POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY: It’s a party, it’s a movement, it’s…. SOMETHING TO DO!
LINK TO ELECTOR ADDRESSES:
SAMPLE POSTCARD MESSAGES
http://bit.ly/2fQQHOQ
LINK TO LOG RESULTS OF POSTCARD WRITING
(HOW MANY TO WHICH STATES):
WHAT IS “POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY”?
We are very concerned (as in “freaked out”) citizens who are sending hand-written messages on postcards to members of the Electoral College in three Red states where the vote for the Presidency was extremely close and where there's no laws against electors switching their votes. People are sending different messages, depending on what they feel is important It's YOUR postcard! YOU shape the message.
THE SEVEN BENEFITS OF POSTCARDS 4 DEMOCRACY
1. We might change history. Admittedly it’s a long shot. I won’t go into HOW long a shot it is.
2. We’re planting seeds for a campaign to rid the U.S. of the tragic effect of the Electoral College by 2020. (Go to nationalpopularvote.com for the best idea).
3. We’re building a culture of civility.
4. We’re alleviating our depression and despair through activism.
5. We’re gathering with like-minded souls to create COMMUNITY!
6. We’re spreading beauty in the world through picture postcards.
7. We’re supporting the U.S. Post Office, which could really use a helping hand.
WHAT’S NOT TO LIKE, FOLKS?!?
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Currently, as instructed by the Constitution, the President is not chosen by the votes of the people but rather by the votes of each state's Electors. The Democratic and Republican Parties in each state have their own electors. For example, when you vote for the President in Florida, you actually are voting for either the Florida Democratic electors or the Florida Republican electors.
The President of the United States will actually be elected on December 19, 2016 when the state electors vote. This system can result in someone being elected President who did not actually receive the most votes, which is what will happen unless we make a big enough effort to change the minds of the Electors.
If we can convince 37 Electors to switch, then Trump is no longer the President-Elect. If they all switch to Clinton, we will have a democratically elected President! There's also the possibility of a compromise candidate, which would be MUCH better than what is happening now! Want to try to change history?
TAKE ACTION WITH US! IT'S EASY!
Option 1: Write your own postcards! (Elector addresses are listed above)
Option 2: Attend a Postcards 4 Democracy Party!
Option 3: Host a Postcards 4 Democracy Party! If it's open to the public, we will help you publicize it on social media!
WHAT DO YOU NEED?
1. Postcard stamps ("forever" or 34 cents)
2. Ten or more postcards for each guest if you're hosting
3. The address list (link above)
I WILL REIMBURSE ANYONE FOR POSTCARDS AND STAMPS. HONEST. Email me your address and I’ll send you a check to reimburse you.
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE?
Your message should be personal to YOU. Of course, discuss it with others, have people suggest, critique. But we are going for NOT standardized here.
For instance, you can urge the Elector to do one of several things:
1. Vote their conscience
2. Vote for the winner of the national popular vote
3. Vote for anyone but Trump because he has demonstrated his unfitness for office since he was "elected"
SAMPLE POSTCARD MESSAGES
http://bit.ly/2fQQHOQ
BE CIVIL. We’re appealing directly to the goodness and fairness of another human being. We are asking to be heard. "You idiot, do the right thing or I'll firebomb your house!" tends to be counter-productive.
My best message so far: "Dear Elector (name here): Please consider casting your vote for the candidate who won the national popular vote by more the one million!
It is terrible that, in the U.S.A., every person’s vote is not equal. How can we call ourselves a democracy? You have the power to help correct this injustice. Please use your vote to make democracy stronger.” (It was a big postcard.)
Definitely sign your name. I also put my address.
Please, no address labels! Hand-write entire postcard!
WHAT KIND OF POSTCARDS?
IF YOU LIVE IN THE BAY AREA, YOU CAN PICK UP POSTCARDS FROM US.
(Not all post offices sell postcards, but some do. If you can find some, that's the easiest. If not:)
1. Easiest: Buy packets of Avery (or other) postcards – 4 on each 8 ½ X 11 sheet. 200 in every packet. Put address on one side, message on other. They’re in the “label” section of office supply stores. You can also print one of your own pretty photos on these sheets, giving you picture postcards.
2. Next easiest: Buy picture postcards in drug stores, museums, gift shops. Go for pretty, interesting, patriotic, nature, traditional art -- but NOT political, subversive, lefty, raunchy or boundary-pushing in any way. Van Gogh: Yes. Picasso: No. San Francisco/New York City images: No. Everywhere else: Yes.
3. Make your own picture postcards by printing out your 4X6 photos, and back them with 4X6 labels to make them sturdy. I happen to have many 4x6 photos of my beautiful garden. I have no idea why I printed out so many. But I’m using them now.
The advantage of a picture postcard is that you’re giving the Elector a little gift, putting out some beauty into the world.
THESE ARE THE IDEAS FROM THE FIRST “P4D” PARTY. IF YOU WANT TO MAIL 2000 PICASSO POSTCARDS, PLEASE DO IT!
PLEASE TELL ME HOW MANY YOU MAILED TO WHICH STATES. We are keeping a log of how many postcards have been sent to which states. Here is the link to that log:
LINK TO LOG TO RECORD RESULTS OF POSTCARD WRITING
(HOW MANY TO WHICH STATES):
With love and gratitude,
Terry Baum
terry@terrybaum.com
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THIS IS ONE MY FAVORITE PHOTOS FROM WHEN I RAN FOR MAYOR OF SF:
ELLEN TRYING TO MAKE PHONE CALLS FOR THE CAMPAIGN
WHILE MY PUP LIZZIE TRIES TO KISS HER.
DEMOCRACY AT ITS FINEST! |
