When nobody in power will lift a finger to earn your vote but they’re falling all over themselves trying to stomp out a robust protest movement, that tells you what the powerful are actually afraid…
Mostly what it tells me is that mist voters make no effort to engage with their politicians to tell them how they should act and what they should support if they want their vote. If you don’t engage you will be ignored.
Election season is absolutely the least effective time to be pushing politicians to change as they can’t do so without risking upsetting the balance of votes they expect. Instead call them and write to them during their term. Don’t let up, be the voice they keep hearing and their attitudes will slowly start to change as they hear your message more loudly than the vague background they’re surrounded by. Make it easy for them to do what you want by stating it clearly and politely but firmly and repeatedly. Ideally show them that it taps into a groundswell of opinion that boosts their vote count.
If you do engage (by which I mean make a crabby phone call or send an angry letter to your elected representatives) statistically you won’t have any effect, as has been charted.
Our officials listen to money. Make the maximum campaign contribution, and they’ll consider your voice. Check out Larry Lesig’s TED talks if you want a deep dive on this.
A letter or phone call probably wont have much effect, but actually engaging with them over the course of their term might. The more people who do it the more they’ll respond. Sure politicians will follow the money, but they also know they need to get re-elected if they want to stay on that particular gravy train. If they’re getting the message, loud and clear, that one course of action will lose them votes, they’re more likely to steer a different course, especially if their margin is small. You’re unlikely to see a politician completely flip on a significant philosophy, so I wouldn’t expect miracles, but enough small changes make a big difference.
From their point of view all protests tell them is that a particular course of action is unpopular and will lose them votes, but its a fairly extreme way of sending that message. A concerted effort by even a fairly small group over a longer period has a similar effect. Throwing money at them certainly helps, but isn’t necessary.
To be clear, I’m not American, but, at least currently, the same basics apply, its probably just harder to cut through the clamour to be heard.
Mostly what it tells me is that mist voters make no effort to engage with their politicians to tell them how they should act and what they should support if they want their vote. If you don’t engage you will be ignored.
Election season is absolutely the least effective time to be pushing politicians to change as they can’t do so without risking upsetting the balance of votes they expect. Instead call them and write to them during their term. Don’t let up, be the voice they keep hearing and their attitudes will slowly start to change as they hear your message more loudly than the vague background they’re surrounded by. Make it easy for them to do what you want by stating it clearly and politely but firmly and repeatedly. Ideally show them that it taps into a groundswell of opinion that boosts their vote count.
If you do engage (by which I mean make a crabby phone call or send an angry letter to your elected representatives) statistically you won’t have any effect, as has been charted.
Our officials listen to money. Make the maximum campaign contribution, and they’ll consider your voice. Check out Larry Lesig’s TED talks if you want a deep dive on this.
A letter or phone call probably wont have much effect, but actually engaging with them over the course of their term might. The more people who do it the more they’ll respond. Sure politicians will follow the money, but they also know they need to get re-elected if they want to stay on that particular gravy train. If they’re getting the message, loud and clear, that one course of action will lose them votes, they’re more likely to steer a different course, especially if their margin is small. You’re unlikely to see a politician completely flip on a significant philosophy, so I wouldn’t expect miracles, but enough small changes make a big difference.
From their point of view all protests tell them is that a particular course of action is unpopular and will lose them votes, but its a fairly extreme way of sending that message. A concerted effort by even a fairly small group over a longer period has a similar effect. Throwing money at them certainly helps, but isn’t necessary.
To be clear, I’m not American, but, at least currently, the same basics apply, its probably just harder to cut through the clamour to be heard.