dmelosi:
Vern,
If you have 10,000 people who would read what you say, maybe 1 tenth of 1 percent will become active in the process that way, maybe. Then some of those that do will become watered down in their thinking and compromise. That is what is happening time and time again now, politicians who used to be pro life have sacrificed their intergrity for the sake of power.
I formed the Republican Committee in my present county. We went from zero members to over a hundred. We have raised several thousand dollars for candidates, and regularly hold fish frys and barbecues to support candidates.
It only takes a handfull of determined people who are willing to work.
As my dad used to say, “Whether you think you
can, or you think you
can’t – you’re probably right.”
dmelosi:
The approach you suggest which many do is not much effect on the end result as far as making an impact. Perhaps long term, but I see a problem with the constant erosion of a strong pro life stance among all politicians.
The slide in American values started before I was born – and that was a loooong time ago. It isn’t reasonable to expect to reverse it overnight.
That’s why we have to work. If we fail, what better chance will the next generation have?
I did not know the law about not having to legally count write in votes.
dmelosi:
BUT, in addition to what you suggest…(I am active and vocal now), how can the people who agree with our stance make a difference?
First, find like-minded people – you’ll find them in unlikely places, from the Church to the local gun club. Look for people with a generally conservative outlook.
Then get them to do something – holding fish frys and barbecues works well around here, because it’s a community activity. My chuch is a tiny missionary church – but we hold fish frys for Lent, and get a lot of Protestants to come. We forge bonds with them. We are now moving to hold fish frys and barbecues for the local Right to Life committee – which will use the money for cable TV and newspaper ads. We will challenge other churches to join in.
dmelosi:
The anti life movement organizes very well to have their voice heard.
Which means we have to work all the harder.
But look at what you just wrote – it will be hard for you because they are organized and we are not! If we had been organized and working thirty years ago, the problem would have been solved by now.
But the older generation didn’t do its share. They sat on their hands and said, “what can we do?” We now pay the price of their inactivity.
dmelosi:
The pro life movement simply needs a way for the people who are not going to be active, still have a way for their voice to be heard.
Find little things for them to do. Ask someone to contribute napkins, or serve as cashier at a fish fry. Take baby steps, and soon these people will be intergrated into an effective organization and willing to take on more.
dmelosi:
What you say above makes sense, but I am afraid we are losing ground, look at all of the pro choice republican candidates.
That’s because we didn’t act in time.
We can’t reverse the clock - -but we can start now and have an impact in the future.
