Punishment (by formal definition) occurs when a behavior decreases in frequency as the result of consequences that are aversive to the learner.
During election season we made contributions to several Democratic campaigns and to support an issue of personal interest (Senator Al Franken’s issues with some FCC decisions). The elections are now over (my candidates were both successful) and the issue under consideration by the FCC was resolved. I do not regret supporting these candidates or this cause.
However, it appears that I am now on multiple email lists and am constantly bombarded by requests for additional funds. I guess part of my frustration is that I am no longer certain what any contribution would be used address. I supported certain candidates because I thought I could predict the causes they would support and the values they would implement. Am I now to assume that my initial assumptions were wrong? Additional money should not be necessary to encourage representatives to explain their positions or cast their votes.
One of the things I naively believe is that this process is not about some contest to determine who can generate the most money. This seems to be a growing problem of our system of government and one of what I had hoped was a fundamental differences between Republicans and Democrats. If it is a contest to determine whether the rich or the middle class are willing to spend more to get what they want, the enterprise is a lost cause.
I would prefer that representatives rally their supporters to make their views known or contact other representatives that might be persuaded by additional input. I hate the feeling that what I think does not matter unless I send money.