posted on August 7, 2001 09:55:08 AM new
Let's put aside our political preferences and share what we've done personally to influence a campaign or see an issue resolved our way. What tactics have worked for you? Which haven't?
As an Independent, I generally don't get involved in party politics other than donating money. (I'll donate to particular causes that I support as well.)
I've served on county committees relating to an environmental issue that was important to me. I've been involved in forming a taxing district in my neighborhood and my husband eventually ended up the chairman of the resulting committee. I've found that knowledge of an issue, a levelheaded approach, and continual follow-up has worked on the local level. The taxing issue with which we were involved was pretty volatile. The opposition wasn't on its toes early enough in the game to prevent the courts from setting up the district, but once everyone realized that he/she was going to get a tax bill, opposition mounted. My employer, the local newspaper, was plastered with slogans from the opposition and our phone often rang late into the night. I even had to call the police to get one jerk to stay off my property. My husband was pretty unflappable because his jobs have always required a lot of negotiation. The opposition shot itself in the foot when it came to public hearings. At the first one, it shouted down the county attorney and engineers and any other citizens who wanted to speak. Some of its members threatened residents of the neighborhood and plastered slanderous signs about gay residents near their houses. You can guess with whom the politicians sided. I think the opposition lost much by the approach it chose to take. A fact based, unemotional presentation may have gone a long way toward achieving some of what they wanted, but hysteria prevailed and they lost.
Anyone else been involved in local or state politics? What did you observe?
posted on August 7, 2001 10:09:14 AM newAnyone else been involved in local or state politics? What did you observe?
Great topic.
To ease the replies from others. I have not been active in ANY way in either state or local politics besides the fact that I've voted in EVERY federal and state election held since the day I turned 18 -- 20 years now. Not everyone can say that.
