To my surprise and delight, this week I received a press release from the National Republican Congressional Committee announcing that I have been chosen as a 2004 Ronald Reagan Republican Gold Medal Award winner. Enclosed with the press release was a handsome brass medal hanging from a red, white, and blue ribbon, with the words "Ronald Reagan Republican Gold Medal 2004" on the obverse encircling Mr. Reagan’s face. On the reverse, the words "In recognition of outstanding support of the NRCC and the Republican Party" encircle the Capitol dome.
Pleased as I was to get this tangible recognition from the Republican Party, I nevertheless felt that if the party is giving me this beautiful token of esteem because of one small contribution I made several years ago, the party must value me beyond the few dollars that I once sent. Reading the press release further down, I saw that I had also served as an Honorary Chairman of the Business Advisory Council. It was the work of a moment to Google a few of these phrases and discover that I’m not the only Democrat whom the Republicans have honored. I also learned about the august company into which I was being invited, Timothy Cho, for example.
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This is a priceless story, very funny, and … completely unsurprising to me. Like the year I gave $10 each to various animal right’s organizations that I failed to appropriately research, only to earn myself labels, and calendars and tote bags galore! Again, far exceeding the initial contribution I had made to said organization.
Your experience touches on a more dire topic, that of what can be known about us via the copious tracking of our activities which attempt to catalogue us into various consumer or political slots. It’s called bio-political “tatooing” and I find it sinister–almost Orwellian. Due to my formerly Hispanic last name (duly earned by an immigrant father), I’m constantly sought by Spanish-language products. Unfortunately I cannot speak Spanish, and have assimilated far too well into American culture.
Very interesting and amusing story, thank you for sharing it.