Good question, too. Looking forward to any responses, esp. following up on my remarks about grassroots activity in the US v. Europe in the Obama diary.
Me? I was recently locked out of my apartment and had to break in, so I suppose, crashing my own gate... "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
Gate-crashing, grassroots activity, I think it is all related. But one day you are going to actually have to run for office... :) "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
But as askod pointed, it's a bit harder to write about local activism here on ET, given the site's nature, so not all individual efforts may be visible here. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
Perhaps a different approach is needed elsewhere.
So far as what people are best suited for, I think there is a fine line between that logic and coming up with excuses to remain in your comfort zone... Though we all obviously have our own talents and strengths. The thing about politics is that it usually comes down to who is doing it, not who is best suited for it. I really think that democracy isn't like a hobby or interest. It only works if everyone participates. I think 10% of it is finding a good way to use your talents, and 90% of it is just getting off your ass and doing something because no one else will, or the people who will don't share your values.
Stepping down from my little soapbox now... "Pretending that you already know the answer when you don't is not actually very helpful." ~Migeru.
I got an e-mail on May 25 about candidate selection for the European Parliament with an application deadline on July 2. It turns out (as I found out today) that for England the real deadline was May 25. Go figure. Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
It's probably possible to run as an independent as well, as opposed to on a party list. Can the last politician to go out the revolving door please turn the lights off?
Running for office is a huge time committment. And I'll give my consent to any government that does not deny a man a living wage-Billy Bragg
