Multiple people asked me to re-post about the fundraising in a post this evening.
With our early money, this nearly top 10,000 blog will be influencing Nov 2022 outcomes in 4 key states: Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, and now Michigan. FOUR DIRECTIONS has secured at 1.5 match for us, and I am trusting their ability to secure the full double-match.
Our fundraising goal this year is to do our part to ensure that we win elections in key states with margins that make them too big to steal. Margins so big that the legislatures don’t dare to subvert the will of the people and overturn the results. And to form relationships and build the groundwork for wining state legislatures, the House, the Senate and the Presidency in 2024.
At stake in Michigan in November 2022:
- All 4 elected executive offices in Michigan (Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Lt. Gov.)
- Control of the (currently) hard-line rabid Michigan State Legislature (House and Senate)
- Two Michigan Supreme Court Seats
- Control of the US House of Representatives
H.E. Wolf reminds us of some things that OJ Semans said last night (co-founder of Four Directions):
Whenever we [4 Directions] are involved in an election cycle, the Native American turnout is almost always historically high.
We don’t bring in outsiders – we hire (lots of) local tribal members, and train & supervise them.
Unemployment is high, especially on the reservations, so by paying our local organizers we put food on the table.
It takes time, it takes messaging, and it takes media to get the message out.
When people see that others are fighting for the right to vote, it is motivating to them.
It’s real simple ’cause it’s the truth – and the truth will take you a long ways.
We are currently on Angel match #3 – a $2,500 match! – from Andrew who mostly lurks but sometimes comments.
Now beginning Angel Match #4 of $1,000! Thank you to another anonymous BJ Angel. Done!
We have more BJ Angel matches lined up, so you can be sure that once one match ends there is another one to immediately take its place.
As soon as we finish whatever angel match that brings the thermometer to $15,000 At some point on Saturday.
We now have TWO $1,000 angel matches running concurrently. (RaflW and another anonymous donor) Example:
A $25 donation turns into: $25 (you) + $25 (Angel A) + $25 (Angel B) = $75 + $150 (external double-match) = $225.
A $50 donation turns into: $50 (you) + $50 (Angel A) + $50 (Angel B) = $150 + $300 (external double-match) = $450.
Remember: when we start a new angel match, up to $50 of any donation can be matched, even if a previous donation was matched by a different BJ angel. Read the fine print for matching in the first comments in the post.
One last thing:
John always likes me to remind people that no one should ever feel obligated to donate in response to any fundraising request here, whether it’s for political fundraising or to support the Balloon Juice site. Everyone is part of the Balloon Juice community, donations or no donations!
Four Directions
MICHIGAN!
WaterGirl
The math: when we have a double-match + a BJ angel donor
If you donate $50 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $50 to that, for a total of $100. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donor double-matches, adding $200, for a total of $300. So your $50 turns into $300!
If you donate $10 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $10 to that, for a total of $20. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donor double-matches, adding $40, for a total of $60. So your $10 turns into $60!
If you donate $100 through THIS thermometer: Our Balloon Juice angel adds $50 to that, for a total of $150. Which the FOUR DIRECTION donor double-matches, adding $300, for a total of $450. So your $100 turns into $450!
WaterGirl
You guys are amazing – 11,000 in the thermometer and Just
$310$210$110 left on angel match #3!Omnes Omnibus
Jeder nach seinen Fähigkeiten, jedem nach seinen Bedürfnissen. And I am okay with that.
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: Absolutely!
mvr
Just put mine up on the other thread. Please make sure it gets counted. And thanks for all you do!
WaterGirl
@mvr: I had just replied to you in the other thread, and then headed over here.
Your $50 turned into $300!
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: Yeah, I still can’t figure out exactly why socialist is such a dirty word.
Sebastian
I was once rude on the phone to the very nice man from Four Directions (I blame robocalls!).
Chipped in $100 as penance.
WaterGirl
@Sebastian: All is forgiven, I’m sure!
Your $100 turned into $450 for Michigan.
H.E.Wolf
Thank you to WaterGirl, the donors (and repeat donors), everyone on the cheering squad, and the angelorum chori!
