[congressman]

Whats the most powerful thing a citizen can do?

-vote?
-donate time to a campaign?
-donate money to a political candidate or organization?
-educate others on the issues?

Keep in mind, I'm using a hypothetical scenario... You only have the power to do one of the above. Which will you choose? And why?

[Joe Friday]

Whats the most powerful thing a citizen can do?

-vote?
-donate time to a campaign?
-donate money to a political candidate or organization?
-educate others on the issues?

Keep in mind, I'm using a hypothetical scenario... You only have the power to do one of the above. Which will you choose? And why?

You can do all four but the only thing that will really make a difference that you have any control over is your vote. By the way, I have donated money to several campaigns - the one I am really passionate about is to get John Russell of PA (a retired Army officer) elected over Murtha the 'traitor.' I constantly try to educate others on issues but they are not always willing to listen, an example would be the liberal democrats at the national level versus the local democrats who really do not think there is a difference. A prime example is the election of B. Hussein Obama (the Socialist). A lot of those people used their right to vote but did not have a clue about the issues and what Obama really stood and stands for.

All four are viable but the one that counts is to vote.

[congressman]

I do all the 4 myself. But if given the chance to do only one, or a mixture of the two.. I would donate my time, and educate (together). And when I'm in the educating mood, I usually give both sides issue, and sometimes some middleground. I believe that people have the right to make their own decision, and need to know all the facts. Pro's and Con's of every issue... The problem I have with donating money (which I do in large amounts) is that its hard to tell where the money goes afterwards. Which explains why I usually work for the group I donate to, or directly to a campaign itself (of which I've worked for in the past as well..)

I just hope that we don't have people on this board who don't do some, or even all of the above. We as Americans give other people the power to control the future of this nation.. its too important to not know the consequences of uneducated actions, or lack of action.

[nky]

Vote

[Stardust]

Voting gets what? Someone who has the same ideology as you? That's about it, there is no guarentee that they will take any action based on a campain or promise. Educate others to take action. Politicians only react to numbers in a complaint or sugestion

[Old School]

Whats the most powerful thing a citizen can do?

-vote?
-donate time to a campaign?
-donate money to a political candidate or organization?
-educate others on the issues?

Keep in mind, I'm using a hypothetical scenario... You only have the power to do one of the above. Which will you choose? And why?

Voting, only gives your candidate one vote.
Donating time to a campaign, this can be done in several ways, stuffing envelops, going door to door, contacting people by phone etc. IMO you never know if you actually reach these people or not.
Donating money, I've always been leery of giving money especially on the state and nation level, because you know how these guys and gals waste money.
Educating others, would be my choice, many can be educated on the issues, which could mean many more votes.

[Joe Friday]

Voting gets what? Someone who has the same ideology as you? That's about it, there is no guarentee that they will take any action based on a campain or promise. Educate others to take action. Politicians only react to numbers in a complaint or sugestion

Voting gets your candidate elected. It is up to the citizen 'to be informed about issues and candidates and to exercise the right to vote that has been won for so many through the toil and tears of their predecessors.' Congressman's question was, "what is the most powerful thing a citizen can do?" How many people can a 'regular' citizen reach out and educate on a daily basis? What forum would a 'regular' citizen use? Are we talking about educating an additional citizen a day, an hour, a week, ...?

Glen Beck is a citizen but he is unique in that he can address thousands of citizens each day through his radio show and his TV show. He is responsible for the 9/12 project which spawned the TEA Parties, which in turn led to the march on Washington with thousands of motivated citizens. He is also responsible for the latest group to take action 'ASAMOM.ORG.' It now has 50,000 members and counting, which in turn led to the spin-off group MILMOM.ORG. It now has 894 members and counting. So, citizens are organizing because they share the same ideolgy. Glen Beck got citizens going to take action but these citizens, sharing the same ideolgy, educated about the issues that affect their daily lives does not mean one thing unless they VOTE!

If a citizen's Congressman or Senator does not represent the majority of his or her constituents (i.e. Town Hall meetings this summer), then the citizen can exercise the most 'powerful thing' he has available to him, the right to vote his representatives out of office.

I will stick with my first reply to Congressman's question because ultimately it is the reponsibility of the American Citizen to educate themselves on the issues and the candidates and then go to the polls and VOTE.alute: