Access To Democracy

Rebuilding the American Dream

Alan Miller interviews Michael Dvorak, a documentary photographer.

Formats available: MPEG4 Video (.mp4), MPEG-4 Video (.m4v)

Tags: access, democracy

      It is always disturbing to be abused by those who have benefitted from one’s largesse.  I have tried, over the years, to financially support — within my limited means (I am, after all, still employed far into the “twilight” years) — those charities, educational institutions and the like which have special significance to me, my family, my beliefs.  I think of them as once a year contributions, given freely and willingly because I believe in what they stand for.

     However, I am rethinking.  In these last three days of 2011, I have gotten no less than five dozen (60) requests by email for additional funding from just about every organization to which monies had been distributed over the year.  I’m talking about political organizations, candidates (one of whom sent no less then ten solicitations in three days), educational institutions, charities of various sorts, and even one which I never hear of. 

     I find this both offensive and an invasion of my privacy.  Rather than be satisfied with a one-time contribution, these solicitations are no better than any of the other harassments which have  become so prevalent in this enlightened era of electronic communication.  In other words, get off  my back!  I know my capabilities, and you have already been the beneficiary of same.  I am seriously considering, with any future contribution, a warning that if I receive another request during the same calendar year — barring calamity — that I will remove that organization (or person) from my contribution list.  Let the recipient beware!

     One of the most fortunate events of 2011 for “Access to Democracy” was to pursue the friendship and talents of Avi Meshar.  We had known each other casually, but when Mike McIntee, who created and maintained our web site, became inundated with responsibilites as “The Uptake” flourished, he suggested Avi as a possible successor.  Not only has the web site taken on new life and meaning under Avi’s expertise, but without Avi’s technical prowess and talent in publishing, our book “You Can Make a Difference” would never have seen the book shelves.  So, a big public acknowledgement and thank you to Avi, now a friend and a partner.