My Issue with ActBlue
I'm Red & Green All Over
Yesterday, I was joking with a friend about the political text messages we receive. Like me, she has third party affiliations, and receives text messages from both Republicans and Democrats. I mentioned my recent post about text messages from People for an Affordable WA. Here’s a link if you missed it:
My friend brought up the incredible number of texts she gets from ActBlue—despite her many efforts to stop their texts. I laughed and noted I have the same issue. Shortly after chatting, I received this text from ActBlue (I’m including one from March, as well):
I’m not a Democrat
My first issue is that I’m not a Democrat. Frankly, I’m too far left for Democrats. I bought their lies and watched them sell out to corporations—it’s why “Obama Care” went from being about healthcare to being about “access to ‘affordable’ private insurance”—meaning you’re not getting healthcare, you’re paying a corporation money to hopefully help pay for some of your healthcare.
I gave up on Democrats when they waffled on Queer rights. When they played with immigrant rights—they do like “cheap labor.” When they had no vision for housing.
I stopped believing in Democrats when they sold environmentalism—and the environment—to Silicone Valley venture capitalists and investors like Elon Musk and Ray Dalio.
So why is ActBlue texting me? And not just from this number, but multiple numbers? Do they think I’ll get desperate and run into their arms? Is that what they want—folks feel so desperate the Democrats start to look good?
Uninspiring Messaging
Even if I were a Democrat, what kind of messaging are the sending? It’s hard to unpack the two text messages I pasted above because they are both so poorly constructed and disjointed. It’s as if Democrats are relying on a 1st version of ChatGBT to construct their messaging—so imperfect it’s more confusing than useful.
The only focus of ActBlue is on going after Trump—it’s not about improving lives or envisioning a better country. It’s reactionary. You could argue that’s the state of things; but I would hope the “other” major political party would have a vision for “after Trump.” (Especially a party with so many elected officials in local, state and federal positions, come on!)
In fact, it seems the best ActBlue can do is refer me to a different entity that’s making a statement—or from what I can tell. I did not click the link.
No one Wants to Donate to Democrats
The biggest gripe my friend had with the texts where those that solicited donations. In her opinion, she felt like Democrats already in office need to do something before she’d consider opening her wallet.
This makes sense. Why give money to a political party on the basis of resisting Trump when that party’s own elected officials stand by, capitulate to Republicans, or meekly hold up tiny signs. (Yes, there are a handful of exceptions, but they are the exceptions and don’t seem to represent the party.)
Stop2End
Yes, I have used Stop2End. It seems mostly ineffective. ActBlue uses so many different phone numbers, they still come through. Plus, I worry by reporting them it tells ActBlue that my number is in use/active; meaning, they send even more messages.
An Open Letter to ActBlue & Call for 3rd Parties:
Stop texting me. I am not a Democrat. I will not donate to a party without a spine. I will not support a party that puts profits and corporations over people. I will not support a party that devalues the environment. I will not support a reactionary party without a vision for a better future.
Vote Green Party! Support Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)!