A Simple Type of Political Action We Can All Perform

Dear members of ATS,

It is apparent that no matter what part of the political spectrum you reside, all can agree on something.

America could use some fixing.

If we are to truly set a course for change we need to stop letting the pundits and politicians set the tone of discourse. It has also become apparent that, for whatever reason you ascribe, almost every form of media has failed us.

I propose that for a day we turn off the TV, leave the newspaper on the porch, and forget the podcast. Instead, I propose we all chose a topic that is important to us, and write a letter to your senator, representative, governor, mayor, etc.

I would discourage writing the POTUS. Not because he is a Democrat, not for any reason other than you can get better results with the afformentioned suggestions, especially members of local government.

I don't wish to start a debate on what people should and shouldn't write. I just wish to suggest we all forget the rhetoric for a day and attempt to use a resource we the people have available to us, that allows us to let our voice be heard.

After all, this is a government For the People, By the People.

Analogy:
If we do not instruct our employees what to do, how can we reasonably expect them to do what we wish to keep the company afloat?

So I ask all concerned citizens, of all political Ideologies, to pick something they want changed or addressed, and write a letter to your elected officials detailing these concerns.

I personally will be writing a letter concerning the recent supreme court decision and the precedent I feel it will set regarding our 4th amendment.

I am not asking you to disclose what you wish to write about, but you can if you wish. But please, this is not a thread to discuss who is right and who is wrong about what or why.

Thank you all.

usgovinfo.about.com...
www.writeexpress.com...

Mods: I ask that you make an exception to one line responses if a member just wishes to reply "sent" or something like that. This thread can simply be an affirmation of civil action with the goal of changing our country for the better. If not that's cool too

reply to post by GringoViejo

I propose that for a day we turn off the TV, leave the newspaper on the porch, and forget the podcast. Instead, I propose we all chose a topic that is important to us, and write a letter to your senator, representative, governor, mayor, etc.

Writing letters will not accomplish anything. And its definitely not "taking any political action".

But go ahead write all you want.


eta: Writing letters is great in concept, but really it won't make any difference.

reply to post by imasecretspy


Thanks for the input.

However, I disagree.

I must respectfully caution you here.

While the concept of civic action is not a forbidden topic, urging people to take an action - activism - is.

For what seems to me to be the hundredth time I will expand on this concept before proceeding further with my on-topic comment: Activism represents an attempt to coordinate and or incite people to collectively 'send a message' to the establishment (in this case political) for any given purpose. The natural result of any such action in our environment is to engender the dissent of those who disagree and the support of those who do. This kind of dialog is encouraged here at ATS; but ATS cannot and will not endorse activism at this time.

We are above all else, endeavoring to create a neutral (safe) platform for open discussion between members, not to endorse or resist political ideology, public policy, or doctrine that would turn this platform into a political target. Such a stance would not serve this community. There are global members for whom it would be unfair to allow this site to stand in the political firestorm, eclipsing the very reason they are here.

I could litter this post with examples of how badly such activism could fare for ATS, but suffice to say that we encourage anyone to use all the legal means available to them to express their opinions and even discuss the flaws and problems they perceive in the world around them. But we cannot allow one point of view to create a planning or organizing platform without implicitly following our own principles and allowing dissenting activism to have an equal opportunity; lest we subject ourselves (which mean ALL of the ATS community) to claims of bias that we do not wish to legitimize here. It is a goal we must adhere to...

I am compelled to offer one "for instance:" Suppose we were to allow Pro-Choice and Pro-Life activism to take place here. Can you imagine the discord and angst that would cause to the community? There would be fractious threads decrying other fractious threads, there would be zealotry and narrow-mindedness, there would be (in my opinion worse of all) MARKETING techniques being openly applied to influence and sway as if this were some kind of 'recruiting' platform... with single-minded people focused - not on denying ignorance - but on getting people over to their side.... This is not the manner of ATS. That would be more akin to the manner of main stream media... something which we all labor to rise above.

------------------
On Topic:

Communication is the correct approach to letting our representatives know what we accept, resist, or desire. But one-way communications (like emails and letters) offer no guarantee that they are read, they offer no feedback other than in the case of a few exceptional legislators. But even if we knew they were read, it doesn't mean they were accepted or even honored.

I suspect that a letter-writing campaign may have the effect of engendering a feeling of having 'done something' but in reality; that does not translate to any measurable effect.

On October 3rd 2008, after receiving so many negative emails the US government servers were shut down, our legislators voted to begin the super bailout era. They came on the radio, television, and in appearances to declare they had overwhelming support of the population... which almost everyone with at least two brain cells knows is untrue. But they voted 'yes' anyway.....

