Wasn't looking for an easy answer; as you say, there isn't one. But I was looking for something more than "I'm going to post my opinion on a message board."
Everyone can do a bit of something. For example, voting records are easily obtainable; find the records for the senators/representatives for your state/locality. Highlight their names and how they voted for the different issues. Ask permission of the pastor/deacons/whatever to hang it on the bulletin board at church. Hang it on the bulletin board at the local community center. Maybe there's a local cafe or some other place where people hang out; get permission and hang it there. If someone tears it down, get another copy and re-hang it.
Get into discussions with church members. Not everyone's going to feel the same way, and not everyone's going to be comfortable doing things the same way. Find strengths, and capitalize on them. Some folks are a-okay standing on street corners and shouting; give them stuff to shout about. Some folks are better making phone calls; give them something to call people about. Some folks may be good at making websites, or presentations; give them the basic info and ask them to work their magic.
When was the last time you (not you specifically, SN; using "you" generically here) called your senators/representatives? Or sent them letters? Or created a poll and sought signatures, to be sent to your senators/representatives?
Have you checked with your local political party of choice HQ and volunteered to assist?
Have you considered running for office yourself?
These are all actionable things, and can be done individually or as a whole. They can be done by each and every one of us. And there's more than just this; these are just what I've thought of off the top of my head. The point being, there are things that can be done to help people be aware of what's going on. And yes, providing actual information on a message board is one of those things, too (as opposed to simply espousing our opinion; give me facts, figures, data; not just what you personally think about something. Give me something that actually supports why you think the way you do, and I might find myself changing my way of thinking because you've given me something I can't argue with).
But give me something more than the plan is to publish a personal opinion anonymously on a message board. Because that just looks like complaining and whining...but that's my personal opinion.
I did not take your remarks personally, and basically agree with you. I do not expect anyone to agree or disagree with me. Basically, I am just looking for a well intentioned post. Also, although next to impossible on this board I try to avoid the words "I" and "you."
As far as personal involvement instead of the overall things to do, I will be glad to recount mine. I had joined the Constitution Party two years ago over disguist of the Republican Party. I got involved with the state delegation and was actually selected as an elected delegate to the national convention in Nashville in April to select a Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate. Six others were going with me. We had to pay our way, travel and registration fee, which amounted to about $1000. To make a long story short, a few days before the Convention, I found out some of the six were not going. Once there, I ended up being the only delegate from Kentucky. The delegates present from other states seemed more interested in socializing and having a party than encouraging everyone to get out and vote for our candidate (Virgil Goode, former US House Congressman VA, 5th district) for President. Most did not seem interested nor did they have the drive to make this a crusade, so to speak. Driving back home, the more I thought about the whole incident, the more I decided I wanted nothing to do with it. No wonder we are a third party. If you do not believe in yourself enough to show others and tell others about your cause, why should they listen. The platform is quite simple, govern by the Constitution, and live by Judeo-Christian ethics.
Anyway, once back, I switched back to the Republican Party. As unhappy as I am/was with Romney's religious beliefs, and his record as governor of Mass., I decided by some small margin that it was better to vote for him than help reelect Obama. It is certainly not a vote I can embrace or am proud of, but it is what I am going to do.
I guess the major thing that changed in me is that we must work internally within both parties, especially the Republican, and well before primaries get here, (now is the time to start for 2016). I would have thought we would have learned from our 2008 nominee, or for that matter, the pattern since Reagan left. I have no idea if Romney is going to win or not. If he does not, I pray we have learned our lesson and pick a conservative in 2016 with some moral backbone.
You asked about writing letters to Congressmen. I have for many, many years. My favorite is letters to the editor, pinging local government.
Another person who is really involved, more than me, is Salty. He works with the New York fusion party, a concept where one of the two major parties can fuse with a third party, say Conservative Party, and run one candidate. It is an interesting concept, espeically at primary time.
Are you for open or closed primaries? Here in Kentucky, we still have closed primaries. In Wisconsin where my son lives, voters can cross over party lines. Last week in our Presidential primary, on the Democratic side, Obama beat uncommitted by 57 to 43 percent. However, in twelve of the thirteen west Kentucky counties, where I live, Obama lost to uncommitted, in some cases 65-35. Needless to say, Obama will not be receiving our electoral votes.
Again, my apologies for not answering your question on a personal involvement level. You are correct. Anyone can give opinions. It reminds me of pew sitters at church that never do anything else but attend pot lucks and gossip. Thanks for the post.
