The Antidote to Voter Apathy & Improved Election Outcomes:
The Political Committee Person
By Lois Kaneshiki
As expected, the voted turnout was abysmally low in the May Primary. We would all hope that Republican and Democratic voters would care who their next U. S. Senator and Governor would be, but most seemed content to let the party [...]
The Antidote to Voter Apathy & Improved Election Outcomes:
The Political Committee Person
By Lois Kaneshiki
As expected, the voted turnout was abysmally low in the May Primary. We would all hope that Republican and Democratic voters would care who their next U. S. Senator and Governor would be, but most seemed content to let the party regulars decide for them.
What kind of outcome do we get from this kind of voter behavior and what can we do about it, if anything?
The “party regular” is the voter who will come out and vote “no matter what.” They believe it is their civic duty to vote and they take pride in their flawless voting record. We know they vote incumbents back in office the majority of the time, even though most people seem to be dissatisfied with the performance of this same government.
Why Don’t People Vote?
We currently have a small minority of eligible voters electing candidates to office. The vast majority of citizens don’t feel it is worth the effort to educate themselves about the candidates, don’t have the time, or have some other “it just doesn’t matter” type attitude.
If you ask them why they don’t vote you will get various answers such as, “they are all the same,” “they are all corrupt,” “nothing will ever change,” etc. It is a very fatalistic and pessimistic attitude. They feel these are people who are far away, out of touch, and somehow all fall into the same unfavorable category of “politician.”
Before we look at how to address this phenomenon, we have to examine its roots and see what might be the plausible approach to changing these voter attitudes.
Addressing the Problem
First of all, can we blame the candidates themselves?
Are they really all the same? Are they really all that bad?
Most of us involved in politics do not believe this for one minute. Otherwise we would not invest the time we do to try to influence the outcome of elections.
Let’s assume for the moment that the non-voters are wrong; there are options and not all candidates are alike.
How do we convince them of that? Through political advertising? Obviously not. Milllions of dollars are spent every election cycle and we still get abysmal turnout numbers.
The Alternative: Grassroots Politics
What is the alternative? The alternative is the exact opposite of what the political “experts” and consultants want us to believe. It is not more money. It is more organization. It is old-fashioned grassroots politics. This is the function of political campaigns, but even more importantly, the county committees.
The Crux of Voter Apathy: Lack of Relationship
Voters are apathetic because of the failure of the political parties to develop local and lasting relationships with their voters that transcend specific elections. Of course the voters do not trust politicians, because they know politicians will basically say what is necessary to get elected. So who can they trust?
That is where the county committeeman or woman comes in. The purpose of the county committeeman is to establish the link with the local voter with the Party. They are the local contact, the liaison, between the party and the voters in the precinct. They are the “go-to” people in between and at election time. They know where to get the information and will help voters stay informed about candidates and elections. They have an incentive to be honest and trustworthy with their local constituents, because they are not running for local office – they represent the party now and tomorrow. If they do not do a good job, the voters will elect someone else the next election cycle to re-elect them.
Unfortunately, the parties have gotten so far away from the grassroots representation that local voters not only do not expect their local committeeman to perform this function, but most of the voters do not even know they exist. We have a lot of rebuilding to do.
Politics is all about Relationships
If you doubt what I say, think about the “talented” politicians you have known in the past. They are people the voters feel they can “relate” to in some way or another. They are people they know personally (if it is a local office.) The voters have the impression they can be trusted. They are not stiff and academic. They come across as real people who are likeable and seem like they care about us. This either is or simulates what a person would be if you were to establish some kind of relationship.
Establishing Relationships Will Increase Voter “Connectedness”
If voters feel disconnected from the political process, the committee people can change that impression through making regular contact of some kind and letting voters know they are there for them if they need information, etc. This can be done in person, over the phone, through email, or the Internet. This can also be done more regularly and more locally by recruiting “block captains” within the precincts who will be responsible for a smaller section of the precinct.
Local Outreach Benefits the Party & Its Candidates
By reaching out at the local precinct level, the committee people help improve the image of the party. They are letting the voters know they are important.
The committee people are experts in their precincts. They are better resources to candidates and the party than any professional polling, because they are speaking directly to the people and know what they think. Voters are honest with them because they have established their credibility and they are not running for public office. Just as it says in our state committee handbook, they are the “most important link in the organization of the Republican Party.”
Local Outreach Improves the Process
When the voters feel more connected to the process they will participate more. People who haven’t voted may feel motivated to vote. People who only vote will be more motivated to volunteer a few hours of their time. Everyone will feel more hopeful about the process because their neighbor cares enough to stop by and give them some information.
