Dakota War College addresses State Senator Deb Peters's angst at not being able to find "one answer to get the public involved" in politics. There is no one answer, Senator Peters. Good politicians lead conversations. To make politics "cool" (if that's even an appropriate term to apply to the governing of our republic), you've first got to reach out by every means available to invite citizens to have those conversations.
MC offers a perfectly reasonable list of things our legislators could do right now to increase the "cool" factor of state politics:
- Have a Saturday morning pancake feed at the local park
- Throw a couple of racks of ribs on the grill and invite a half a dozen residents or so non-politico types over, for a potluck cook out. Pop the top on a couple of cold ones and listen what they have to say.
- Invite a couple of families to The Hartford Steak co. (or other local establishment) and do the same.
- Go door to door Friday / Saturday evenings. You did it during the campaign, and you listened, you can do it again.(not to mention it wouldn't hurt come re-election time)
The people have things to say to our legislators and they want to be heard, maybe more than than our legislators want to hear them. They want to be involved in their community, they just need to be asked, in person [MC, "How to Make Politics 'Cool'," Dakota War College, 2011.07.06].
Add to that list a good online presence. I've praised legislators like Rep. Patricia Stricherz and Rep. Steve Hickey for using blogs during session to inform citizens and get voters' views. They should sustain those efforts throughout the year. Rep. Bernie Hunhoff continues to make good use of Facebook to engage his constituents. Senator Dan Lederman maintains a vigorous Twitter presence. They don't just take up Web space; they use it to invite conversation.
I welcome links to other legislators putting on good electronic hustle... but so far, I find the online legislatosphere is overwhelmingly and disappointingly silent.
If Sen. Peters and her colleagues really want to make politics "cool," expanding their instantly and near-universally accessible Internet presence should be step one. It's quick, it's easy, it's mostly free, and you don't get barbecue sauce on your blouse.
Sure, a blog or a Twitter feed won't reach every voter... but then neither will a rib dinner on your back porch. Neither will an evening of knocking on doors. You've got to do all those things and more to reach voters and get them interested.
At least we can agree on this.
An on-line precence is HUGE! I was kind of saving that for August and the back to school crowd, however, you're 100% right. Just because it is summer, does mean our elected official should be rest on their luarls. Get out and get connected.
I agree with both Cory and MC that political leaders need to communicate with constituents throughout the year not just during the session or campaign.
I want to take issue, however, with the idea that we must make everything "cool." Some tasks are mundane, difficult, and boring. That doesn't mean that they shouldn't be done. Being an informed voter is work, and there's no way to change that. Buying into the idea that everything must be cool will produce more Donald Trumps and less substance.
MC--Did you mean lURLs or laurels? Either would be acceptable in this context? Hate to see a clever twist lost to a typo
There are legislators that read the SD blogs. Too many though do not engage or comment under their real names. I understand their reasons; however, being part of the online conversations invite people to interact with you, and show that issues are being heard.
MC has great ideas to interact, the only problem is $$$. With gas being through the roof, amazing the amount of $$ spent simply jetting back and forth to voter events across a district.
I have tried simple public service newspaper ads, and facebook ads; however, they are still expensive.
My favorite is door to door and simply passing out business cards with all my contact info. Will do more later in the fall.
I shouldn't have left you off my list, Rep. Nelson! You do a fair job of getting out and about in the comment sections, and you aren't afraid to take guff for your votes. I appreciate that.
Indeed, throwing a rib dinner costs money. Even walking neighborhoods costs time and shoe leather. That's one reason I'm not big on cutting legislator pay: part of your job is to get out and talk to people, and I don't mind seeing some compensation for that work.
Don't let the earth haters drive the discussion. Branding the message is huge. Being a Democrat must be so debilitatingly sad in South Dakota. Rather than political events, organize a flash mob; try rebranding wetlands as water gardens: http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/07/07/wire-pipe-grid
Glad that Steve Hickey is posting again. Although I was really interested in him answering the question of "what would Jesus cut?" His silence still speaks volumes....but keep posting Pastor Hickey. Pretty sure you have been working on that theological question and I appreciate that it is not an easy one.