In addition to the OJ notes, I also jotted down a few things that Lewis, 4D’s finance guy, said:
“If one minority group can get out and be counted, it’s contagious – people want to vote.”
“I think it’s a minority of people who think the glass is half empty, gloom & doom. If the number of disenfranchised is X, then we get X-plus-more to the polls, we’re going to ramp it up and work harder. Failure is just not an option.”
“I’m 100% confident in Balloon Juice.” [when discussing the prospect of reaching $25K for MI]
Lewis is undoubtedly justified in being confident – he’s seen the jackals in action before – but even he is probably not expecting our potential land-speed record for this matching drive. :-)
Lurker Dan
I’m in for $100.
WaterGirl
@Lurker Dan: Thank you! Your donation turned into $450 also.
Just $110 more in matchable donations and we’ll move into angel match #4.
Lymie
I put in $25
More in the future
WaterGirl
@H.E.Wolf:
I can still hear Lewis’s voice and intonation as he said that.
Another thing that stuck with me was his description of the relationship between time and money.
In terms of being effective … Time + Money = 2, but Time + Early Money = 3.
WaterGirl
@Lymie: Thank you, that’s $150 for Michigan.
Omnes Omnibus
@H.E.Wolf:
This is why I am in the thread below trying to dispel gloom.
Percysowner
Just put in $25.
Sebastian
Where are we at?
WaterGirl
@Sebastian: We have $60 left of angel match #3 left, then we get to see the thermometer jump by the $2,500 from BJ angel #3!
That will be exciting!
edit: and we have a BJ angel #4 ready to go right after that!
rodwell
Just donated $50.
persistentillusion
@WaterGirl: $25 from me. The ability of this blog to fundraise for good causes, candidates, un-met needs astonishes me. I am proud to be a mostly lurking Juicer!
WaterGirl
@rodwell: Your $50 turns into $300!
And that complete angel match #3!
Now beginning angel match #4 of $1,000!
sab
I used to live in Michigan decades ago. This is special to me and very doable.
WaterGirl
@sab: Doable, as in you think we can win Michigan? Or doable for BJ to meet the $25,000 goal?
Sebastian
@WaterGirl:
I hate the GQP so much, here is another $50.
Spanky
$50 from me just now
Wolvesvalley
For Angel #4, another $50.
H.E.Wolf
@Omnes Omnibus: I always appreciate your dispelling. Your voice is one that I pay attention to.
Our household is going to be up before dawn tomorrow, so I’ll wish a good night to all.
WaterGirl
BJ Angel #3 just added his $2,500 match, so we should see the thermometer make a big jump fairly soon.
Thank you so much, Andrew!
edit: And there it is! $14 532!!!
FelonyGovt
WaterGirl I assume you went back to the earlier thread and picked up us later stragglers?
WaterGirl
@Percysowner: That’s $150 for Michigan!
@rodwell: That’s $300 for Michigan!
@persistentillusion: That’s $150 from you!
@Sebastian: And $300 from you!
WaterGirl
@Spanky: @Wolvesvalley:
That’s $600 between the two of you!
Jean
$25.00 from me just now.
WaterGirl
@FelonyGovt: You are correct, I check back every 30 minutes or so.
Don’t want to miss anyone. :-)
WaterGirl
@Jean: Thank you, that’s $150 for Michigan!
rockstar
In for $25, you guys rock
Raoul Paste
In for $50
Thanks WG
WaterGirl
@rockstar: Thank you for that, $150 for Michigan!
mali muso
In for $25. Let’s do this!!
WaterGirl
@Raoul Paste: Thank you! $300 smackers for Michigan.
WaterGirl
@mali muso: Thank you so much! That’s $150 for Michigan.
Chris
In for 25!
WaterGirl
@Chris: Thank you, that’s $150!
The Dangerman
Dr. Barry Mehler of Ferris University (Michigan, I think) HAS to be a Balloon Juicer (I’ll let you Google). I’d take this guys class in a heartbeat. Iconoclastic curmudgeons have got to stick together.
WaterGirl
@The Dangerman: At 74 years old, he apparently has no more fucks to give.
West of the Rockies
@The Dangerman:
Honestly, he seems like an asshole. He says he assigns grades prior to the semester and no one could earn an A in his class anyway.