Local Outreach Increases Awareness
When voters are visited by party representatives, they will have an opportunity to ask questions. They will know who they can call if they think of questions later. An informed voter will give us a better result on Election Day!
Recruiting Better Candidates & Getting Them Elected
Ultimately, more participation in the process from everyone will attract a higher caliber candidate and help us get these candidates elected through awareness.
Ending at the Beginning
I hope you see how important the committee people are. When we have brought the process back to the grassroots, we will realize how important it is to have good committee people who are able to organize the precinct. I hope that this will attract the kind of committee people who understand how important their work is, take it seriously, and utilize their important position within the party.
Thursday, August 26, 2010 11:21 AM by Lauren Forbes
At a town hall meeting in Libby, Montana, Sen. Baucus admitted to not having read the healthcare bill before passing it. In response to a Libby resident demanding to know if Sen. Baucus had read the healthcare bill before passing it, Baucus not only took credit for [...]
Thursday, August 26, 2010 11:21 AM by Lauren Forbes
At a town hall meeting in Libby, Montana, Sen. Baucus admitted to not having read the healthcare bill before passing it. In response to a Libby resident demanding to know if Sen. Baucus had read the healthcare bill before passing it, Baucus not only took credit for “essentially” writing the healthcare bill that passed but then stating:
“I don’t think you want me to waste my time to read every page of the health care bill. You know why? It’s statutory language…We hire experts.”
Unfortunately, Baucus is not the only senator who couldn’t be bothered to read the health care overhaul before passing it. Even worse, as the chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Baucus feels it is a prudent use of tax dollars to ignore his own job and hire “experts” to do it for him. Unfortunately, it is a small wonder that lawmakers continue to emerge claiming to not have read the bill. The behemoth legislation, chock-full of sweetheart deals and wasteful spending, is emblematic of how this Congress had conducted business – behind closed doors and without any of the transparency taxpayers were promised).
In a recent testimony before the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, Americans for Tax Reform president, Grover Norquist pointed out that a five-day waiting period would have at least reduced the cost of the health care bill by exposing some of the nefarious dealings in it and at most could have stopped the thing together. This is because it would have given taxpayers a chance to see the bill before it was voted on, and allow them the opportunity to put pressure on their elected officials. By virtue of the bill being available, it would have exposed the invidious waste, onerous regulations and massive spending that taxpayers, on average, oppose.
Republican Leader John Boehner has proposed a similar idea on America Speaking out that would require bills to be available for three days before a vote could take place. While short of the full five days we feel is necessary to ensure true transparency, a resolution to this effect would be far better than the status quo – opaque politics and a broken promise from Speaker Pelosi.
By Peter Suderman | August 26, 2010
If you like your health care plan, tough luck—if you’re on a Medicare prescription drug plan:
More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they’re perfectly happy with it, thanks to an attempt by the government to simplify their lives.
The policy [...]
By Peter Suderman | August 26, 2010
If you like your health care plan, tough luck—if you’re on a Medicare prescription drug plan:
More than 3 million seniors may have to switch their Medicare prescription plan next year, even if they’re perfectly happy with it, thanks to an attempt by the government to simplify their lives.
The policy change could turn into a hassle for seniors who hadn’t intended to switch plans during Medicare’s open enrollment season this fall.
And it risks undercutting President Barack Obama’s promise that people who like their health care plans can keep them….”As a result of this policy, there are going to be fewer plans offered in 2011,” said Bonnie Washington, a senior analyst with Avalere Health, which produced the study.
If you like your health care plan, better luck next time—if you’re a college student:
Along comes word that the bill “could make it impossible for colleges and universities to continue to offer student health plans.” That’s how the American Council on Education and a dozen other higher-ed lobbies put it in a recent letter to the Obama Administration, warning that the insurance coverage they offer may get junked by ObamaCare’s decrees.
Between 4.5 million to 5.5 million students annually are insured by short-term plans sponsored by their schools, which are tailored to upperclassman who have aged out of their parents’ coverage or to international and graduate students. These plans are very low cost because the benefits are designed for generally healthy young people and often organized around campus health services and academic medical centers.
All of which means these plans aren’t likely to qualify under ObamaCare’s “minimal essential coverage” rules that mandate rich benefit packages, even if colleges have the flexibility to make exceptions for special needs. And given that insurance must now be sold anytime to everyone, colleges may be required to continue to cover students after they’ve graduated-leaving this type of coverage unaffordable.
