Don't Fear Street Canvassers

The beginning of the presidential primaries brings with them loads of annoying television commercials, ridiculous question and answer press conferences that are hilariously called "debates" and polling data that apparently isn't very accurate. An election year also means that there is a ton of fundraising going on all over the nation. One way that a political party or a candidate raises money is through street canvassing.

If you live in a large city, chances are that you have already seen street canvassers. Thus far I've already run into canvassers from environmental groups, both the Republican and Democratic parties and a couple of different candidates. I myself was a canvasser back in 2004 and it was quite the experience. I met some very good friends, had the opportunity to walk around the streets of New York for hours at a time and work for a cause that I believed in.

Many people get nervous about handing a check or cash to a stranger that's holding a clipboard. I'm here to ease your minds about street canvassers. Here is why you should give money to street canvasses.

First reason you should give money to a street canvasser: Grassroots campaigning is important.

To be truthful, my biggest problem with canvassing in general is that it doesn't happen enough. Candidates and parties are more than willing to except fat checks from corporate interest groups or wealthy businessman that attend a black-tie affair because, well, it's easy. Those candidates then have to give back to the wealthy after the election and they do so every time.

Grassroots campaigning, such as street canvassing, reaches out to the common man and woman that won't be receiving an invite to any galas. I'm not suggesting that every person that donates to a canvasser is middle or lower class. More often than not that is the case, however.

Second reason you should give money to a street canvasser: You may forget to donate later.