those who have the drive to do so are wasting their time.
Don’t campaign. Don’t support a candidate. Don’t vote. But don’t knock people who care to.
nancy | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Completely unrelated to your blog, but interesting nonetheless…
FYI for all your FOTC fans, recently heard the show is returning with new episodes January 2009 and Bret & Jemaine will be appearing at the Chicago Theatre May 14th. Check out the mother flippin’ show!
BLT | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
I’ve told my better half that May 14 is a must day-off for both of us. If she meets resistance, she’s been told to say she’s tired of all those mutha uckas uckin’ with her shi’
Unpainted Huffhines | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
Good, then its working.
M.B. | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
“jaded”
Nixon, Carter, Berry, Clinton, Ryan, Blagojevich, Sanitary District Board, DeLay, Kerik, Cunningham, Frank, Packwood, Rostenkowski, Traficant, Ney, ect., ect., ect.
Pretty good reasons to be “jaded” I think.
Captain America | Apr 9, 2008 | Reply
What a coincidence! I just received the second disc of season one of FOTC in the mail yesterday. And, I just finished watching the episode that Nick so phonetically referenced.
Dan | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
“Ain’t no party like my nana’s tea partay…hey!ho!”
nancy | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Who’s up for a BlogFree convoy to this show?! A ffirm a tive!!
BLT | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Have you ever been so inspired by a baseball team that you burned vacation days to cheer them on to victory, with no expectation of personal reward, such as increased personal baseball skills through osmosis?
While I respect your commitment to your team, I don’t understand how you could give of yourself so selflessly to advance the career and ambitions of a team of overpaid strangers (I could see cheering for a friend, maybe.) Or is there an idealism and deep-seated belief in baseball here that’s lost on me?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become much more aware of the national league standings, but apathy has been replaced by cynicism.
So what is it that makes one soldier on for a team? And aren’t you inevitably disappointed when the team you so tirelessly cheer on doesn’t do the things they are paid so handsomely to do? I’m ready to be enlightened here and have my cynicism challenged, so impassion me with the fervor of a true fan.
nancy | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Nancy,
Baseball bores the hell out of me, but I get your point.
I read an interesting report and analysis on the netroots Dean campaign, and the authors determined that many of the volunteers weren’t really in it for Dean, they were in it for themselves. They liked the social aspects and camaraderie of the campaign, and spoke of the highs and lows of the election as personal triumphs and setbacks. Not unlike how a diehard sports fan internalizes a game or season.
I never said people shouldn’t volunteer on campaigns, I just wondered what the motivation was. Just as high-priced and selfish athletes have caused my interest in sports to wane over the years, equivocating, dishonest or corrupt politicians have caused me to not want to cheer at their rallies or stuff their promises into envelopes.
I agree we have a responsibility to vote, but I don’t think that it’s any way undemocratic to sit out of the campaign process, nor do I think that those who do get involved are any more virtious or less lazy.
Thanks for commenting,
Dan
Dan | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Dan
But if you have a responsibility to vote, don’t you feel like you should have some say in who you get to vote for? I don’t think it’s necessarily undemocratic to sit out of the campaign proceess, but I do heartily disagree that those who do get involved are less lazy. Wouldn’t you think that you are less lazy than a person who didn’t train for and run a half marathon? Honestly?
My baseball analogy was meant to show that everyone enjoys different pasttimes and while a baseball game might seem more enjoyable, campaigning might seem more important. A volunteer out actively supporting their candidate has a much greater chance of affecting the “score”, so to speak than a fan in the stands at Busch or Wrigley. I just think it’s unfair to classify a group of people as participating in an ineffective process. Just as Obama might not know or care that he has fervent nameless supporters, neither does Albert Pujols.
You have used this blog on occasion to support efforts which you believe in (Little Flower’s auction, SHG’s bid for the state title). Do you think your mention of these events was worthless? Do you think you affected others’ opinions? Do you think you moved anyone to action? I have to think you do, or why would you have bothered mentioning them? It might not have motivated a single person to support what you support, but that doesn’t mean it was done in vain. They are just some things that you value and support and I think it’s great that you’re willing to “campaign” for them. And I DO think it makes you less lazy than people who don’t rally for anything.
I am not surprised at all by the discoveries of Dean’s supporters. I think that’s true of nearly anyone who does something intrinsically “good”. I participate in several charity events and at least partially, it’s because it makes ME feel good.
But I think, especially in grass roots movements and in younger voters, they really believe they have found someone who breaks the mold when it comes to politicians. I would venture to say that a good number of supporters have no delusions of getting jobs, kickbacks or any other benefits from their volunteerism. They just really feel like they’ve found the right person for the job. Because let’s face it, the people who really ARE going to get all those “plum” jobs aren’t the ones ringing doorbells and making phone calls.
nancy | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
I’m not one to put a lot of stock into the media’s portrayal of an event as they often twist it to their own benefit.
