Republican Campaigns are fun - Part 2

Just a note on volunteering. Regardless of where you live in the Western world, if you can become active in local, state, and federal politics, give it a try. If you want to run for office, I suggest starting with the local school board or the local city council. Then move on to delegate and then up to Congress. You know your nation's politics better than I of course. If you don't want to run for office but want to help and to know what is going on locally and nationally, get involved in your local branch of the political party that best represents your views. I recommend one of the two major parties. Your representatives, delegates, and senators at all levels come to functions, meet and greet, and discuss issues and pending legislation. As I have learned, volunteering at the local level introduces you to many folks with vast experience. Also, it is good to know your representatives. They are in the people business so they will remember you. The areas where you can help are many and the area(s) you choose depend upon your skills. Some are:

• creating data bases for mailing lists;
• calling prospective voters;
• something as simple as stuffing envelops (I know this can be very specialized at national levels but local candidates are frequently on shoe-string budgets and can't afford the bells and whistles);
• creating and maintaining web sites;
• walking door-to-door and meeting folks,
• distributing literature, yard signs, bumper stickers; and
• manning booths at fairs, etc.;
• helping at fish fries, and other fund-raising activities;
• volunteering in a local party office where volunteers come for supplies; and
• working the polls on election day.

And it is never too early to start working on upcoming campaigns. Today, I have arranged to set up a data base for a candidate who will run locally in 2008. The key is to build the foundation so you can focus on other priorities later. As a volunteer, you work when your schedule permits and in most cases you can work at home. One can make more changes more easily working on the inside rather than screaming in from the outside. If you elect to participate in this way, enjoy. God bless you; God bless our fighting soldiers, Marines, et al; God bless our first responders; and God continue to help America defend herself and our way of life.