I’m taking a one day break from the “Top 10 Reasons I’m Supporting Ryan Meili” series of posts to promote a really cool idea. Last night, Ryan Meili’s campaign announced that it was launching a “Money Bomb“.
If you’re not familiar with the concept, the term money bomb originated in the last US election as a unique way to combine fundraising with the social networking aspect of the Internet. The first “money bombs” were in support of libertarian Republican candidate, Ron Paul, whose had huge support among the online community. His supporters would pick a single day, often tied to a notable historical event such as the Boston Tea Party or Guy Fawkes Day and encourage everyone to donate a certain amount of money on that date.
The combination of the viral power of the Internet to spread the meme combined with the support of people looking for a non-mainstream candidate and the ability to not just be a single donor but to feel like you’re a part of something bigger meant that Paul (and later moneybombs in favour of Barack Obama and others) raised millions of dollars.
Dr. Meili’s goals are much less grand – though I’m sure he wouldn’t turn down a million dollar donation if someone offered. 😉
For his moneybomb, he’s asking people to support him by donating $34 (or $3.40 or $340) anytime between now and the end of May. Why 34? I forgot to mention it in my last post about his baggage but one of the criticisms of Meili is that he’s too young and inexperienced. But as his press release about the moneybomb states, he’s actually older than some of Canada’s most notable politicians (including Saskatchewan’s own Roy Romanow) were when they moved into high level government positions of great responsibility.
So here’s what I’m asking you to do:
1) if you think Medicare, a Bill of Rights, an Arts Board (plus all the other CCF/NDF firsts – scroll down on this page for a full list) as vital elements of Canadian society and want to see what another progressive socialist NDP leader in Saskatchewan could do, please give to the Meili moneybomb.
(You don’t have to be in Saskatchewan to do so – supporters across Canada and indeed anywhere there’s an Internet connection, can participate. I’m looking at you, former library school classmates scattered across the country!)
2) if you love the Internet, memes, social networking and its ability to make the world, a smaller, more connected, better place, please give to the Meili moneybomb.
3) if you believe that the underdog can defeat the front-runner, please give to the Meili moneybomb.
…then, to make it truly successful, share this blog post or better yet, the Facebook page for the moneybomb with your friends.
If a young guy named Sean Tevis can use the Internet to raise over $100 000 to launch a well-funded campaign against his better-known, better-funded opponent in Kansas, we can do the same here in Saskatchewan! (This is also perhaps the first-ever moneybomb in Canadian politics – yet another reason to participate!)
Here’s the full text of the press release about the moneybomb:
The Ryan Meili Moneybomb: A Message from David Forbes, MLA
It’s been a great campaign so far.
Relatively unknown outside of Saskatoon and Courval when he declared, Ryan has been impressing people from across Saskatchewan. He’s been inspiring New Democrats in communities throughout the province, reminding them why they became New Democrats in the first place.
And he’s scaring Brad Wall – which can only be a good thing. According to CBC’s Stefani Langenegger:
“Brad Wall would rather run against Dwain Lingenfelter than Ryan Meili, a
social democratic doctor living a social democratic life”
Ryan and our whole team have been running a vigorous and effective campaign.
We’ve earned the respect and support of New Democrats from every corner
of the province and every part of the party. We’ve shown the value of
the internet and new technology as campaign tools. According to Alberta
political scientist Dr. Chanchal Bhattacharya:
“Three of the
campaigns are using the internet like it’s still 2000. Despite very
limited resources, Meili is effectively using Web 2.0 social media like
YouTube and Facebook to reach new voters and energize existing ones.
It’s a 21st century Saskatchewan campaign.”
It’s been a great
campaign, but money is still the lifeblood of any political campaign.
Ryan and our team have done well to this point, but we estimate that we
need another $20,000 to see us through to the convention on June 6.
So I’m asking for your help.
I’d like you to give $34 to the Ryan Meili Campaign before May 31, 2009
Why $34?
Ryan Meili is 34!
I mention this because lot’s of people keep talking about Ryan’s youth – and he is the youngest candidate.
But he’s still 34.
That’s one year older than Ed Schreyer when he became Premier of Manitoba.
That’s three years older than Roy Romanow when he became Deputy Premier and Attorney-General of Saskatchewan.
If every one of you could dig deep and give us just $34, we’d have more than enough money to see this through to the convention – and maybe even a little left over.
Just $34.
And
if you can afford to give more than $34, that’s fine too. We’ll accept
donations of $340 or $3400. We’ll accept donations of $3.40 if that’s
all you can afford. Give what you can.
(Please note that the maximum donation in this leadership race is $5,000, so we can’t accept anything more than that.)
If you can give $34
or $340
or $3400
or only $3.40
you have three ways to do it
1. Go to http://ryanmeili.ca/donate to make a secure online donation through our PayPal account
2. Mail a cheque payable to “Ryan Meili Campaign” to
Ryan Meili Campaign, 338 Avenue F South, Saskatoon SK S7M 1T2
3. Call the campaign at 306.370.4334 and, if possible, we will try to arrange for someone to pick up your donation
And whatever you give to support the future of our party . . . Thank You!
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