I'm occasionally frustrated by advocates for good causes who make a lot of noise but aren't effective. And there are others who choose apathy and feel powerless when seeing that. I offer below a quick course in effective political communication. This is not regarding elections and voting but in working with those we've elected. The point is to have an impact, to be effective, rather than simply complaining among the choir.

Three main points: - All Politics is Local (the representative or official cares about how it will effect their district)
- QUALITY of communication is important (be concise and focused)
- Build a long-term relationship (we're all humans here!)

The mindset here is to be strategic; to ask, "What will it take to get X to happen?" Then you plan backwards, thinking about the laws and regulations that might have to change, who you'll have to reach to make that happen, and what points of leverage you have. Obviously there are other powers in play, so I'm not saying you can win all the time . . . But there ARE some things you can achieve.   more »

Interesting discussion on Blogging of the President about the division between technocrats vs. activists in the democratic party. . . . the activists on the liberal side proved they cannot lead either. Thus the democrats and liberal America fell under the influence of technocrats. And while technocrats may realize they've been played, they haven't yet found a new language because the activists haven't developed any new language.   more »

Matt Bai writes about Andrew Stern, innovative and President of the Service Employees International Union. Stern is shaking things up in the Labor movement, pushing for globalization and new methods of organizing. The article discusses Stern�s approach with labor and draws connections to the predicament of the democratic party. It strikes me that the predicament of the mainstream denominations (and of Quakers) is remarkably similar.   more »

Every community I've known has broken my heart. The one I trusted and depended on most deeply is the one the broke it hardest   more »

Ellen Dana Nagler suggests in bopnews that Democrats respond to religious influence on Republicans by fashioning themselves as "The party of the constitution." This is a loosing proposition: It becomes a contest of God, vs. the constitution.   more »

I AM optimistic because I think what is needed on the left is a soul-searching, new message and rebuilding of a movement at a grass-routes level in the culture.

I supported Kerry, but recognized that his election would have been counter to this need.

What was accomplished in this election    more »

Learn how to talk with them about the 95% we have in common rather than argue and yell at each other about the 5% that divides us.   more »

In the United States, something has shifted. The way is open for politicians to take positive leadership stands and evoke universal, inclusive values which include protecting the environment. Kerry has yet to catch up to this new reality, but some congress people have, and the next Presidential election will be fundamentally different (if Bush doesn't careen us off the cliff first).

This is new, a result of changing times and the internet. We've hardly seen the results yet,   more »

Not many people seem to be talking about what to do if Kerry looses. Other than vague "go to Canada" declarations.

We'd have a grieving process, obviously. With all the stages, bargaining, anger, denial, etc. I'm sure there would be a lot of shock. Where I am, people seem not to be able to comprehend why people support Bush. Obviously people do   more »