Vote, because the Democrats are watching. That’s the frighteningly Orwellian message delivered to a million registered Dems in New York, courtesy of the New York State Democratic Committee. The residents received letters warning them that like Santa Claus and Big Brother, the state party is watching them to ensure that they get out and vote.
“Who you vote for is your secret. But whether or not you vote is public record,” the letter reads.
“Many organizations monitor turnout in your neighborhood and are disappointed by the inconsistent voting of many of your neighbors,” it continues.
Powerline Blog posted this scan of one of the letters, which had been sent to one of their readers:
“It’s a threatening letter. It’s a scare piece that is unnecessary and inappropriate,” the insider told the Post.
This characterization was shared by many of the residents who received the mailers.
“The letter is ludicrous and menacing,” said one woman, who received a “report card” along with her mailer that gave her a “failing grade” for not voting in two of the last four elections.
However, the committee defended its mailers, calling them standard tactics used nationwide.
“This flier is part of the nationwide Democratic response to traditional Republican voter-suppression efforts, because Democrats believe our democracy works better when more people vote, not less,” said Peter Kauffmann, a committee spokesman.
Turnout is good in any election, but couldn’t they find out a way to get out the vote without sounding so creepy? The letter concludes, “If you do not vote this year, we will be interested to hear why not.”
Hopefully someone will tell them.
