A risk-free grassroots plan to help win voters back to the Democratic Party.
Dear Governor and Lt. Governor,
Our 38-year-old nonprofit People of America Foundation was previously a supplier of supplemental diversity-based social studies resources and teacher training, and we conducted programs in five cities, three counties, and one state under the tradename name of Americans All. (See americansall.org/page/pilots.) Because of her interest in civic education, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor was one of our honorary board chairs during that period. (See americansall.org/node/565024) Our materials remain on our website, and more than 2,000 schools and libraries nationwide use them. However, politicizing K-12 school classrooms today has made expanding that original goal almost impossible.
During that time, we developed several valuable components and wanted to find another way to use them to help unify our socially divided nation. We are now a community outreach and nontraditional hybrid charity that enables nonprofits to raise funds through our free revenue-generating, multilingual storytelling tool and optional nationwide discount program. Our program uses the concept of “impact philanthropy,” enabling gifts that create positive social value also to generate personal financial gain. Seventy-five percent of our gross income goes to the local nonprofit entity generating the individual member subscription or business fee, and 10 percent goes to the state. (See page 3.) We specifically target working and middle-class families and small local businesses. Our tested tools are part of what is needed to implement a program that can help Democrats rebuild our party and regain lost voters.
Today, it appears that the party leadership must continue to challenge the Executive Orders, which are beyond our expertise, and begin regaining the trust of its members, especially those whose lost votes cost the party the election. One primary reason for losing the election was the party’s failure to treat its constituents as partners, not listening to their needs (especially the economy). Instead, it tried to impose an agenda that the party wanted on them. So, voters felt ignored, disrespected, and looked down upon; they thought they had no other options, so they changed their votes.
Consider the case of the Washington Commanders. They also had a terrible record, but they changed leadership, listened to their players, created a new culture, and almost made it to the Super Bowl. The players now believe they can win, and the unhappy, long-suffering fans are optimistic and solidly behind their team.
Americans All is not a silver bullet, but an easily implemented start that positively responds to voters. Results may be slow, but it will indicate that the party recognizes its mistakes—and people generally forgive if they see sincere efforts backed up with tangible solutions. The program can also catalyze other outreach efforts since it is on a content-based website and is effectively immune to adverse legislation—people are free to donate, and businesses are free to advertise.
To begin the process, I have sent letters to all blue-state governors and the organizations in each state that support nonprofits to request their support and to welcome us into their state as an opportunity, not a mandate for their constituents. However, we must work under an established umbrella organization to make this program work more efficiently. That entity will ultimately be our successor, own the program, and manage our foundation once preset financial benchmarks are met. Once we gift the program to our successor, significant revenue will be available to help them support and expand the program.
Logistically, either the DGA or the DNC could work. Therefore, I hope you can help me find a senior member of either or both of their leadership teams, thus bypassing well-meaning but inexperienced gatekeepers, to review our proposal so we can help make a difference. And, as I am sure you are aware, in reaching the public today, it is not what is said that matters; who says it is what produces results.
We must move quickly to regain the respect of Democratic voters. If you have questions or suggestions, I would happily discuss them with you at your convenience.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Allan Kullen, 301-520-8242, [email protected]