Fliers are popping up across Denver. Political “grassroots” activism jobs available.
Help “defeat Republicans.”
(Do Republicans look like they need help in this regard?)
A quick scan of the Sunday Denver Post classified section also revealed a surprising number of positions in the fast- paced world of political grassroots activism.
Politics, it’s said, is often about perception. We all know, for instance, that Colorado Republicans are slaves to “special interests.”
Colorado Democrats, on the other hand, bankrolled often by Tim Gill, Pat Stryker and Jared Polis, are simply relying on the goodwill of three concerned citizens – who happen to be partisan magnates with, well, special interests.
Another word with incredible elasticity is “grassroots.” Grassroots once implied an organic movement of common people fighting for a cause.
These days, grassroots organizations are typically well-funded political SWAT teams that are about as organic as the common Twinkie.
I spot a classified ad in The Post for a “grassroots campaign” affiliated with Move On.org, a far-left organization looking to defeat the “Radical Right agenda.”
When I call “Terry” to see how one gets involved in this urgent battle – no one likes a radical, after all – I reach an organization called Grassroots Campaigns Inc.
The group fashions itself as “a national firm specializing in building grassroots support for progressive causes, political candidates, public interest campaigns, and non-profit organizations.”
I’m still trying to figure out how a national incorporated firm with clients like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Common Cause is “grassroots” when the head of the Denver office answers. I inquire about the specifics. When do I start knocking on doors?
Well, he can’t really speak to me before checking in with his superiors at grassroots HQ in Washington. He’ll get back to me. Maybe.
You might have better luck if you don’t identify yourself as a columnist. One job pays $1,200-$2,000 a month.
According to Center for Responsive Politics, MoveOn.org had $21,428,516 worth of expenditures last year. Peter Lewis, leftist chairman of Progressive Corp., and billionaire “financier” George Soros donated to the group $5 million.
Surely, MoveOn.org could afford to pay its employees a lot of dough to defeat right-wing radicals – “grassroots” or not. Most of these measly salaries hardly qualify as “living wage” here in Denver.
In comparison, the dark overlords of Wal-Mart pay employees a comparable average of 23,000 bucks a year. Though Wal-Mart employees will actually learn a host of real-world skills.
I suspect most of the “grassroots” organizations in town support feel-good, do-nothing minimum-wage increases. Well, it seems that they primarily support it if they can force others to pay up.
Apparently, they understand that if prospective employees lack skills, training and experience – most likely because of age – they only deserve a rather low salary.
In any event, if MoveOn.org doesn’t offer you the type of “progressive” activism you’re looking for – and you’re above a good paycheck – there are other choices in Denver. You can reach out to the comrades at the Sierra Club for around $350-$500 a week.
“Fight Global Warming! Make a Difference! Work with Great People!”
Sounds like fun. It’s grassroots.
I called. No answer.
Then it hit me. Maybe the word “grassroots” provides idealistic youngsters and apparatchiks a comfortable outsider status while canvassing Denver neighborhoods, “educating” voters, collecting signatures for a mere pittance.
Because I would like to point out that a new Prius costs around $22,000. Does the Sierra Club expect its employees to drive around in a real car?
Pay these folks a living wage, for God’s sake. They’re trying to save the world.
David Harsanyi’s column appears Monday and Thursday.
He can be reached at 303-954-1255 or dharsanyi@denverpost.com.