If you like your health care plan, cross your fingers and hope you’ll like your new one better—if your employer sponsored plan doesn’t meet the law’s strict grandfathering requirements:
While many U.S. companies initially hoped they could preserve much of their existing group health plans under the new grandfather provision, a new survey by Hewitt Associates, a global human resources consulting and outsourcing company, shows that almost all now believe they will not. Ninety percent of companies said they anticipate losing grandfathered status by 2014, with the majority expecting to do so in the next two years.
Under the “grandfather” provision of the U.S. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, companies can maintain many of their current health care coverage provisions and are required to make fewer changes to plan documents and administrative procedures in order to comply with the new law. Companies can lose their grandfather status if they take certain steps such as reducing benefits, significantly raising co-payment charges, significantly raising deductibles or changing insurance carriers.
According to Hewitt’s survey of 466 companies–representing 6.9 million employees–most companies expect to lose grandfather status because of health plan design changes (72 percent) and/or changes to company subsidy levels (39 percent).
None of this is exactly surprising—at least if you’ve been paying attention. Any health system overhaul as sweeping as the PPACA was bound to upset existing coverage arrangements, especially given the dominance of insurance in American health care. But given how disastrous the possibility of forced plan changes proved to HillaryCare in the 90s, the law’s supporters couldn’t admit that. So President Obama and congressional leadership and the progressive activist class had to promise, repeatedly, that no one would have to change plans if they didn’t want to.
We need volunteers to help staff the Blair County Tea Party booth at the Altoona First Festival at Lakemont Park Friday, Sept. 10-Sunday, Sept. 12.
Please let us know if you can help! — Lois Kaneshiki 207-0011
We need volunteers to help staff the Blair County Tea Party booth at the Altoona First Festival at Lakemont Park Friday, Sept. 10-Sunday, Sept. 12.
Please let us know if you can help! — Lois Kaneshiki 207-0011
Free Constitutional Colloquium Online
September 16th & 17th
Register Here
On Nov. 2nd 2010. We can make History! It’s due time we turn this Country back to it’s “Rightful Owners”. We the People…
This Fall and again in 2011 we have the Opportunity to be heard Loud and Clear!
Please Join The Blair County Tea Party and the Elections and Government Affairs Committee in this [...]
On Nov. 2nd 2010. We can make History! It’s due time we turn this Country back to it’s “Rightful Owners”. We the People…
This Fall and again in 2011 we have the Opportunity to be heard Loud and Clear!
Please Join The Blair County Tea Party and the Elections and Government Affairs Committee in this Mission to Restore Honor Intrgrity and Fiscal Responsibility to ALL levels of Government. (Federal, State and Local). Now is our Time!
Look on the BlairCountyTeaParty.org web site. We are listing all the local and county officials whose terms are up next year. The voters need to decide who should stay and who should go!
At the Blair County Tea Party Sept. 14 meeting at the Ramada Inn, we will be recruiting volunteers who wish to become part of a team in their local area.
Hollidaysburg Area School District was the only school district in Blair County that did not raise taxes this year. This was no accident. A group of concerned citizens began watching and planning for over a year, doing everything possible to make sure we would not have another tax increase. If it wasn’t for this group of citizens, you would have had a tax increase again this year as a matter of course. If you continue to allow the same people to be re-elected to office term after term, or vote for people whom you don’t know, you will continue to get this result.
You should not count on others to do this work without your help. You need to be engaged. You need to play a part. We need all kinds of people and all kinds of help.
If you cannot make the meetings there are other ways you can participate. Don’t assume your limitations keep you from making a meaningful contribution!
Taking your country back begins in your own backyard!
Blair County
Tea Party
Elections &
Government Affairs Committee
Chairperson
Lois Kaneshiki
207-0011
lois.kaneshiki@blaircountyteaparty.org
Elections & Government Affairs Committee
2010 General Election November 2
Local Elections 2011
Mission: The mission of our committee is to further engage ordinary citizens in their local government to affect meaningful change and accountability, and to participate more fully in the election process.
We are looking for Block Captains who would like to reach out to their neighbors to help inform them about the Nov. 2 General Election and other local events. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 4.
Block Captains can do one or more of the following:
- Pass out flyers with general information about the election, e.g., who is on the ballot, etc.
- Register people to vote
- Campaign for a specific candidate
- Circulate information about Tea Party and other local political events
- Build a neighborhood email list to keep your neighbors informed
- Recruit volunteers to make phone calls and/or help on Election Day
- Notify your neighbors about local government and school board meetings
- Get feedback from neighbors on local, state & federal government issues.
