What have you done?

Anguirus · Post by **Anguirus** » 2007-05-30 01:03pm

I haven't done a hell of a lot, but I did volunteer for the campaigns of two of my state delegates (both liberal). I went door-to-door for one and drove another one around my neighborhood, plus did other random things like make signs.

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2007-05-30 01:58pm

I do nothing at all beyond talking to people and sounding authoritative.

Falkenhayn · Post by **Falkenhayn** » 2007-05-30 02:40pm

I worked in the NYS Assembly, for Assemblyman Felix W. Ortiz. I sifted through 1100 pages of expert testimony on childhood obesity, then condensed it to 15 pages of talking points he used in a press conference with Hillary Clinton.

I also voted straight Democrat last year, except for Hillary Clinton. I voted Socialist Workers for Senate instead.

General Zod · Post by **General Zod** » 2007-05-30 02:52pm

I worked at a democratic fundraising group for about 2 weeks. I managed to raise about 1.5k for various causes but it turns out it wasn't enough to keep me on. Then again it was very similar to telemarketing, which I hate with a passion.

Erik von Nein · Post by **Erik von Nein** » 2007-05-30 04:24pm

I know I haven't done enough, but I try to do as much as reasonably possible, mostly through promoting ideas rather than specific candidates. I've found it doesn't really matter who's in office so long as a large majority of voters support a certain idea.

Guardsman Bass · Post by **Guardsman Bass** » 2007-05-30 05:15pm

Aside from writing letters to the paper, I've done one or two marches, including a big one they had back in 2003 to protest the coming Iraq war (I think it was 2003; it might have been in 2002, but all I can remember is that I was working on a presentation about Andrew Lloyd Webber for school at the time). Mostly, though, what I've done is persuade other people to vote.

The Grim Squeaker · Post by **The Grim Squeaker** » 2007-05-31 12:46am

I've done a lot of work in various social service groups (especially for the Bedouin or developing city shit-holes here in the desert).
I've been in a number of meetings with various public officials (Mayors, etc').
I've spent time working with fund raisers, though not as often as I plan to in the future (I tend to just make a real donation when I see it as meaningful, having two people standing next to a box doesn't make a difference).

In addition, I'm spending a goodly amount of time in persuading and spreading ideas (In my case despite my lack of persuasive skills its more effective than you might think, since we are going to greenify the "mansion" and the boat with turbines after the research is done). In addition I may start working for a party after I decide which (I haven't been able to vote yet either).

I'll be spending even more time on this in the future methinks. (Oh, and I've gone through a whole one hour course on letter writing and petitioning).

Netko · Post by **Netko** » 2007-05-31 08:31am

I haven't done much direct political activity besides being an outspoken proponent for political awareness among my social circle which is mostly apathetic or votes based on idiotic slogans (university students - yes, the same guys who were at the forefront of political action back in the '60-'70ies are now politically apathetic - it's sad), however I've volunteered for a number of specific actions that had a political component (latest was a drive to enable the creation of a bone marrow transplant bank).

I'm considering being somewhat more active, maybe even joining a political party.

Raw Shark · Post by **Raw Shark** » 2007-06-01 07:25am

General Zod wrote:I worked at a democratic fundraising group for about 2 weeks. I managed to raise about 1.5k for various causes but it turns out it wasn't enough to keep me on. Then again it was very similar to telemarketing, which I hate with a passion.

I wasn't going to post in this thread, but I've got to say that if it was the shittily-equipped boiler room downtown that calls for the DNC, HRC, Greenpeace, and Special Olympics, I totally got fired by the same company! The culture is obnoxious there even for telemarketers, I was accosted by some overzealous poser douchebag demanding to know if I was a Republican while I was sitting there filling out the application because I had a tie on. I only stayed long enough to get sacked out of desperation for a paycheck. With the exception of the one who sells burritos and floated me a few until I got paid (Jaime, if you're reading this, you kick ass), fuck those guys.

More on-topic, I've also done some volunteer fundraising in the past, particularly with the Boy Scouts, but I am currently not doing nearly enough. I've been thinking about looking into being one of those people who knock on doors with registration cards and staff at the polls after I'm out of debt and have more free time.

Post by **Vympel** » 2007-06-01 08:41am

Durandal wrote:Back in 2002, I wrote the Ohio State Board of Education regarding their insane decision to teach intelligent design in biology classes. I began an exchange with a few members of the board. The one leading the charge sent me some form-filler response, to which I responded. Other board members e-mailed me saying they were relieved that someone had finally told the bitch off.

The entirety of the e-mails, I believe, are public record.

Where can they be found?