Ed wants YOU to help!

[EdFred]

Ok, the paperwork came in the mail from the state for my to get out there and start getting signatures. (No less than 3,000, no more than 6,000 - whew - more than I thought were required - but, oh well.)

So here's a favor I ask of the rest of you:

What questions do you want answered by your Congressman? What questions make or break the candidate for you? Not the answers, because I *know* not everyone will have the same answers, but what are the important issues to you.

Let's say, Non-Aviation issues since that voter base is, well, pretty sparse. I'm putting together a Q&A quick sheet that my signature getter persons can have in case the signators have questions - which they will.

 

[jesse]

Jobs.

 

[ScottM]

Ok, the paperwork came in the mail from the state for my to get out there and start getting signatures. (No less than 3,000, no more than 6,000 - whew - more than I thought were required - but, oh well.)

So here's a favor I ask of the rest of you:

What questions do you want answered by your Congressman? What questions make or break the candidate for you? Not the answers, because I *know* not everyone will have the same answers, but what are the important issues to you.

Let's say, Non-Aviation issues since that voter base is, well, pretty sparse. I'm putting together a Q&A quick sheet that my signature getter persons can have in case the signators have questions - which they will.

Don't ask me! You need to start knocking on doors in your district.

First step: Have a basic outline of yourself, why you want to serve, and how you can succeed. Study the local papers and read the letters to the editors. See if there is a pattern to who writes and how often. If you start to find a person that you agree with try and contact them and enlist there help to your campaign.

Question are running as an independent? If so you can get help from other independents but expect both parties to work against you. They will have precinct captains that are out getting signatures for your potential opponents. You might want to try finding a third party to help you. You need a budget and to track the expenses carefully. Become well versed on campaign financing. You should find a CPA that has handled election before. Not following this could get you disqualified or even worse arrested. There are so many rules it does not surprise me when politician make mistakes and get indicted.

Second Step: Start scheduling time to hit the trails. Spend weekends near places of public gatherings, if you have a commuter rail station in your town be there each and every morning.

Third Step: If you have not done so already get a copy of the campaign/election rules handbook from the appropriate agency in your state. In Illinois it is the board of elections and the county board. Start reading them, you will be surprised at how many rules there are to keep non-major-party candidates out of elections.

Fourth: Be true to yourself, say what you believe and not what you think they want to hear.

I have run for two offices and been elected to one. Contact me via email if you want to discuss further.

 

[Graueradler]

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERSONAL CHOICES. Not everything is the manufacturers responsibility because he forgot to tell you not to trim hedges with your lawn mower or use the electric drill on your teeth or because you had an accident caused by not comlying with an AD that has been out for years.

 

[gibbons]

What questions do you want answered by your Congressman? What questions make or break the candidate for you? Not the answers, because I *know* not everyone will have the same answers, but what are the important issues to you.

How much will I have to contribute to your campaign to get some special favors from you on down the road?

 

[poadeleted3]

Nobody who is pro-gun control will ever get my vote. An armed citizenry is a free citizenry, and all else is secondary to our freedom.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERSONAL CHOICES. Not everything is the manufacturers responsibility because he forgot to tell you not to trim hedges with your lawn mower or use the electric drill on your teeth or because you had an accident caused by not comlying with an AD that has been out for years.

Here hear...
Ditto that but, I wonder if that concept is just so scary-scary for most of the public that a politician could never successfully use it as a major plank in the platform ?

 

[Richard]

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PERSONAL CHOICES. Not everything is the manufacturers responsibility because he forgot to tell you not to trim hedges with your lawn mower or use the electric drill on your teeth or because you had an accident caused by not comlying with an AD that has been out for years.

While this is a very worthwhile issue I think a freshman congressman would be eaten alive by the ABA and others who are against tort reform.

The "A" word is the single most important issue for me.

 

[Paul Allen]

Nobody who is pro-gun control will ever get my vote. An armed citizenry is a free citizenry, and all else is secondary to our freedom.

Ditto! You are 100% correct.

 

[MSmith]

Ditto! You are 100% correct.

I disagree - I feel that you are 100% incorrect.

So, the point for Ed is this - you need to articulate a position on gun control.

Also:
Abortion
Campaign Finance
Stem Cell Research
Foreign Policy
Labor Rules (sort of pro-union vs. pro-business, but not that simple)
Balanced Budget
Additional Taxation vs. Reduction of services

That's all I can think of at the moment. At the Federal level, any big issue for the country is important.

 

[Everskyward]

I disagree - I feel that you are 100% incorrect.

So, the point for Ed is this - you need to articulate a position on gun control.

See, this is the problem with being a politician. Whatever your position probably half the people are going to disagree with you. Then if you take the middle road you're really screwed. Using gun control as an example, if you say, "I believe in a moderate amount of gun control" you'll alienate BOTH sides even though the middle road is probably the best in most cases.

Good luck Ed!

 

[ScottM]

See, this is the problem with being a politician. Whatever your position probably half the people are going to disagree with you. Then if you take the middle road you're really screwed. Using gun control as an example, if you say, "I believe in a moderate amount of gun control" you'll alienate BOTH sides even though the middle road is probably the best in most cases.

Good luck Ed!

The fourth point in message goes to this point. Once you start saying what you think they want to hear your will have taken a chip out of your ethics. Do it enough times and you are a "lying, good for nothing corrupt politician".

You will not have everyone agree with you on all things. If you think other wise you are in for a big shock. Be prepared to justify your position and to repsect the other position. Then look for common ground and for the compromise.

But before you even to a lot of this you need money to run. People need to know who you are, that means leg work. Do you have a local am radio station? Call them and try to get on the air for an interview, issue press releases about your campaign to the local paper, start calling the local paper as well.

Scott

 

[EdFred]

See, this is the problem with being a politician. Whatever your position probably half the people are going to disagree with you. Then if you take the middle road you're really screwed. Using gun control as an example, if you say, "I believe in a moderate amount of gun control" you'll alienate BOTH sides even though the middle road is probably the best in most cases.

Good luck Ed!

"I believe in gun control. I believe everyone sould properly know how to control a gun," he said while polishing his two rifles and a shotgun. I just ****ed off half the country? Oh well.

 

[Richard]

See, this is the problem with being a politician. Whatever your position probably half the people are going to disagree with you. Then if you take the middle road you're really screwed. Using gun control as an example, if you say, "I believe in a moderate amount of gun control" you'll alienate BOTH sides even though the middle road is probably the best in most cases.

Good luck Ed!

As long as it's not wildly outlandish and circumspect, people will respect you for your position. They may not agree, but they'll respect you because we're all used to being lied to. An honest politician would go far. OTOH, maybe I'm just naive, if that's the case it is time for a refreshing turn back to principals and character.

Only a fool would try to please all the people. Stick to your principals and your beliefs. And continue to develop a real understanding of the issues and your constituency--IOW, don't isolate yourself from the little people. Do this and you'll be the top vote getter every time.

 

[Everskyward]

"I believe in gun control. I believe everyone sould properly know how to control a gun," he said while polishing his two rifles and a shotgun. I just ****ed off half the country? Oh well.

You get my vote for having a sense of humor.

 

[Carol]

How much will I have to contribute to your campaign to get some special favors from you on down the road?

Ain't THAT the truth?

 

[Shipoke]

You still have my vote Ed, Dave G

 

[jdwatson]

Ed,
Check out www.vote-smart.org the Issues section.