As other's may have stated... they're not listening to us.... they don't have to .... I can't say exactly to whom they are listening, but it is not 'us.' Their main concern behind the curtain is how to keep it that way.

Originally posted by GringoViejo
reply to post by imasecretspy

 

Thanks for the input.

However, I disagree.

Just ignore him. Writing a letter is an action. spy just trolls every forum and complains about everyone's posts. I think he should join a Depression forum, not ATS.

S+F

reply to post by Maxmars


Hey there, thanks for that

Let me make something clear, I do not wish to make this into a collective agenda other than that I wish for people to express their concern for the state of the country.

It is a very valid argument that "they" are not listening to us. However, I am in contact with members of my local legislation , and at least expressing your concern is far better than staying silent. At least a letter is attempting to have your voice heard, as opposed automatically conceding that it will be of no use.

It is my hope that for some, that if they take this step, then it will be easier in the future to take any further action if they feel needed. It might get people out from behind the pen and paper, and in to the town halls and other venues that are open to the public but largely ignored. If no one tries to do anything, then of course, nothing will get done.

Furthermore, I do not wish to affiliate ATS with any political or ideological stance. If this thread is in someway violating the terms of service, by all means delete it. I do not wish to break any rules here, and if I am I apologize.

This is not a call to arms, or anything like that.

This is not an attempt to recruit any one for any cause other than getting involved with your own government.

I apologize to any members of ATS outside the US if I have alienated you in any way by this post. I believed that "US Political Madness" would be the appropriate forum to post this.

If people don't want to take part in anything, that is certainly their right. And I am certainly not here to pass judgment on anyone who doesn't wish to do anything or listen to what I have to say.

As I said, I wish to appeal to all ideologies. I have no agenda other than possibly inspiring some to become involved.

"Be the change you want to see in the world"
-Mahatma Gandhi

One further note: If you do decide to write a letter or something like that, I will ask for something specific. Whatever issue you wish to address, please do so in a calm and respectful matter.

Thanks

Just another note.

This thread is not about what does and does not constitute political action.

The operative word in the headline is "Simple" as I feel most people find having their voice heard out of their grasp.

If it is not enough in your opinion, then I am sure there is an appropriate thread for such a discussion.

Thanks

reply to post by GringoViejo


No harm, absolutely no foul.

But, on topic, I have a thought I wish to convey.

No one here is being silent.

I respectfully suggest that you direct some of the legislators you may know to take a long hard look at some of the discussions taking place here on ATS.

(Yes, I have seen the ridiculous, but I have also seen the sublime here... it's worth looking for.)

Among this community you can find some of the most brilliant minds in the country (shhhhh, no one needs to know that except us, keep it under your hat.)

Of course, I am not referring to the specialized and esoteric topics (although many have immense value to some,) but instead to the discussion of what has been done, is being done, and will be done by those who seek our trust... as well as those who demand our obedience.

You see this, right here, is part of the great debate that the politicians consistently miss.

We all know that there is a lot here worth arguing against and for. So we do.

I get the impression that politicians only see and regurgitate what specialists in their party tell them. I think participating in a few debates here might serve them better than whatever it is they claim they are doing half the time.

I have gotten the impression that among all the citizens of our country, it is the political careerists who seem mostly to be preoccupied with the production of theatrical sensationalism, as encouraged by the media machine. It is a failure of public service to rely on celebrity and glamor; as neither serves the public. For example, somewhere in our recent past, we forgot that all heroes are accidental; and there is nothing accidental about politics.... nothing at all. Yet the promotion of politicians as celebrity personalities, mostly heroes and heroines, has become central to their conduct... it does not serve us.

But I digress.

reply to post by Maxmars

I have gotten the impression that among all the citizens of our country, it is the political careerists who seem mostly to be preoccupied with the production of theatrical sensationalism, as encouraged by the media machine. It is a failure of public service to rely on celebrity and glamor; as neither serves the public. For example, somewhere in our recent past, we forgot that all heroes are accidental; and there is nothing accidental about politics.... nothing at all. Yet the promotion of politicians as celebrity personalities, mostly heroes and heroines, has become central to their conduct... it does not serve us.

A wonderful example of your previous points, ATS does indeed have brilliant minds.

I hope I don't sound accusatory in regards to silence, and I don't doubt that some people (not implying a large or small number, I truly don't know) here are actually involved. I hope that is not what my tone conveyed. All people here I respect in the sense we all wish to find truth, whatever that truth may be.

I will try your suggestion. I think I will try to find a topic or three that have good substance and discourse. Which there are many. I think I will present the subject matter before the source, just so there are no preconceived notions regarding ATS itself filtering someones opinion. I don't know if it will work, but it's worth a shot.

I find your take on the political climate very interesting, and would agree on pretty much all points.

Thanks again