What Can I Do to Influence Society?
by Marcielle Brandler
I believe in taking action. It is fine to engage in long, deep conversations about what should be done to improve our country, but action gets things done, obviously. When I lived in Utah, a girl asked me where I was from. I said, “California.”
She asked, “Braggin’ or complainin’?”
I should have said, “Braggin’.” For me, California is the place to live because of its diversity and progressiveness. In order to keep it that way, I work with my party and the League of Women Voters. I visit senators’ and congresspeople’s offices with various groups in order to get them to consider certain bills and to register our concerns on issues such as immigration, charter schools, the environment, wars we are fighting, and more.
I even send tweets and emails to party leaders on both sides with my opinions, and also with praise and support. It is important to be very respectful of their position. I have tweeted Mitch McConnell, Mitt Romney, Adam Schiff, Chuck Schumer, William Barr, Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, and others. I also tweet newscasters and talk-show hosts such as Trevor Noah and Chris Hayes. It is important to be aware of of bills that are being proposed by lawmakers. They affect us all very directly.
It is incumbent upon us to work on political campaigns. A person can make phone calls to voters, and write post cards, oftentimes as part of a house party given by a close-by neighbor. I met some of my best friends at these events and one lives just four doors away, yet I had never met her until I picked up post cards at her home.
There are numerous groups in your area. You can do a web search on Google, MoveOn.org, or on your party’s website. Inform yourself. Even your temporary ballot has info for you.
Before voting, I read my informational pamphlet carefully and put question marks on issues that I want to research. I look up the judges who are listed on the ballot. I read who supports candidates and bills. The League of Women Voters often have panel discussions on bill proposals, but they never take sides on candidates. See their website. On your temporary ballot, see who supports bills and candidates and who does not.
It can take me a few weeks to decide how I will vote. When I get my smaller pamphlet which is my temporary ballot, I fill in the circles for my voting decisions. Because I always vote by mail, I get my ballot and either mail it or drop it in the City Hall’s ballot box, where I know it is safe. Sometimes, I like to vote in person, so I can see my neighbors vote.
Those who whine constantly about what is wrong are probably not part of the solution. Working for a solution makes us feel like we have a stake in the outcome, and it satisfies that need to see change, especially when things go our way. I helped influence Assembly Member, Chris Holden and other leaders to write a bill and I saw it become law. That felt so good.
Your secretary of state has voting instructions on their website. Check it out and begin the great adventure of being an active citizen.
Professor Marcielle Brandler is the author of five books, an award-winning poet, film and tv producer and host. Featured in Who’s Who in the World for several years. Her articles and poems have appeared in journals since 1976. Her poems have been translated into Czech, French, Arabic, and Spanish, and published internationally.
Her websites are: Marcielle Presents!
Abe’s Question | Marciellepresents09’s Blog (wpcomstaging.com)
and English with Marcielle
