How many in Y!A actually actively participate in political org. or just complain and do nothing?

Question

So many in fact do not even vote! Can you expect others to do your job? Are you part of the solution or part of the problem?

Answer 1

I didn't know that was a prerequisite?? I thought voting, working hard & paying taxes was more than enough in this country to have a voice & opinion!!

Answer 2

I try to be part of the solution by:
1. VOTING. That comes first.
2. Not condemning anyone for their beliefs. I may not be a "liberal", but I do have some liberal beliefs. I think that we ALL, regardless of whether we're liberal, moderate, or conservative, need to be more tolerant and understanding of each other. This doesn't mean we have to agree, but at least we can agree to disagree.
3. I sign petitions (not the ones that go around on email, but the ones that actually verify that you are who you say you are).
4. I discuss politics with anyone who will listen, and encourage them to vote. I also answer any questions that I can about candidates for office, and what they stand for.
5. I pay attention. I watch the news, I read newspapers (when I can get access to them, we don't really have access to many newspapers over here), and I read news online. And I take my news from as many sources as I can, including but not limited to BBC, MSNBC, CNN, AND FOX.
6. I try to pay attention to what's going on in other parts of the world besides the US, mostly because I never know when one of those things is going to concern us. I'm watching the situation in Iran, as well as events in Palestine, Lebanon, and Israel, and on the continent of Africa (especially the AIDS epidemic in Kenya, where there are over a million living with HIV/AIDS right now, and in Cameroon, where there are at least 460,000 living with HIV/AIDS, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where there are over one million living with HIV/AIDS. Zimbabwe is one of the worst with almost two million living with HIV/AIDS).
That's just a start. I'd consider a career in politics if my husband would go along with it. He said he couldn't handle it, even if I was the prominent politician in the family. He says I'd make a good president, though, LOL.

Answer 3

I vote but do not participate in political organizations as most seem to be directly associated with political parties. The issues that are important to me are better served by "front-line" participation anyway.

My big issue is poverty. I work with Habitat for Humanity and donate food and time to my local soup kitchen.

I have campaigned, not for a particular party, but for individual candidates I associate with. Again, working on the front-line at the local level has a much greater effect than sending a check to a national organization.

Answer 4

I have been active politically for many years now. I volunteered going door to door during the last Presidential election---and collected absentee ballots. I have voted in every election since I was eligible to vote. I participate in multiple internet political efforts and continue to write letters to the editors of several papers.

To me, this kind of effort is required of citizens of a democracy. Democracy takes work and is hard. Without this effort, then someone else will definitely be happy to make all of the decisions for us.

I also end up arguing with friends of mine who won't even vote, yet complain about everything. It makes me sick. So many who came before us were tortured, raped and killed just so we could have the opportunity to vote, and now so many don't even care and take it totally for granted.

We go to other parts of the world to fight for "freedom" and "democracy"---and most Americans won't even vote. This is absolutely horrendous.

Answer 5

Personally I work within the political party of my choice.
Meetings, phone call, emails , attending monthly get togethers, handing out fliers , inviting local residents, rallies etc....
Have done so since I registered to voted at 18 in one form or another. The older I have become the more active I have become in the possess.
My son is now serving his 3rd years as a committeeman - so I even got the kids involved at a young age - how they vote is their choice.

Answer 6

I think most people vote but do not try to become part of political organizations because most are so corrupt. Most people don't know how to deal with corruption and underhanded activities. We have to complain just to be heard even a little bit.

Answer 7

Involving yourself on pages like these are can be active participation. This is the front line of ideas.
Besides, many of the people whose comments I read would do use all a favor by staying home on election day.

Answer 8

I vote if for no other reason than to say I tried to get better people in power. I think you have NO right to complain if you are old enough but don't vote.
Harsh, but the way I feel.

Answer 9

I have voted in every election that I was qualified to.

I am active in the Republican party. I am working on helping to take it back from moderates and RINO's.

Your premise is excellent. I listen to conservative talk radio and always hear liberals calling and complaining about this and that, but when asked what they would do, silence.

Answer 10

I wouldn't be surprised if 90% of the 'internet activists' just sat around on their butts all day complaining on the computer but haven't done a thing to make a change.