Local Government Watchdog groups
We are looking for people to become part of our local Watchdog groups in the school districts and municipalities. We need leaders in these districts to bring issues to our attention issues so that local people can determine what action to influence local officials on behalf of taxpayers and ordinary citizens.
School districts, the city of Altoona, the boroughs and townships all have public meetings that citizens may attend.
Every municipality and school district has elected officials who are up for election in the 2011 May Primary. Those Democrats and Republicans who make it through the Primary will go on to the General Election in November. School Board director candidates may cross-file to be on the Primary ballot for both political parties!
If you attend your local government meetings you will see who needs to be replaced and who you should support for re-election. Some of your neighbors may be doing this already and you can compare notes with them to learn more and get a different perspective.
Anyone can run for these public offices. You do not need to be invited by anyone or a political party. All you need is to obtain your nomination petition in March and get the requisite number of signatures and file by the deadline. (You have approximately 3 weeks to do this. It is called “circulating” your petition.)
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS / VOTING MEETING
DONALD F. HOOVER, SR. BOARD ROOM
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
201 JACKSON STREET, HOLLIDAYSBURG
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 / 7:30PM
A G E N D A
Call to Order / Mr. Padamonsky
Pledge to Flag
Roll Call / Mrs. Baker
Audience
Business Office Report / Mr. Wilson
A. Announcements: The board met in executive session Wednesday,
August 18 for personnel
B. [...]
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS / VOTING MEETING
DONALD F. HOOVER, SR. BOARD ROOM
ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
201 JACKSON STREET, HOLLIDAYSBURG
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 / 7:30PM
A G E N D A
- Call to Order / Mr. Padamonsky
- Pledge to Flag
- Roll Call / Mrs. Baker
- Audience
- Business Office Report / Mr. Wilson
A. Announcements: The board met in executive session Wednesday,
August 18 for personnel
B. Minutes: Approve
June 16 Committee of the Whole 104-107
June 23 Voting 108-116
July 16 Committee of the Whole/Voting 117-122
C. Financial Reports for July, 2010: Approve
Treasurer=s Reports 123-129
List of Payments 130-154
Investment Portfolio 155
Food Service for June 156
D. Senior High Renovation Project Expenditures Approve
157
E. Food Service Contracts to Provide Meals for 2010-2011: Approve
Child Advocates of Blair County 158-161
IU8 Early Intervention 162-165
Extended Family Academy 166-169
F. A La Carte Menu Prices Approve
170
HOLLIDAYSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS / VOTING MEETING
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2010 – AGENDA, PAGE -2-
G. Blair County Tax Claim Bureau Repository Bids Approve
171
H. Federal/State Programs (2009-2010 Budget): Approve
2008-2009 High School History Preservation Train 172
Project: ($830)
2009-2010 Dual Enrollment: $22,595 173
I. Keystone Purchasing Network (KPN) Membership Approve
174-178
J. Revised Payroll Rates for 2010-2011 Approve
179
K. Agreement w/Easter Seals of Central Pennsylvania Approve
171-183
L. Act 48 Program Placement Agreement w/Extended Approve
Family Programs, Inc. 201-207
- Superintendent=s Report / Dr. Gallagher
A. Adjudication and Recommendation of the Hearing Approve
Officer, Terry W. Despoy, Esquire, in the case of student,
ID #905887
B. Personnel Approve
208-212B
- President=s Report / Mr. Padamonsky
A. Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center
B. IU08
C. Policy Committee
- New Business
- Adjourn / Mr. Padamonsky
Blair County Tea Party – BUS TRIP INFORMATION – 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally
If you do not receive your confirmation by email or postal mail by Wednesday, August 25, please call the number below. Thank you!
Departure Location & Time:
Parking Lot behind Macy’s, Logan Valley Mall, Altoona – Departure at 5 a.m. sharp! Buses will start to [...]
Blair County Tea Party – BUS TRIP INFORMATION – 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally
If you do not receive your confirmation by email or postal mail by Wednesday, August 25, please call the number below. Thank you!
Departure Location & Time:
Parking Lot behind Macy’s, Logan Valley Mall, Altoona – Departure at 5 a.m. sharp! Buses will start to board at 4:30 a.m. You must check in before boarding – we will have volunteers to assist you.
Please note that you are not pre-assigned to a bus. In order to quickly load passengers, please meet up with anyone you want to sit with before check in. The quicker we load, the quicker we depart! You will ride the same bus the entire trip. Buses will be assigned numbers to identify them. (Example “Bus #1”)
We will make a brief stop in Breezewood (15 minutes) on the way to DC. The rally is scheduled from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Depending upon our departure time from DC, which we cannot predict, we will either make another brief stop in Breezewood or a dinner stop on the way home.
