My Dad and his polotics

[laurelbunny]

Sorry to waste anyone's time, but i am a 12 year old girl, and my dad told me to come here and ask a question. He wanted me to ask, "what can I do for the 08 election?" Like i said I'm a twelve year old, and told him a kid couldn't have an influence on stuborn adults like him :hippie:

[Mythsaje]

1. Learn all you can and talk to everyone who'll listen.

Everyone has a voice.

[Hoof Hearted]

2. Sweetheart you are NOT wasting anybody's time. It's great to see kids interested in

politics. I hope you enjoy your holiday vacation and the upcoming primaries, too. Do you have any classes on politics and history this year?

[laurelbunny]

nope

No, none at all, I'm only in 7th grade, i just hate when our teachers talk about politics though, they think we're so clueless.

[goodgd_yall]

Do you have a favorite candidate?

If he or she comes to your area, have your dad take you to a rally or other event for that candidate. By being present, you show your support. Have your dad put a bumpersticker on his car. That was the kind of thing I was doing when I was your age.

[laurelbunny]

9. Not really

They r all good in their own ways, i like chris dodd's voice though, i can understand what he's saying, that's like the only reason i watched them argue.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

3. Here is a link to a young woman who is very active in politics and spends much time here.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

http://www.avasarmy.com/ I am sure Ava would love to hear from you too.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

16. She is leaving for Italy in 3 days.

Yes, laurelbunny does need to contact her.

[SharonRB]

4. Learn everything you can

and try to volunteer on a local campaign if possible. All campaigns need help with things that you could help with like stuffing envelopes, helping around the office, etc.

It's great that you want to do something.

[jwirr]

37. My two daughters were younger than you are when they volunteered

in George McGovern's headquarters in Nebraska. They stuffed fliers into envelopes,helped make posters, talked to their friends, and one even acted as a runner (messenger) between McGovern's party and those of us working behind the scenes at one of his appearances. They were heart broken when he lost but to this day they are active in the Democratic Party. They know that even then they were working to protect their country.

[baldguy]

5. Write letters about your concerns to your local newspaper, Congressperson & Senators.

[laurelbunny]

11. okay

that makes enough sense

[Taverner]

6. Write, write, write

Write whatever you think...whatever you feel...whatever you want

Just write, dagnabbit!

[laurelbunny]

10. okay okay

i get it. :hippie:

[Botany]

7. Read and or listen to any story about anybody from more than 1 source

Always question things .... "Now why was that person saying that?"

Also if you have a local paper ... read the short headlines on pg 2 or 3
every day you know world, national, & state/local news ... that takes
5 minutes.

And if you want to work for somebody or some party call 'em up and
say you would like to volunteer .....

You can answer phones, stuff envelopes, do data entry into a computer,
help w/ yard signs, and so much more.

******************

But more important than anything take some time to be "a kid"
you know playing w/ friends, roasting marshmallows, and making
your friends laugh so hard pop goes out their nose.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. I learn from my kids and their friends all the time.

Don't sell yourself short. :)

CSPAN is having a video contest for students - with prize $$$. You could reach a lot of stubborn adults with a video. :D
http://www.studentcam.org/

[CrispyQ]

12. Get him this book, but read it yourself, too!

"We the People: A Call to Take Back America" by Thom Hartmann. Thom is one of best & brightest progressive voices. The book is written in a comic book fashion & it covers things most of us learned in 5th grade civics but have forgotten. It is a quick read & very good! This site has a few free excerpts. Check them out!

http://www.we-the-people-book.com/

And welcome to DU, laurelbunny! I'm thrilled you are interested in politics & how wonderful that your Dad is asking you for advice!!

:yourock:

:hi:

[laurelbunny]

13. thanks

:bounce: :bounce:

[Canuckistanian]

14. Twelve year olds are future voters, too

You're the ones whose future depends on the decisions made today.

I'm constantly surprised that more young people aren't speaking out about the world they're going to inhabit.

Is it a lack of knowledge about past history?

[laurelbunny]

15. I guess it's not cool to have knowledge about that stuff now

I got so mad cause i was listening to some "cool" people talk about Bush, they started out okay saying that he was dumb and all that, but then they started talking about how he was cool since he was from texas, smart politics doesn't exist in my school. Be glad u won't be here in the future.

