Archive for category Advocacy
With Liberty and Justice for All
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy, Political Strategy, Voting on May 22, 2012
The morning of May 22, 2012, I went to see my kindergartener in a patriotic assembly for Memorial Day. The principal instructed us to turn and recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Something I have said so many times, but I really heard the words today.
Voting is not an option
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy, Campaigns, Community Participation, Media, Political Strategy, Voting on January 3, 2012
People in other nations are dying in the street for the right to a fair vote. In America eligible non-voters are given a flippant “If you don’t vote you can’t complain.” slap on the wrist. It’s not enough. Voting is not an option, it’s a duty.
Gerrymandering Kills Democracy
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Campaigns, Political Strategy on November 4, 2011
There are many parts of the political process that are kept in the shadows. Civil Citizens may not know about them or only know of them in a vague way. Gerrymandering is one of them. Gerrymandering is when redistricting commissions draw voting districts in bizarre shapes for the purpose of having a “safe” seat for a political party. The district will encompass a population known to favor a particular ideal or party.
Understanding Political Will
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy, Political Strategy on October 19, 2011
Political will, what an elected official is willing to do. How to deal with it when it is with you? How to deal with it when it’s against you? Find out in this informative Civil Citizen blog.
Political Strategists: Knowing a candidate’s political strategist can tell you more about them than any speech.
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Campaigns, Political Strategy, Uncategorized on September 17, 2011
Political strategists make and break political careers. They hold a lot of political power but are able to avoid much of the public scrutiny that would normally accompany a position of power.
How to fire an elected official before the next election.
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy, Campaigns on August 1, 2011
The recall tool is a powerful tool in the Civil Citizen’s tool kit. It is the nuclear bomb of the tool kit not to be used lightly or for minor infringements on an elected officials part. It is the shadow side of a Democratic system that someone is not going to be happy with a legislative decision. If one were to recall any elected official that offended some one the recall elections would get costly and ridiculous and would stop the ability of a government to do its work.
Defining Brinkmanship
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy, Political Strategy on July 30, 2011
What are they doing? A question not only on the lips of many Americans but also around the world as they watch the game of political chicken being played on Capitol Hill today. The name of the game is brinkmanship and it is a good word and technique for Civil Citizens to know.
When Talking Points Attack
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy, Campaigns, Community Participation, Media, Mindful Consumerism on July 18, 2011
It’s important for every Civil Citizen to know about talking points. Talking points are specific points that a politician, political party or special interest group wants you to know. Like an advertisement there are varying levels of truth to these statements. We have seen some masters of the talking point, I must say many from the Republican Party.
Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid too expensive? What can be done?
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy on July 13, 2011
There has been a lot of discussion lately about what is called entitlements in Washington. These are social safety nets but in place in the past to help the poor and the elderly who are no longer able to work. Before these types of things were taken care of, either by extended families or by the Church. Yet in the past century people have looked to the government to provide services by using taxpayer money to take care of these important needs.
What makes a great candidate?
Posted by Sophia Tesch in Advocacy, Campaigns, Voting on June 22, 2011
What makes a great candidate? There seems to be plenty examples out there of what we as Civil Citizens don’t want. Yet, what qualifies someone as a great candidate?