Reps/Dems -- How proactive are really?

Question

Post. Post. Post.
How many of you really are Involved in even your Local politics? ... much less anything else? Do you just blow hot air here? What do you really do? I'd be willing to bet some of you don't even vote. Name something you've done within the last year to try to make a difference on a political or social issue.

How proactive are (you) really?

thanks chainsaw

i can hear crickets chirping

Great Question Shanna:
State Governors sign bills making them in to state law. Below is a link on the overview of that legislative process.

2nd website will allow you to find your state website, where you will find what bills are currently being addressed.

After finding out what issues are being considered, research the issues and send your opinion to your governor.

Consider a variety of sources. Use search engines like "google" or "y!" by issue topic for research purposes. You can even google search "search engines" for a broader or more specific range.

The federal level can be researched by the same process. I just like to start closer to home.

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/bil2lawx.html....
www.usa.gov/Agencies/State_and...

Which was my point Crusty .. I was also suprised more the more socially involved didn't appear here at this question. There are many paths to awareness politically and socially. And we all have our own time frame re: development and participation.

Those simply re-hashing Fox News and CNN views seem to be the predominate name callers on Y!A ... which led me to this question: do you even vote?

Thanks for the reminder Melbourne! I have also gotten numerous email.

I apologize if this question, as one emailer put it "seemed to be asking ppl to hike up their skirts to see what was underneath." Yes, voting is a private matter and I hope everyone is able to exercise that freedom to vote. However you choose to caste your vote is your business.

But as we are Q&Aing and discussing political views in an open forum, i just threw this question into the mix. In fact, slung it out rapidly, maybe without as much consideration as I should have in its wording. I apologize to any who felt offended. That was not my intent.

I did get something i didn't expect from your responses ... a better appreciation of this q&a forum.

thanks.

Special Thanks to Kathy and Earnest for their military service for our country and their continued political and social involvement. We appreciate your sacrifice and service so much. Thank you.

Al & Tnmt both started young & are still going strong! Mommy's got her hands full, but has a pipeline for info. I appreciate both her and Cpruckas candor. I hope this forum will help C feel more hopeful about the political process.
Thanks to you all!

The lists of political and community involvement were quite impressive and you are an inspiration to all citizens. Good luck to those of you with pending campaigns! I thank you all for participating and hope to continue to see you in Y!A. Thanks much!

Answer 1

Sadly, I'm not even sure how I would get involved locally. Our mayor is up for reelection and I don't even know who the other candidate is. I work full-time but their should be a place to look up what is going on locally and how to get involved.

Answer 2

Well, I feel like I do much more than a lot. I live in Austin, TX which is a part of Travis County which is one of the very few blue counties in all of Texas. Since coming here in 1999, I've volunteered and still volunteer with Travis County Democrats, I currently serve as my precinct's Democratic precinct chair, I currently serve as my precinct's Democratic election judge, I have served on the Travis County Early Ballot Board, and I have volunteered on the following campaigns:

John Kerry Presidential Campagin - 2003 to 2004 (Kerry carried Travis County, but obviously not Texas)
Kinky Friedman Gubernatorial Campaign - 2005 to 2006
John Courage U.S. Congressional Campaign - 2005 to 2006
Valinda Bolton Texas Congressional Campaign - 2005 to 2006
John Edwards One Corps America - 2006 to present

So, guess you can say I've stayed fairly active. I hope to be able to serve as a delegate to our state convention and maybe even the national convention. Although I would love to get paid for my work, the volunteering experience as been great and has taught me a lot about campaigns, how they work, and what doesn't work.

I really believe everyone needs to do something to get involved!

Answer 3

I'm a tree-hugging liberal and proud of it. I do not follow politics or watch the news or anything, BUT I WILL start paying attention especially with the presidential debates next year because I will be voting. I didn't at the last election because I didn't like any of the candidates as far as I could tell but next year I would like to form some sort of opinion and vote! As for being proactive I have MUCH to learn from my Aunt... she's a HUGE democrat and goes to rallies and is a voice for the democratic party... I myself do not get involved in such things... yet.

Answer 4

Careful. You might fall off your pedestal from blowing your own hot air!!

Most of the replys I have seen on this blog have had very impassioned views presented, which would indicate an involvment with the political/social environment. Whether agreed on or not, a person who holds their convictions together with mature responses demonstrates that he or she is keeping up with the issues of the day.
I would wager that the ones who rely on name calling are devoid of any active involvment with anything because they are more than likely rooted to a chair in front of their computers instead of mingling with the human race.

Answer 5

I worked on a local campaign and sent suggestions to other friends to use in campaigns they were working on. I have worked on four presidential campaigns at the state level. And I started working on campaigns when I was 10 by passing out literature and putting info in envelopes for mailings with family members who were involved in local politics at the time. So I think I am involved.

Answer 6

For almost 20 years I've asked myself, "What is the most powerful thing i can do at this moment to change the world for the better?" And then I try to do it. So yes, I've been very involved, not only politically, but also in challenging the institutions (the banksters & largest corporations) that force themselves illicitly upon the political process.

Answer 7

I Joined the Michigan Democratic party years ago, i vote every election, I go door to door asking people to vote. I make phone calls asking poll questions and asking people to vote. Monday I will attend a rally "anti- war" (the 4th annavearsy). I attend two conventions a year for the party. I serve on the excutive commity,and I 'am a member of the S.C.S. democratic club.

Answer 8

Recruited and trained high school students to serve as poll workers in 3 elections in 2006, organized the Young Democrat Club in my county, currently serve as secretary of my county's Democratic Party Executive Committee, assisted in campaigning/fund raising for the 2006 U.S. Senate/Governor's race in Tennessee and I vote in every election.

Answer 9

I vote and have campaigned for a local alderman . I gave 6 years of my life to the U.S. Army too . But I'm sure that others have done much more . LMAO. .. . I've been asked to run for Mayor in the screw-up town near me, but it's just not for me . I should probably do more . But one thing I do more than many is. . . . . . . actually learn the real issues before voting !!

Answer 10

I attend town commission meetings and am a member of the town Planning Committee. I work school, local and national elections as an election official. I keep up with current events. I write congressmen and senators about issues which concern me: medical help for veterans (of which I am one), medicare for seniors, euthanasia rights for citizens who can no longer afford their prescriptions,etc.