The Dangerman
@West of the Rockies: Snarkmeters do need occasional adjusting, it’s true.
thruppence
In for $25
WaterGirl
@thruppence: Thank you so much!
Redshift
In for$25!
WaterGirl
@Redshift: And another $150 for Michigan!
West of the Rockies
@The Dangerman:
Sorry, D-man… my snarkmeter has been on the fritz of late.
Kristine
This is exciting!
WaterGirl
@Kristine: So is seeing the thermometer at $15,000 already! :-)
Jackals rule.
WaterGirl
I am heading for bed, but you can be sure I’ll check back first thing in the morning.
Until then, we have enough BJ angels to match any donations that will come in overnight.
Thanks everyone, you are amazing.
RaflW
As we near midnight eastern, I’m kinda goin’ wow. WG posted just less than 14 hours ago, and Juicers have been raising $855/hr ever since.
It’d be fantastic to have this Michigan position funded by the end of the day Saturday. If it takes a little longer thats fine too. I’m just excited.
Omnes Omnibus
Great job, everyone!
Omnes Omnibus
@RaflW: To be fair, there was about $3k in prior donations there this morning, So it was only about $12K in one day.
Another Scott
Thanks for doing this WG, and everyone.
ObOpenThread – AlJazeera – Djoker is back in the clink.
Good, good.
He’s an amazing athlete, but a menace when it comes to Covid.
Cheers,
Scott.
RaflW
@Omnes Omnibus: Yes, and my math reflects that.
Omnes Omnibus
@RaflW: I was told there would be no math.
frosty
I just donated $50. It’s at $15K already! I needed to get it in soon before everyone else breaks the thermometer!
PHinSD
I donated $50 earlier today.
Profmike
100 from me if you’re keeping track here
sempronia
Just tossed in $25.
Auntie Anne
In for $10.
Suburban Mom
In for $50
Xentik
In for $50 here as well.
KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager))
Just donated $25.
lahke
Just did $50 via Venmo without even getting out of bed!
Karen H
I’m in for $50
Isua
Just donated $25. I lived in Michigan for two years and loved it, gotta send a little back to it.
WaterGirl
@lahke: I didn’t know you could use Venmo with ActBlue!
Thank you, that’s $300 for Michigan, yay!
WaterGirl
I just did the math, and we there is $190 left of angel match #4.
Joy in FL
$11 from me to Michigan : )
HinTN
Ok, @WaterGirl: I’m in for another $50 for this angel match. Let’s go 4D.
PT&S
Contributed $100
WaterGirl
@Joy in FL: I love you rebels who like to donate odd numbers! That’s $66 for Michigan. :-)
Crazy question, but I do you like the color orange?
WaterGirl
Speaking of math…
@frosty: That’s $300 more for Michigan.
@PHinSD: And $300 more from you!
@Profmike: And $450!
@sempronia: And $150 for Michigan!
Thank you. You guys were busy while I slept!
WaterGirl
And the morning folks, thank you.
@Auntie Anne: $60 smackers for Wisconsin!
@Suburban Mom: That’s $300 for Wisconsin.
@Xentik: And another $300.
@KayInMD (formerly Kay (not the front-pager)): $150!
WaterGirl
@Karen H: $300 for Michigan!
@Isua: That’s $150 for Michigan, thank you!
@HinTN: Love that you come back for more angels. :-) thank you for that!
@PT&S: That’s $450 for Michigan!
WaterGirl
Just $79 left of angel match #4.
Joy in FL
@WaterGirl: For a long time, I hated it. No orange clothes, no orange furnishing, nothing orange.
I do like the fruit : )
Now I like the color orange and sometimes I love it if it is with other colors and together they delight my eyes.
WaterGirl
@Joy in FL: Ha!
I hope no one goes all Jean and Jorts on me for this, but I have noticed some correlation between love of the color orange and being non-conformist.
Just testing my theory.
WaterGirl
As soon as angel match #4 is complete, we will start the two angel matches that will run concurrently!
Mo Salad
@WaterGirl:
Just dropped another $50. Did that kill off number 4 and open up the double?
