Sebastian (at Snowflakesinhell.com) nails it

[MicroBalrog]

Dr. Helen says:

    I remember a while back, I read in a women’s magazine about political activists who were out “saving the world.” What struck me was something one of the activist’s said: “I found out that me and 25 friends could make a difference in changing politics.” I never forgot that. We often think it takes a big majority of people or a huge group to make a change. I think that’s wrong. Most people don’t care about politics and the truth is you and 25 friends can make a difference.

I know it sounds odd, but it’s true.  In my experience as a “community organizer,” if I had 25 dedicated people in this Congressional District as my volunteers, this would be a far more pro-gun county than it is.  With 25 dedicated people, I’d have something very real and valuable to offer state and local politicians, and even Congressional and National races.  In grassroots political activity, volunteers are very hard to find.  Dedicated volunteers are pure gold.

The politicians know this too.  The biggest thing you can give them (and by converse take away), more than money or your individual vote, is your time.  This is especially true for your state and local level politicians, who depend more on grassroots activity than a federal Congressman or Senator who has money to buy media ads.  But even federal politicians still need volunteers.

With 25 dedicated people, I could easily change the political calculation on guns in this county.  I can say that without a doubt.  That’s why I plead so often for people to volunteer their time.  The things that keep people from volunteering are understandable, namely a lack of time, and because no one really likes politicians all that much.  I don’t really like them either.  But, unfortunately, much like cattle, if you don’t keep them well corralled and under control, they’ll stampede and ruin everything.

http://www.snowflakesinhell.com/


He's right, you know.

[Bogie]

Unemployed folks, and those who are not job-dependent, therefore can seriously skew the system.
 

[MicroBalrog]

Unemployed folks, and those who are not job-dependent, therefore can seriously skew the system.
 

Unless you can magically alter the laws of nature, I fail to see how this can be fixed.

This isn't a 'skewing', it's part of the system.

A political movement that ALREADY has lots of members obviously doesn't need much of a volunteer effort or even a donating effort.

Being able to harness the efforts of a small band of dedicated followers or wealthy donors allows unpopular viewpoints to get heard, too.