I'm Running for Office in 2012

[true_notes]

That's right, you heard it. I'll be old enough, and I have lots of time to prepare. What spurred this? I am sick and tired of the workers and "normal" people getting shafted by the heirarchy of evil in this country. I understand there has to be a upper-middle-lower class in this nation to keep each other in check, but that doesn't mean the latter two have to be outrageously corrupt.

I started my second job, which has me working 80 hours a week now, and my wife and I only have 100 dollars left over when the working period is over (after bills, groceries, and baby stuff, etc.) This is by no means the America my parents grew up in, where my dad pulled 40 a week and a family of four lived comfortably.

I'm starting my doctrines and I'm going to try and gain support in my district and My goal is to be Tennessee State Rep. by 2012. This is my goal, and I will do it.

-TrueNotes

[MADem]

1. Start out running for a local office. School board, board of supervisors,

city council, what have you. The way to get known is to start at the bottom and work your way up.

[true_notes]

4. I wish....

In Tn, especially where I live, those seats are held by those in conjunction with the GOBN (Good o' boy Network). There is no chance in hell I would make them, because they are controlled by families (I.E. the County Clerk has been held by my father for 14 years.) Most of the voters there went to High School with the constituents and therefore are a shoe-in compared to the average guy that moved in when he was 30.

My plans are to get a house somewhere in the east or west of Tn, where times are constantly rough, and spread my word of honesty and hard working virtues I hold, and that I hold dear to my government.

I'll be 29 in 2012.

[JDPriestly]

6. You don't need to belong to the good ol boys network

1. Join your local Democratic Club if there is one. If not, work on a campaign. Get to know the local party activists. You may be surprised to find how happy they are to have your help. You will probably make lots of friends. Even though you are working two jobs, you can probably find an hour or so a month to attend a meeting. You will soon know all the good 'ol boys. Many of them started out just like you.

2. Walk precincts and table for other candidates and for issues you believe in. Again, you'll meet lots of people who think like you do. Shaking hands, starting a personal conversation, asking people about their families, their hopes, their dreams and their problems. Don't talk all that much about yourself or your ideas at first. Listen. You will meet this way. Show your interest in them. Go home and write down their names. Put each name and a few facts on a 3 x 5 card and review your cards every once in a while. Try to get as many phone numbers as you can without being nosy.

17 years ago, a woman came to our door, introduced herself and told us she was running for a low level office. It was her first candidacy. We were amazed to meet a real candidate and flattered that she came to our house on foot. She is now a very powerful well-known politician.

I know another guy who has enormous support. He attends every political function. I wonder sometimes whether he ever spends an evening at home. The funny thing is, I don't know what he stands for, and neither do my friends who support him enthusiastically. I don't personally vote for him because I don't live in his district. He runs on knowing lots of voters, not on his politics. Lesson in point: talk to voters and get to know them, and you can win.

[troubleinwinter]

9. MADem's advice is very good.

In my city of 24,000 several years ago, a "wild, crazy leftie liberal" woman won a city council seat in what had been a good ol' boy city hall. NO ONE dreamed she'd win. But she DID.

During her term, she earned a GREAT deal of respect from her fellow councilmen, and from many of the conservative residents.

During her term of service she opened many minds in our verrry conservitive town when extremely difficult, divisive issues faced us, and enabled the more moderate side of 'city hall' to 'come out', and for the town's people to work together for a good solution.

She'd have won re-election easily, but she moved.

She managed to get the town to quit the bloody battles and WORK together on a proper solution (well, OK, with help from folks like me). That's a very tall order. Our challenge was extremely dire, town desperately divided, but in the end we worked out a solution that worked well for all... we all won what we needed. We were all winners. Not a 'compromise', but a solution.

Not only did we find a solution that finally was good for all, the 'conservative' mayor came to me and asked me to run for CC. Yup, asked another whacked-out leftie crazy to run. Hah! We had won some genuine respect for the whacky lefties!

I think starting in smaller communities and actually working with people toward solutions is vital experience.

She had the guts to run when no one dreamed she'd win. Go for it. Saving America, one City Council at a time!

[niyad]

2. good for you!!!! can't vote for you from here, but bon chance!!

[hsher]

3. Congratulations and keep us posted

Seriously.


www.yourmorningleibowitz.blogspot.com

[darkmaestro019]

5. Go go go.

And start campaigning NOW, kind of. Get a Myspace and whatever the wide-net du jour is and get some noise going. I'd say it's never too early to start. Good luck--I resent being told my whole life that "anyone can be President" Anyone CAN, but not everyone MAY...or something...and that needs to change...

[Warren DeMontague]

7. Better Change Your Avatar.

Unfortunately, despite the fact that we're supposedly so successful at oppressing the religious majority in this country, it is virtually impossible for an "out" Atheist to get elected to anything.

Impossible.

[Bucky]

8. Start off volunteering, getting involved in community groups.

A strong resume and committed volunteers among diverse groups in your county are the key to having a good grassroots campaign. Also, don't have any skels in your closet. If I didn't have a messy legal history, I'd be taking the same vow. I'm fed up with how this country is allowing the American dream to shrivle up and fade.

[tomreedtoon]

10. A minor suggestion: take or leave it.

This isn't anywhere near the advice given by the others, which is all good. But think about it.

Sit down when you have a moment - which with an 80 hour week isn't easy - and think about the things you believe in, the things you hope for, the things you want to do.

Write them down and keep two copies. Put one copy in a safe place - safety deposit box, a box buried in your backyard, entrusted to a friend, whatever.

In 2011, when you begin your actual run for office, take a look at the coy you saved. Make sure it's still the things you believe in.