That being said, I found the picture in a recent edition of the SJ-R of a “psycho” protestor shouting in the face of a rather docile-looking Chinese woman very telling. An Anglo-looking male fiercely shouting at a small female about presumably something that is happening thousands of miles away from him and has no direct effect on his life.
Appears to be the epitome of the nut cases who blindly follow a person or cause. Which is what I think Dan was, to some degree, hinting at in his blog.
Ok, now let me have it about how my apathy is causing the Tibetan monks to suffer.
By the way Dan, it appears to me that you just don’t have the strength to argue right now. Did that run take that much out of you?
M.B. | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Mrs. UH and I will be getting our FotC tickets tomorrow. Although, looking at the route, it seems like Murray must have planned it.
They’re going from D.C. to Ann Arbor (of all places) over consecutive nights, Then they’re hopscotching in odd directions across the midwest (Michigan-Wisconsin-Minnesota-Illinois). Finally, after the Chicago show, they’re going all the way to Denver. I think they need to have a band meeting to make that travel a little less hectic.
Unpainted Huffhines | Apr 10, 2008 | Reply
Now be careful there UH, Murray has a thankless job. Booking gigs, organizing their fan base, making robot costumes…all while being an advocate for New Zealand.
Oh man, Rock Rob and I want to go to that concert SO BAD, but the middle of the week makes it prohibitve since we have school aged kids. Just can’t make someone else have to get them up and out the door in the morning. God, am I in a super funk now
nancy | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
I apologize for being so stupid, but what is FotC?
Anonymous Communist | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Anon,
Flight of the Conchords (FotC) is a very funny HBO show about two New Zealanders trying to forge a musical career in America. If you don’t have HBO, I highly recommend renting the DVDs, as I have.
Dan | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Dan
Sometime when you’re in the neighborhood, stop in and watch our DVR’d HBO special of the Conchords (we didn’t catch it from the very beginning but have quite a bit of the show taped.) The live versions of “Albie the Racist Dragon” and “Boom” are fantastic. Does Bret remind you a bit of one of the Sancho boys?
nancy | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
I’d say “Brit” looks more like Joe, but his delivery is more Danny-like.
Dan | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Dan
Yeah,that sounds about right.
UH
I hope you’ll report back with lots of details from the show. I’ll put money on a ridiculous number of Mel lookalikes wearing pastel colored all-weather jackets and t-shirts with pictures of the boys on them.
nancy | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
UH – Did you & the Mrs. manage to get tickets? Me and Mr. B did and will be enjoying the show from the box seated section. Tickets through ticketmaster seem to have sold out but are still available for at least $140 each if money and school aged kids aren’t an issue!
While our family cheers for the Cardinals, its tough during years of so-called “transition” when they don’t play as well as the year before. For us, going to one game at Busch each year is a family tradition – Cards winning or losing – and something we look forward to experiencing with the kids. I can’t say that I watch or listen to every game all season long, but having that score to check this time of year is always the basis for an “Yeeeess!” or an “Dang it” in our house.
Its not as community-service based as supporting a political candidate but it does provide a sense of belonging and something other than reality t.v. to talk about!
BLT | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
M.B. wrote: “That being said, I found the picture in a recent edition of the SJ-R of a “psycho” protestor shouting in the face of a rather docile-looking Chinese woman very telling. An Anglo-looking male fiercely shouting at a small female about presumably something that is happening thousands of miles away from him and has no direct effect on his life.
Appears to be the epitome of the nut cases who blindly follow a person or cause. Which is what I think Dan was, to some degree, hinting at in his blog.”
I know some people will dismiss me writing this because I’m liberal but I think what you’re describing here is characteristic of conservatism in particular. Most people who get deeply involved in issue oriented politics are motivated by something that happened to them personally. There’s a union drive at their job, they wanted something in their neighborhood fixed, they realized a war they served in was unjust, or someone wanted to build a shopping mall on the wetlands near their house, etc.
And on the other side there are always political movements that define a weaker “other” to blame and be angry at like the guy yelling at a Chinese woman. I see it every time someone in Springfield complains about illegal immigrants. How many illegal immigrants are there in central Illinois and who exactly are they harming? I always ask for one example of how their lives are worse because of illegal immigrants and no one has an answer yet. Its just the latest weaker group to define as the “them” since hating black people isn’t socially acceptable anymore. The KKK and fascism are obvious, more extreme examples but they use the same psychological tactics to manipulate people.
Anyway, I think its important to distinguish between political movements people are engaged in to improve the lives of themselves and others and movements based on anger and demonizing others. And while I can think of a few historical examples of authoritarian left movements that relied on demonizing a group, its usually extremist conservative ones that rely on motivating people based on anger against a smaller, weaker group.
