Mail Pow sends out talking cards sponsored by political campaigns.
YUBA CITY, CA - What politicians say could be heard again in a political talking mail card, called Mail Pow.
"Legitimate rape, there are ways in which the female body tries to shut this thing down. That's what Todd Akin has to say about rape," said a card sponsored by the American Bridge 21st Century, a Super PAC.
Since 2010, a half million of these talking mail cards have been printed and produced in Yuba City.
"It's been really exciting to be able to do something new," Mail Pow Founder Cristal Martin said. "We are actually rewriting codes now for political campaigns."
Martin is a former political consultant who came up with the idea after seeing how her daughter responded to an audio birthday card. Mail Pow cards are sponsored by political opponents, political actions committees for all parties. While one card features Missouri Congressman Todd Akin in a negative light, other cards praise candidates.
"Since I only won by a small margin, I would have to guess that the card made that difference and put us on the top," Yuba City Councilmember Tej Maan said.
Maan was in a tight race two years ago. He won by 50 votes and he believes words of praise in the card helped him win.
Production has wrapped at the warehouse where the company employs all local staff in Yuba City. Martin likes that she is giving people an opportunity for people to make extra cash in a town where the unemployment rate is 20 percent. The idea is to give taxpayers one last reminder before they cast their vote.
"We do just as many positive cards as negative cards, but the country we live in the negative gets a lot more publicity.
Martin prints cards in other languages like Cantonese and Spanish. She's drawing international interest from politicians abroad who may use the service as well.
News10/KXTV