Email Reps

Day 5.
What can I do here from home that will actually help?
I'm going to start with emailing my representatives. After all, if I don't ask, I can't receive.

Googling my reps....oh look my congressman is blue. Handy.
Now what to say, specifically... Um. What does this guy do anyway? It's a waste of time to ask him for stuff he has no control over. (Ugh i know i should know this. Apologies to my 4th grade teacher)

Right. Day 5: Educate myself on how the US government function....Okay each state gets to senators and a number of representatives (based on population). All these people are congresspersons. Senators have 6 year terms. Reps get 2 years. And, jeez, that's not much time. They really need to get to the job with a handful priority topics and stick to it, or they likely won't get voted back in again.

Still, I feel like writing my reps and senators is way more effective than signing random petitions or marching with non-specific wants. (that's my opinion. you do things your way! we need all the voices) And with this free site, democracy.io it's a one stop email and done.

I'm going to pick a current and specific bill that I dislike.,. say why specifically... then mention my over all interest in clean energy and environmental topics. And i'll make sure to mention I'm an actual constituent. Now I send it to my two state senators and my one house representative for my zipcode.... and... send.
But now what? How can they possibly have time to read all these letters? Is it like a raffle? Should I send it a couple of times? Or once a week?

In a DailyKos article it says, "Your Senator is beholden to at the very least, 700,000 people, and at the most, tens of millions.  Granted, your enlightenment and engagement in the political process should and do count for something, but keep in mind that your individual constituency accounts for 0.000285%, or less, of the voters in your state.  Yes, you care, and that counts.  But that doesn't make you the Senator's personal trusted adviser on anything."

Hrmm. Yeah. I'm a drop in the bucket. But if you write too. And that keeps going... well then we have something. So on faith, I'll write. Once per issue. 

How to fight hate

Facebook is on fire with unrest. My community is freaked out by kids in the local middle school halls shouting "white power". It's hard to stay cool, calm and active. But I have to be. I can't fight fear and hatred with fear and hatred. I go back to Martin Luther King Jr. quotes to help me focus:

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend."

What I want, more than anything on my list of political ideals, is for us to come together. We as a people. The 2016 election has been so divisive; it has set neighbors against each other and that has to stop.

Today's agenda: 1) Wear my safety pin. It signifies that:
---I'm an ally
---It reminds me to take action if I see racism/intolerance
---I see others are wearing it and instantly I know I'm not alone

2) Post up a really useful video on what to do if you see a racist attack (Realize this is from an amazing resource: http://www.filmsforaction.org but don't let myself get distracted yet because, darn it, Internet, I've got to be effective here!)

I have seen and heard racist things before and I didn't say anything. Has that happened to you? I think it's because, in my heart I believe most people are good. And then there's racism and I don't understand. My brain goes into a loop of cognitive dissonance and I don't manage to get words out of my mouth. I'm hoping that being prepared with these guides will help me snap the hell out of it and do something next time.

First 100 Days

It's hard to pick which cause I hold dearest. Especially when it seems all of them could be on the chopping block. I'm only one person and activism can't be my full time vocation. So what should I fight for first? Women's rights? The environment? Immigration issues? It's dizzying to pick a starting point.

Luckily, amid the Facebook explosion of reactive posts yesterday, my brother-n-law posted a link to a useful article. Back in October Trump released a list of what he planned to accomplish in his first 100 days. (Trump's 100 day wish list) This is really useful because - ta da! - if these are the items first on Trump's hit list they should be the first things on my activism to-do list.

It's still a lot of stuff... but not all of it I care about. Term limits on Congress? Sure. Whatevs. And other things are scary as all get out, like deportation of youngsters. Here's an issue by issue explanation that helped me choose my priority topics: 100 day fact check

Phew. Okay. We can do this.

Election 2016

Hi. This blog is a personal project (but, of course, I'd love some help). You see, the American presidential election two days ago was a big shocker for me. Trump was not my pick. Nor do I know anyone who voted for him. But this is my fault. I've been happily sitting on my sofa yelling at the TV. It's like I've been playing political fantasy football...but it turns out the bets were real and I just lost big time.

With the president, congress, and the possible appointment of two far right leaning supreme court justices...I've lost representation in all 3 branches of the federal government for the next two years at the very least.
At best: none of my wants and wishes for this country will be considered except by accident.
At worst: laws will be made in direct opposition to my ideals.

Right. So if there is no one to represent me, I must get off the sofa and do it myself. Crap. I don't have time for this. I've 3 kids, chronic illnesses, job aspirations...I'm so glad i don't have pets. Because I'm slating in daily time for the far left agenda. Wheeee.

But...I'm a complete and utter n00b at up for my own political interests. And i really haven't got a clue how to do this yet. Suggestions are welcome.