This week I received a jumbo post card in the mail from a local political candidate – a variation of the one I received last week from the same guy that landed in file 13.  I wonder if the candidate knows I already have a sign up in my yard showing my endorsement?  How much money do future politicians spend on all these printed materials and mailings?  What about the huge 11×17 fold-out that landed in my mail box last week from a candidate for governor? I don’t happen to know this guy, although he seems to have a friendly face.  With the amount of money he spent to send this around the state, it makes me wonder how he will manage my tax dollars.   These run of the mill print pieces really make my eyes glaze over with very little call to action.  Direct mail is still an effective tool if used creatively, but if you want me to meet you, why not spend your campaign dollars on producing an interactive video which can be done quite cost effectively.  Park the video on your website and on Facebook.  If it’s unique enough to become viral you won’t even need to spend money on TV.  The bottom line for politicians:  what are you telling the voters about your money management skills and what are you doing to streamline the waste in your campaign?