Yeah, girl, it is about time to get involved. I'm going to be volunteering for Kerry this year. I don't see it changing the way Pittsburgh votes, but I'm gonna try nonetheless. It'll at least make me feel better, you know? Of course, I don't agree with everything about his politics, either, but Bush is just poison and I'm terrified of another four years. Even more terrified now that Nader has thrown himself into the ring. He has every right to run, he's a good thinker and all but I'm really concerned that he's just going to end up splitting the vote.... *shrug* It's all been said before.
Heya DM, long time no see! I miss you! As for Pittsburgh, I don't know that it's a foregone conclusion. Bush has waffled on steel tarrifs enough to make them lose confidence on what an end-term Bush would do.
Also, Penn elected a democrat governor last year! Anything can happen!
Completely off-topic, but I just created a livejournal feed for your blog under the alias of phxfeather. Livejournallers, befriend this lady!
I vote Libertarian. However, I suggest everyone look at _all_ parties' platforms and _then_ decide who to vote for. Most people think you need to fit into one of two categories - Republican or Democrat. What most people don't realize is that they only "fit" into one group just a little bit better than another. Looking at all parties, be it Libertarian, Constitution, Natural Law, Green, Reform, Socialist, etc, is the only way you can be sure you're voting for a party/candidate that is truly representing your interests.
'The World's Smallest Political Quiz' is a good start:
http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html
--Ryan
On a more substantive note, there are things you can do that will make a difference, even without becoming an "activist" quote unquote. The first, and arguably the most effective, is to get informed. Find a news source that doesn't disgust you (hint: not the TV) and get in the habit of getting informed. That in itself will make you a better citizen than the majority. You'll find yourself having opinions, ones that aren't going to be swayed by any candidate's quick-and-dirty ad strategy come election time.
Second, have conversations. Discuss current events and politics with your circle of friends, including those not of your opinion. (Note I said discuss, not argue. If you can have a political disagreement that doesn't degenerate into facile name-calling and platitude spouting, your friends are better than most at the art of conversation.) This will hone both your reasoning and your persuasive skills--and you may end up changing your mind about some stuff after further reflection.
Third, sign checks. You can deplore activists' activities while supporting their causes. In fact, some activist activity is inherently deplorable because the people doing it have decided that there is no way to bring public attention to their cause short of acting outside the bounds of decency. (See my comment on Kevin's flag-burning post.) So if you want attention to go to the cause rather than the activity, don't support the activists--bypass them and support the causes directly.
David: thanks for the livejournal feed! Very cool.
Informed is something I've been working on and am getting there.
Discussion is something I totally support and could be more involved in. I need to get more informed in these subjects though. So I'm still working on step one.
Supporting the cause is always something I've been into. Currently unemployed I don't do it with a check book at the moment. I think maybe political causes are something I need to do some research on. Being in the arts I know about tons of arts causes, but not much about political ones. Maybe thats where I can volunteer. We shall see.
Part of my problem with activism is simply that I don't like anyone telling anyone what to think. Discussion is good, we are all able to learn, grow and even change our minds through discussion. But trying to press an opinion with force or even subtly on someone else is morally wrong to me.
I realize that if people weren't active in trying to get people to support certain beliefs, ideas and laws that nothing would get done. I have just always been a person who knows what I think and is fine with that. No one needs to think like me, but if they want to hear what I have to say, I'm happy to share.
Anyway, thank you David for the cause idea. I'm going to look into that.
Ryan: cool test... I hope you don't mind, I'm going to post it and hopefully more people will take it!
Hrmph... looks like I should get more serious about doing that political discussion group thing.
With all my spare time. *sigh*
What I've heard is look at the local level. You'll make the biggest difference and see the most results. For instance, with your art caring and the politics, consider doing something to help the local school district with an arts program. Like volunteer to lead a class or something. Dunno, but I'm sure you could find something.
If I had all the time in the world, I'd be working on getting funding for AIDS research, fighting for gay rights (marriage, equal protection, etc.), and speaking to kids about sex education through the Planned Parenthood speakers bureau. But I don't have time, and Planned Parenthood is kind of lazy about getting back to potential volunteers, so I just started my own ceili instead. Er, something like that.
I don't know about you all, but I have never burned a flag, and see no reason to do so. Nevertheless, the day that flag burning becomes illegal, I will burn a flag in protest.
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