Will | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Since you mentioned my blog (thanks) I guess I should respond. I’ve spent a lot of time both volunteering and working professionally for election campaigns and issue oriented groups. The first campaign I got involved in was Durbin’s US Senate (‘96) and I’m having a hard time remembering why. In college I knew I wanted a career where I could feel like I was being of service to others in some way. Medicine was out because I can’t stand the blood and guts, teaching didn’t interest me, and I gradually decided working in the non-profit/political world was a way I could do something positive that I enjoyed. Working in a boring job where I don’t feel like I’m doing anything positive or meaningful is my worst nightmare. I don’t think anyone would be as involved as I am if they didn’t enjoy it.
Since then I’ve seen how most elections and actions by government are the result of people choosing not to do anything. Right now many people involved in political campaigns (below the Presidential level) are motivated by what they can get out of it financially for themselves. Whether its Bush’s former top campaign contributor Enron wanting deregulation, the Chamber of Commerce wanting lower taxes for businesses, a corporate polluter that doesn’t want to be forced to clean up their mess, someone wanting a local construction contract, or someone who wants a patronage job. Some people involved in either party in Springfield could care less about the issues. They picked one of two teams that are basically working for the same thing: getting more taxpayer funds for their side.
So what happens when those are the only people involved? We see things like the recent Metro Sanitary Board controversy that happened because no one bothered to pay attention. We see people who already have millions lining their pockets at taxpayer expense because no one is watching. The great thing about cynicism (for them) is that it makes honest people stay away from the process which then makes it easier for the corrupt to continue doing all of the lousy things that people are cynical about.
And yes, part of it is social. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that motivation. It’s good to bring people together in a community and make new friends. Campaigns are one of the few times I see people who usually work on very different political issues come together for a common project. Its a good thing to have people who usually work seperately on the environment, unions, peace, civil rights or other issues all in the same room working together and getting to know eachother. I’ve seen a few losing campaigns that did a lot of good for the community because of the long term relationships and connections formed.
And yes, any candidate is going to disappoint you sooner or later. Even my favorite elected officials have done things I have to shake my head at. But what keeps me going is that every once in a while I can point at something good and remember that I was one part of making that happen and maybe I’ll be able to help make something else good happen down the road.
Will | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
To AnonCom: If you ever want to borrow the “Flight of the Conchords” DVD, you’re welcome to do so from me. I think you’d greatly enjoy it.
To BLT: I logged on right at noon and was able to get right-center floor seats in probably the 30th row (they go AA-PP and then A-whatever, and we’re in row D). A friend of ours from here is going with us as well. I can’t wait. Their full-length album comes out April 22, as well. Glad you guys got tickets; you’ll have to wave to us. I’ll be the normal-looking guy with a woman with impossibly long, curly hair and a stylish guy probably wearing a suit jacket over a button-down.
To Nancy: I will remember all of Murray’s many duties next time I question him. I can only hope that the “Doggie Bounce” fame will not have gone to his head, and he will rejoin our fair heroes in Season Two. And I will, of course, provide extensive details of the Chicago show on Unpainted Huffhines. It’s part of an unofficial rounds-making for “FotC” folks, as the Mrs. and I saw Arj Barker (Dave) do stand-up in SF on our honeymoon. Sorry that you and Rock Rob can’t make it.
Unpainted Huffhines | Apr 11, 2008 | Reply
Dan, just curious: Do you think if you’d attended a college/university where activism was more present, you’d have been more politically active back then? I often wonder that myself. I was so sheltered during those QC days…I couldn’t have told you the differences between Republicans and Democrats, nor did I care. I don’t think there was much going on around us to propel us into action. And the larger scope…the country, the world…I was equally clueless and apathetic.
Kath | Apr 12, 2008 | Reply
Kath,
As much as I loved my Quincy years, I often think about the things I missed by not going to a bigger school. It’s possible I would have become political in different surroundings. The only thing I knew about politics was that Ed was a Democrat and Rich from Mass. was a Republican.
If I went to a bigger school, I also might have picked up a guitar sooner, and with more purpose, and joined a band. That’s my true regret.
Had I been smarter, I would have gone to grad school in a big city after graduation, instead of going to grad school in Springfield after I already had a family.
Someday I’m going to write about why QC was such a great place to go to school. But first, I have to get beyond what I missed.
Thanks for commenting,
Dan
Dan | Apr 13, 2008 | Reply
Dan, don’t sound so disappointed about “what could have been”. They always say hind sight is 20/20. Hell, if we looked back at what could have been, I would have studied more and drank a WHOLE LOT LESS. I have no regrets about QC, what’s done is done. Look forward to what you can control, your future. You can’t change the past my friend.
Now, if I would have only lied to the college board about that keg……..hmmmmmmmm ?
Chaz | Apr 14, 2008 | Reply