pudge's Journal: Lincoln Day Dinner

On Saturday night I went to the Lincoln Day Dinner, an annual county Republican fundraiser.

It was interesting seeing, essentially, everyone countywide who is important in the party in one place. The county councilmen, county sheriff (who is running for county executive in 2007), party officials, etc. We sat next to one of our district's two reps to the state House, Kirk Pearson. Mike Siegel gave a speech, as did former governor-elect Dino Rossi. The keynote was from Bob Williams, former WA candidate for governor.

Williams said one thing I've known, but just made me think. He said majorities don't change things; small groups of people committed to change accomplish change. It made me think of this journal and how my recounting of involvement with politics has encouraged others to, at least, think of becoming involved themselves.

It's why I am involved at all. I want to change things, so I get off my rear and do something about it. And it's why I bother posting this stuff: so any of you who wish to get involved will have the process demystified a bit, as that was always my biggest barrier to entry. I didn't know how to do things, what to do, how anything worked. I still don't know these things very well, but I figure, whatever I can pass on can help.

admirable

[tf23]

I have to admit pudge, you have my admiration. Most people are so damned complacent, they'll bitch and moan about "how things are" but most them never get off their asses to do anything about it.

I wish I had your drive to the same.

Re:admirable

[pudge]

I don't want your admiration, unless it is useful in encouraging you to be more active in some way, even if small. So if it helps in that, then good! If not, then stuff it! ;-)

Take Back Your Government

[Jhon]

Take Back Your Government [wegrokit.com] -- if you can find it, is a very interesting and insightful book on how one can be a part of the political process. The material is dated as it was originally written back in the 1940's, but the same basic truths apply. Namely that we are part of the 'system' regardless if we are active participants or not, that it's more productive to be an active participant and the citizen can exert their influence.

Yes -- it's written by Heinlein. Yes, he was an SF writter. He was many more

Involvement

[jdavidb]

It made me think of this journal and how my recounting of involvement with politics has encouraged others to, at least, think of becoming involved themselves.

Just went out this morning to vote on this [bedfordtaxrollback.com]. And now I'm thinking of getting involved by voting our mayor and some city council members out of office.

In the past 48 hours I've learned about nearly $750,000 wasted and lost dollars our city threw away last year.