12 Ways to Get Involved Politically

So you have finally realized that the country is going to Hell in a hand basket. Corrupt politicians who pander to corporations, legislation that doesn’t reflect your values, tax dollars being spent obscenely. It all seems like too much to think about - it would be so much easier to just sit your ass on the couch and watch CSI. But that’s what they want you to do. Below I provide a dozen ways for you to get involved. None of the ideas are meant to be partisan in nature. Regardless of which side of the aisle you sit on, you can still get involved. It’s not a difference of opinions that will bring down the empire - it’s apathy. So get off the couch, and get involved. 1. Attend a Rally - There’s nothing to make you feel more involved with a cause than attending a rally. Mingling with people who share your ideas and are working towards a common goal can be truly inspirational. 2. Get Your Coworkers to Vote - This can be as simple as encouraging Sally in cubicle 5b to get out and vote. Or you could post flyers in your break room explaining the virtues of voting to the less socially concious. If you are the boss, give your people some time off to go out and vote. The work will be there when they get back… 3. Create an Online Petition - Gone are the days of going door to door to get people to sign a petition. With the advent of the Internet, getting people involved is a breeze. A few resources: Petition Spot; The Petition Site; and Petition Online. 4. Volunteer for a Campaign - Running for office requires a lot of work, and a lot of people to help. There are plenty of things you can do to help: hand out literature, host a reception, help with mailings, and more. Just find somebody you like and contact them - they’ll tell you how you can best help with their efforts. 5. Alert the Media - Mainstream media is obsessed with sensationalism and fear, at the neglect of stories that should be getting attention. If you know of something that isn’t getting the attention it deserves, say something about it. Let ‘em know, maybe they’ll surprise you. Contact CNN, call FOX at 888-369-4762, contact ABC News, call CBS at 212-975-3247 or send them an email. (Information for NBC and MSNBC was not readily available - their contact page was experiencing problems). 6. Host a House Party - Open your home to host a fundraising party for your candidate. These intimate gatherings can be ideal for sharing information and getting people involved. The casual setting of a home, and the spirit of a party make it less stuffy. For more information check out Meetup. They’ve got info for any city you can think of. 7. Write Letters to Congress - Tell your representatives exactly what you are thinking. For best results, write from the heart, and try a personalized letter, instead of a form letter. Contacting your representative is easy - see Contacting the Congress for a full set of contact details including phone, website, mailing address, fax, and more. 8. Involve Your Family - Getting your family involved with your activities can go a long way to keeping you active. Introducing your kids to the political process and getting them active will help keep you going (as a role model) and will set your kids in an active mindset. 9. Fight the Power - Attend your town hall meetings, and let your local representatives know how you feel. Need a new traffic light to help reduce speeding in your neighborhood? Tired of your public school’s lack of funding? Find out when City Hall has it’s monthly meetings, and attend. The floor opens up for new business, and you can make your opinion known. 10. Freeway Blog - For as little as a couple of bucks, you can reach hundreds of thousands of people. Not only is it your right to do so, but in today’s day and age, it’s almost your obligation. Find out more from the master. 11. Give Money - When all else fails, you can always dig into your pocket and provide financial assistance. There aren’t any organizations that couldn’t use a couple of extra bucks to help with their cause. There are no shortage of places to donate - find a cause that you agree with and send them $50 (or whatever you can afford). It’s easy to do and your donation will go a long way. 12. Speak out Online - There is perhaps no better way to reach so many people on a shoestring budget. With a global audience, participating in the discussion online can cause ripple effects for years to come. Start a blog (zero to little cost) and get writing. Find some popular blogs of writers you disagree with, and present a dissenting point of view. There are always two sides to an argument (at a minimum) so get in there and present your view - it will always be there for others to see, and you could help in forming an opinion. The Technorati Top 100 and the BOTW Blogs Politics category are great places to start looking. You don’t need to try to tackle each of the above ideas. Pick one or two and start there. Now that you have some ideas, it’s up to you - get involved or stay complacent. The choice is yours.