[annabanana]

21. Oh we're not going anywhere in a hurry. . .

You sound smart enough to understand that "cool" and "not cool" don't really figure into this stuff.

I wonder if any of those kids know what their Rights as Americans are? (You know, those "Freedoms" that they keep talking about on TV).. It's not the freedom to choose "Coke" or Pepsi".

[laurelbunny]

32. even if they realized that...

they wouldn't say anything... peer pressure

[Canuckistanian]

27. My future is in Canada

Far beyond the reach of George Bush and his "helpers". I hope.

Oh, and by the way, no "cool" kids in Canada think Bush is cool.

He's pretty much hated throughout the world.

[laurelbunny]

30. i would hope so

He is a complete idiot, anyone could tell that, even if you're not from his country.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

17. Please contact Ava. She is leaving for Italy in 3 days

She is 16 and is really a great kid!!! You will hit it off with her, I am sure.

This is a link to her website:

http://www.peacetakescourage.com/page-home.htm

[Lex]

That is a great idea.

nt

[proud patriot]

29. Ava's Army Link for Young people

http://www.avasarmy.com/

[mitchtv]

18. and don't miss "Countdown".

with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. The real political news (the first half hour, anyway)
And stay plugged into DU;
WELCOME

[laurelbunny]

19. my parents watch it

My parents watch it a ton, wasn't Algore on tonight?

[mitchtv]

33. tonite was fluff

all this year's "Oddball" monthly winners (You tube stuff) a mention of Gore, but mostly stupid videos

[Lex]

20. My friend said she handed out leaflets for her candidate when she was 10!

Her dad and mom were involved with the local Democratic county party, and when they handed out leaflets before the Presidential election, she did too! She still remembers how great it was to be involved on a local level, even as a young person.

[laurelbunny]

23. yeah

my dad was vice chairman of the democratic party in the county we used to live in, and we went to fundraisers, and held up signs and gave out bumper stickers on the streets when i was in 4th grade, it was fun but this county's stinks.

[rurallib]

22. laurelbunny - kids know tricks that grown ups never think of

kids can be invaluable helping around a campaign office with a lot of the small tasks like envelope stuffing. They also can add some real insights on issues. Sometimes we grownups miss the obvious that kids don't. And sometimes kids know computer and cell phone tricks that we have never learned
Find an office near you and tell them when you are willing to work. They will make good use of you.

And laurelbunny - so happy to see you here :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[laurelbunny]

25. thanks

Glad to be here, it's been awhile.:headbang: :patriot: :kick:

[proud patriot]

24. You can write a Letter to the Editor

of your local paper . Encouraging people to think of the future , your future .

You can make flyers using some lyrics or quotes from our founding fathers
to instill a sense of social responsibility (voting, Volunteering) with
people your age .

Your lifetime will consist of undoing all the horrendous damage the republicans
have done to your future . We old folk (I'm only 38 LOL) are here to help.
All we have though is the wisdom of experience, but we are here .

"Do Something That You think Will Change The World" from the movie "Pay it Forward"

[laurelbunny]

26. I really try

I try to state my opinion, but i'm shy and don't always know the facts. I'm not the best public speaker, atleast not on my own opinion.

[proud patriot]

34. I know it can be very hard

Taking Drama or Debate in School can help build
your confidence to speak out .

[laurelbunny]

38. I do

I do take drama, i have a good voice and am very good at it, but i guess i'm just afraid about what people think of me when i public speak, I'm very self-conscious

:( :(

[patrice]

28. Mythsaje's advice is the best. Your voice is your Power.

Change and persuasion are driven by face to face relationships. Speaking out about things that people often avoid is also a good model for others.

Speaking at any opportunity, in a pleasant, informative, BRIEF, and maybe even funny way takes a bit of art, but no one likes a scold, nor someone who goes on tooo long, or is a bore. People ***need*** information. Explaining things also helps.

Speaking out and sincerity will draw like minded persons to you. Together you can decide what more to do.

Solidarity! laurelbunny.

P.S. Read The Constitution every few weeks or so.

[laurelbunny]

35. thanks

:yourock:

[FreeState]

31. you can make a huge difference

don't let anyone tell you you can't. When I was 16 I caught a politician stealing signs from peoples yards - I called the police and the more than 12 year incumbent lost his reelection bid - all when I was told I was too young to make a difference. Dont give up, learn live and speak out :)

[laurelbunny]

36. wow

thanks, cool story :bounce: