$8 for dinner with Obama!?

We should donate because we believe in the cause, not to win the raffle.

I’m constantly getting emails from Barack, Michelle and various people in the campaign aides about how if I donate just eight dollars I’ll be entered to win dinner with the president. Or I’ll get to play some hoops with him and Michael Jordan. Or I’ll get to hang with him and Beyonce.

Arno --
This is the last Dinner with Barack of this campaign -- and I don't think you should miss it.
Trust me.
Don't wonder "what if" -- just give it a shot before this great campaign tradition comes to an end. - Joe Biden

As a college student, I’ll take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere. Aside from the weirdness of it, I would love to have dinner with the president somewhere on the campaign trail.

I’ve also donated to the campaign.

But I donated because I want the president to be reelected, because the Super-PACs annoy me, because I figure I can spare a little snack money to help decide who the leader of the free world will be for the next four years.

I did not donate to enter a lottery.

The heavy influence on running these lotteries turns me off. It’s dispiriting that there are scores of people out there—and there must be or they wouldn’t use these contests so much—that won’t donate just because they want Obama to win, but will donate to win a chance to see him.

Then it’s not about Obama anymore. It’s not about the country, or the issues, or any of the things that should matter in this campaign. It’s about celebrity, it’s about self, and its indicative of a larger societal (and governmental) problem. We’re happy to take care of ourselves, but when it comes to sacrificing for a greater good we’re quick to ask: What’s in it for me?