... and expeditious!

Could've used some Powdermilk Biscuits today before heading over to put in some volunteer time at the Sestak for Congress HQ.

You may remember Powdermilk Biscuits as one of the fictitious sponsors of "A Prairie Home Companion" -- they're made from "Whole wheat that gives shy persons the strength to get up and do what needs to be done."

Not that I'm actually a "shy person" exactly, but I was working the phone bank, and there's something about cold-calling people I don't know that makes me feel like a shy person. The very words "phone bank" seem to induce a shortness of breath and tightness in the chest. The actual experience is never as bad as I anticipate, just as none of the actual calls is ever as bad as the idea of them seems to be, yet completing one of those calls -- or 20 of those calls -- never seems to create a calming sense of "There, that wasn't so bad." That calming realization would, I suppose, be a rational response, but my aversion to phone-banking doesn't seem to be a wholly rational thing. So let's just say that volunteering on a phone bank is not my forte and not something I particularly enjoy.

But the Sestak campaign needs volunteers to work their phone banks and, well, I need them to get what they need because I live in Pennsylvania's 7th District and because the residents of this district -- and of the rest of America, and of the rest of the world, actually -- really, really need to see Curt Weldon replaced by someone honest and sane. So, you know, choose your pain. I'd rather spend the next six months cold-calling strangers than spend another two years misrepresented in Congress by a delusional, cronyist, dishonest machine politician who thinks the Rev. Sun Myung Moon should be crowned Messiah and Emperor. The thought of this incompetent incumbent works just like Powdermilk Biscuits to give this shy person "the strength to get up and do what needs to be done."

Happily, I learned today of many other volunteer opportunities with Sestak for Congress that seem less panic-inducing. Literature drops? Lots of walking, no phone calls. No problem.

I realized today as well that I've written quite a bit about reasons to vote against Curt Weldon, but not as much about reasons to vote for Joe Sestak. There are many such reasons, and I'll get to them down the line. For now, you can read some of the former Vice Admiral's positions on his campaign site: economic security, education, health care, national defense and other issues. Good stuff.

Oh, and for those of you who don't live down the block from the campaign office, here's another way you can help.

Comments

[Jen R]

The actual experience is never as bad as I anticipate, just as none of the actual calls is ever as bad as the idea of them seems to be, yet completing one of those calls -- or 20 of those calls -- never seems to create a calming sense of "There, that wasn't so bad."

I feel exactly the same way about phone banking. It's awful. I much prefer canvassing door-to-door, and it seems much more effective, too. In my experience, there's a better chance that people will listen when you knock on their door than when you call them on the phone. I think perhaps they appreciate that if you're going door-to-door, you're putting in that much more effort. It's still an interruption, but at least you're working for it.

[JS Bangs]

I'm not sure that door-to-door canvassing is really that much better--or any less psychologically taxing. One of the worst weeks of my life was spent as a canvasser for WashPIRG, when I was desperate for a summer job and couldn't find anything else. The canvassing itself turned out to be not so bad, but the self-loathing from being a person that knocks on doors and asks for money was so powerful that I quit after my first week. Plus, if I wouldn't go door-to-door for Jesus, why would I do it for solar power?

[Sylvia]

Everyone has their own limits. I'll happily cold-call voters (although I prefer it when I don't have to ask them for money), go door-to-door (ditto), run canvasses myself, whatever--but I am totally never collecting signatures again, because everyone is an asshole when you're holding a clipboard.

Huzzah and kudos to you for conquering your anxieties in a good cause. I hope you keep us posted about the campaign.

[Jen R]

Wow, Sylvia, really? I have had some really good experiences collecting signatures. (For progressive candidates in a university town, granted.)

[PK]

Have fun. Just don't be an Asshole for Sestak ;)

[Strange Forces]

Sane, and his name is an anagram of "steaks." Who doesn't love a good steak?

[Axiomatic]

Vampires, for one thing.

[Sylvia]

Jen--I'll bet it has a lot to do with context; my area has been flooded with signature-gatherers for the last few years because people are massively abusing the ballot initiative system, so everyone (including me) is pretty much sick of interacting with anyone who looks like they might have a petition in hand. This is probably not the case everywhere (at least, I hope it isn't).

[twig]

Everyone here probably already reads 'Shakespeare's Sister' but just in case.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exDo2SMdB-0&search=jesus%20off%20my%20penis

[Jen R]

Oh, I can definitely see how the ballot initiatives would change the dynamic. That's too bad.

[KCinDC]

Yes, I can deal with doing phone banking or door knocking either (and I also don't like being on the receiving end much). Lit drops are okay. I'm looking for other opportunities, other than giving money and blogging.

Fred, have you been getting a lot of people coming here from searches for this guy and his obituary? I've been getting a few just because I mentioned you once, but it may be just because there's another post in my Religion category that mentions Richmond -- the searches were mostly for "fred clark richmond". Then again, you might have mentioned Richmond some time.

[yank in london]

Well if it's any help that's the district I get to vote in and I sent off for my absentee ballot just today!

[John]

Not much on my mind right now. I haven't been up to anything. Today was a complete loss. That's how it is. Not much exciting going on these days.