Mo Salad
I’m beginning to get Jerry Lewis Telethon flashbacks here.
“Louie! Tympani!”
Cue instrumental version of “What The World Needs Now, Is Love, Sweet Love”.
RevRick
Wow! Within a week we went from struggling to reach one eighth of our goal to two thirds of the way there. Way to go, Juicers!
WaterGirl
@Mo Salad: Oh, that’s not good.
WaterGirl
@Mo Salad: Just $29 left!
I am curious about how the concurrent angel match will go.
If we blow through that $1,000 quickly, I think we’ll do another one.
edit: what the hell, I will do the $29.
Angel Match #4 is now complete!
RaflW
@WaterGirl: Orange is absolutely my favorite color. I even wrote a poem about it once.
I don’t have it handy on my phone, it was in a writing class about 15 years ago. But I managed to get it published in a very niche magazine (RFD, a Journal of Radical Faeries).
ETA: Yay @WaterGirl! I know the front page is busy this morning, but maybe a new Saturday post for 4G will get this blogathon to the finish line? Either way, it’s going amazingly.
WaterGirl
Angel Match #4 is now complete!
Let the concurrent angel match begin!
TWO $1,000 angel matches running concurrently. (RaflW and another anonymous donor) Example:
A $25 donation turns into: $25 (you) + $25 (Angel A) + $25 (Angel B) = $75 + $150 (external double-match) = $225.
A $50 donation turns into: $50 (you) + $50 (Angel A) + $50 (Angel B) = $150 + $300 (external double-match) = $450.
Now that you see how the math works… $5 turns into $45, and $10 turns into $90!
WaterGirl
@RaflW: Published poem, nice!
Your concurrent match has begun! (Yours and Ms. Anonymous)
Note: It’s 11:50 am, we are at 218 donations, and the thermometer reads $16,528.
Wolvesvalley
Here is another $50 for the concurrent matches.
Way to go, BJ Angels! (And all the jackals who are pitching in!)
Mo Salad
And another $50 on to the #5 double. I told you my ADHD scrambled brain would take to this like crack. Hitting 4 of the 5 matches so far along with the original $100 seed a few weeks ago is much more fun than committing to $500 three weeks in advance.
Instead, I’ve parlayed it into $1,450. Actually, more, the original 100 has an eventual match also.
WaterGirl
@Wolvesvalley: First concurrent match right out of the gate!
Your $50 is now $450!
WaterGirl
@Mo Salad: Thank you so much!
You are the second taker on the concurrent match.
Your $50 is now $450!
TxTiger
@watergirl
I don’t know if I still qualify for super-duper extra matchy-match but I just donated $50.
My appreciation for the BJ community increases daily. I lurked on the zoom book club the other evening and loved seeing faces for the nyms. Perhaps at some future zoom I will come out of hiding and contribute!
WaterGirl
@TxTiger: Yes, you do qualify for the super-duper extra matchy-match!
Your $50 is now $450!
All the matches work for any amount up to $50. $5 turns into $45, and $10 turns into $90!
Another Scott
+$223 from me now.
Thanks.
Cheers,
Scott.
lashonharangue
Just chipped in $50. This is going up amazingly quickly.
WaterGirl
@Another Scott: That’s
$819$969 to Michigan once all the double-double matching happens!WaterGirl
@lashonharangue: Thank you! That’s $450 to Michigan!
Caphilldcne
Donated $100 to my home state of Michigan. Thank you Four Directions for keeping it blue in ‘22.
Jay K.
Just tossed in $25.
WaterGirl
@Caphilldcne: That’s $600 for Michigan! thank you
WaterGirl
@Jay K.: That’s $225 for Michigan, can’t beat that!
WaterGirl
We are 1/3 of the way through the concurrent match!
Joy in FL
@WaterGirl: When I hated the color orange (childhood and young adulthood), part of why I hated it was that it felt like an attempt at forced cheerfulness. I still hate anything that feels like it is trying to make me see the bright side or impose positivity, but I don’t associate that with the color orange any more.
So maybe as I have become more deliberately non-conformist, I’ve grown to enjoy the color orange and sometimes even love it : )
Caphilldcne
@WaterGirl: wow. Ok I was really impressed with @Jay K.‘s ROI so I kicked in another $25! ?