What to bring: (from the official 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally website)
· Water, juice, soft drinks; (NO glass containers or alcohol please.) It is important that you stay hydrated! Washington can be VERY humid and hot this time of year. Remember, you will be outdoors for several hours in a large crowd, without shade.
· Bagged lunch or snacks
· Sunscreen or rain gear/umbrella. Don’t forget to check the forecast the day before to determine how to dress. Wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
· Medication
· ID
· Cell phone
· Spending money
· Camera
· Light weight folding/lawn chair or blanket
An important reminder from Glenn Beck:
The Restoring Honor Rally is neither a 9/12 nor a Tea Party rally. There will be absolutely no politics involved. This rally will honor the troops, unite the American people under the principles of integrity and truth, and make a pledge to restore honor within ourselves and our country.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Regarding Drop-off and Pick-up
For safety reasons, The National Park Service and DC Metropolitan Police will not permit buses to stop or park anywhere downtown with the exception of RFK Stadium. We will take the Metro from the Stadium-Armory stop on the Orange and Blue lines to the Smithsonian stop on the Orange and Blue lines. Attendees can then walk to the Restoring Honor Rally site at the Lincoln Memorial, approximately a one-mile walk.
AGAIN, NO BUSES WILL BE ALLOWED TO DROP PASSENGERS ANYWHERE NEAR THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL OR THE RALLY SITE. This is beyond the control of the Blair County Tea Party and Fullington Bus Lines. For your convenience, we will have roundtrip Metro passes available on the bus that you can purchase for $4.00 ea.
What can I NOT bring? (from the official 8/28 Restoring Honor Rally website)
As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from the event sites:
• NO signs (political or otherwise) as they may deter from the peaceful message we are bringing to Washington.
• Firearms (either real or simulated)
• Ammunition
• Explosives of any kind (including fireworks)
• Knives, blades, or sharp objects (of any length)
• Mace and/or pepper spray
• Helium balloons
• Sticks or poles
• Pocket or hand tools, such as “leatherman”
• Packages
• Large bags (anything larger than a backpack)
• Duffle bags
• Suitcases
• Weapons of any kind
• Aerosols
• Laser pointers
• Animals other than service/guide dogs
• Structures (i.e tents)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Other items that may pose a threat to the security of the event
The Blair County Tea Party reserves the right to refuse any passenger to board with these items. In order to respect the wishes of the event organizers, to allow quick loading of buses, and for the safety of fellow passengers and rally members, please leave the above items at home or in your personal vehicle.
Where is the Restoring Honor event located?
The event stage will be located on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC. Several video screens and sound towers will be placed along the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and on the grounds of the Washington Monument.
Remember that these monuments are located in a National Park and are open to the public as well as attendees of our event. Safety for all is our primary concern so please follow all rules posted and be respectful of all in attendance.
PLEASE NOTE: Do NOT engage in any type of verbal or physical confrontation with any would-be detractors. The best policy is to move away from the situation and seek out a National Park Service or DC Metropolitan Police member for assistance.
What considerations are being made for persons with disabilities?
All metro stations are ADA accessible. The National Mall and the event site are accessible to wheelchairs. Unfortunately however, we are not permitted to allow buses to drop off people at the Rally site. If you travel from RFK stadium you can take the Metro, which is ADA accessible to the Smithsonian station on the Orange and Blue Lines. The distance from the Smithsonian Metro Station to the event site is almost one mile.
Please call 814-515-9TEA (9832) with any last minute questions or concerns. Thank you.
Laurie Smith, Darlee Sill, Eric McCoy (not running again?), John Beyer, Joe McDonald (elected last year to fill a vacancy)
School board director candidates may cross-file in both political parties for the May Primary Election.
School board directors are agents of the state.
Laurie Smith, Darlee Sill, Eric McCoy (not running again?), John Beyer, Joe McDonald (elected last year to fill a vacancy)
School board director candidates may cross-file in both political parties for the May Primary Election.
School board directors are agents of the state.
Timothy Lucas, Mary Kimmel, Margaret “Ticky” Hendricks, James Walstrom, Mary Ann Bistline
You need 10 signatures on a petition to get on the ballot in May for school board director. You may cross-file in both political parties.
School board directors are agents of the state.
Timothy Lucas, Mary Kimmel, Margaret “Ticky” Hendricks, James Walstrom, Mary Ann Bistline
You need 10 signatures on a petition to get on the ballot in May for school board director. You may cross-file in both political parties.
School board directors are agents of the state.