PJ
I just added $50 for Michigan.
BeautifulPlumage
I kicked in $100…part of my year end giving. Gonna go kick some into the BJ bucket next – I love this ad- free blog!
DanielsBob
Almost forget to report my $50 donation. Done.
MJ
Put in $50
Thanks WaterGirl.
WaterGirl
@Caphilldcne: And now yours is $225 for Michigan!
WaterGirl
@PJ: That’s $450 to Michigan from you!
WaterGirl
@BeautifulPlumage: That’s $600 for Michigan, thank you.
WaterGirl
@DanielsBob: That’s $450 from you to Michigan. Yay!
WaterGirl
@MJ: And that turns into $450 from you! thank you
WaterGirl
We just passed the halfway mark. $450 left for concurrent matching!
coyoteville
WaterGirl,
I just donated $33 ($36.30 if you count the 10% tip to ActBlue) for the “concurrent matching”.
WaterGirl
@coyoteville: Thank you! That’s $297 to Michigan!
NimmoENull
Just dropped $50, wish it could be more
Sue in Boston
I just added $25 for the double match.
WaterGirl
@NimmoENull: I think $50 is a lot! That turns into $450 because of our concurrent match and the external match. thank you
WaterGirl
@Sue in Boston: Thank you, ad poof, that’s $425!
WaterGirl
We are 2/3 of the way toward meeting this match. If my math is correct, that’s $342 left for concurrent matching!
RaflW
@Joy in FL: That does make me think of some rather horrible rail car curtains & upholstery in the UK in the 80s.
I still love orange, though.
Mo Salad
@WaterGirl: (Waits with itchy trigger finger for match #6.)
WaterGirl
@Mo Salad: I appreciate it, we all appreciate it, and we will especially appreciate it come November!
We can’t control the outcome, but we can sure as hell leave it all on the field. No regrets.
edit: small point, this one is actually #5 and #6 (two angels, one concurrent match) with any luck, #7 will be rolling out soon.
frosty
$50 more from me for the matchy-matchy double-double. This is amazing!
There go two miscreants
$50 from me.
WaterGirl
@frosty: @There go two miscreants:
That turns into $450 from each of you!
WaterGirl
Just $242 available for the concurrent match.
Joy in FL
@RaflW: Yes, I think when I was a kid, I saw orange in color combinations that were ugly as far as my taste went.
It is a beautiful color in itself. For me, so much depends on context.
WaterGirl
@Joy in FL: For me it’s the shade of orange. Apricot, sure. Peach, definitely. Orange like the orange not the Chicago Bears uniforms, no.
StringOnAStick
$25 from me.
WaterGirl
@StringOnAStick: Got it! That’s $225 with the double-double. :-)
Sure Lurkalot
Just dumped in $50. Thanks, WG, as always, for promoting these worthy pursuits.
Joy in FL
@WaterGirl: Yes, there is not only one orange.
WaterGirl
@Sure Lurkalot: Thank you! Your $50 is $450 because of the double angels!
WaterGirl
Almost there!. Only $167 left for concurrent matching!
No One You Know
Thanking all those involved for this. Kicked in my mite thanks to the repost because I missed the first one.
WaterGirl
@No One You Know: oooh, tell me how much and i’ll include it in this concurrent match. We still have $100 left of the double angel match funds.
WaterGirl
The concurrent angel match is now complete, and I’m sure RaflW will be adding his $1,000 as soon as he sees my email message.
Angel match #7 is beginning! BJ Angel #7 lives in Michigan.
Glidwrith
@WaterGirl: In for $50
WaterGirl
@Glidwrith: got it, thanks!
Diesel Kitty
I donated $100 on Friday evening
WaterGirl
@Diesel Kitty: Thank you! That’s $450 for Michigan!
SixStringFanatic
I tossed in $10 through the thermometer. Every little bit helps, right?
WaterGirl
@SixStringFanatic: Just seeing this today – I will add it to angel match #7. That’s $60 for Michigan!
WaterGirl
@SixStringFanatic: Absolutely! That’s $60 for Michigan, thank you.