Effecting Change in a Democracy (Peacefully)

[Rensa]

So I was chatting to a mate the other day about all this censorship malarkey, and eventually we started talking about politics more generally. And he said something to the effect of:

"So what do you expect to do by joining a Facebook group? That's not gonna achieve anything," to which I replied:

"I know that, but it's a good way to keep up with news on the issue."

And we started talking about other forms of effecting change. Neither of us is much of a protester; we've both tended to consider that it's preaching to the choir. But I've started to wonder lately if, as I said the other day, my reticence is more of just a generally negative stereotype of protesters than any rational objection to the practice.

So I come to you guys with the question: which mechanisms of persuasion do you employ when you're against some piece of legislation or political decision? Do you get on the streets with a placard in an organised protest? Do you break out the pen and paper or the keyboard and write to your representative? What do you think's most effective?

(again, assuming peaceful means of persuasion here)

[MikeWolfskin]

Truth I'm just to say it as I see but can we stop with the government fights already? It's getting heated and old fast. Come on guys fight about sandwiches again or something this is old. Note it is not my indecision's to to dis rial a thread here, but I have to wonder if anyone else is getting beyound sick of all this government war room topics on are forums. Fight about something different.

[virion]

^i don't really see this as being a thread to really argue in.. i think he's just wanting ideas and other people's perception on ways to rally a change. whether it be locally or nationally.

i don't have anything to actually contribute here. sorry rensa.

[HGW XX/7]

Depending on your representatives, writing to them can help quite a bit depending on the situation.

Protests CAN help, but I think that's only if it's something really big.

I honestly think being vocal about it by creating websites and crap about it can help, but that might just be ' preaching to the choir' as you said with protests.

You have to be vocal about it, but you can't be obnoxious about it. If the public things you're being obnoxious they'll go against you nearly every time.

[Lizzaroni]

Writing is my personal favorite. If stuff keeps sucking I'm going to go old school and give myself a classical pseudonym and write my local paper.

EDIT: BUT DON'T TELL ANYONE!

[Rensa]

Mmm, writing is what I would lean toward. If I wasn't getting anywhere I'd consider an open letter. Maybe even try a bit of freelance journalism if I was really desperate.

Originally Posted by Lizzaroni

Writing is my personal favorite. If stuff keeps sucking I'm going to go old school and give myself a classical pseudonym and write my local paper.

EDIT: BUT DON'T TELL ANYONE!

Classical as in Zeus and Hera or as in Alert But Not Alarmed?

[Lizzaroni]

I was thinking along the lines of how Madison, Hamilton, and Jay all wrote The Federalist Papers under the name Publius.

[Smokey]

Kinda like Sean was saying, I think we've got the same negative opinion of protesters that you seem to have over there. Expressing displeasure is one thing; everyone loves to bitch (that's all some people do, in fact). But this is America. You're not supposed to get active. Just take a look at Chicago and see how they feel about getting active (well, except for Obama).

EDIT: Not sure if that time here in the US will help you get that Chicago reference or not, Rensa...

[Rensa]

^ Sorry, not at all

I s'pose I don't wanna be judged as a dirty socialist hippie... maybe I'll go to a protest in a thousand-dollar suit

[HGW XX/7]

Originally Posted by Rensa

^ Sorry, not at all

I s'pose I don't wanna be judged as a dirty socialist hippie... maybe I'll go to a protest in a thousand-dollar suit

I would look upon your argument much more favorably.

If you look like a dirty socialist hippy, I don't wanna listen.

[Smokey]

Originally Posted by Rensa

^ Sorry, not at all

Chicago's the City of the Big Shoulders. It's pretty representative of the rest of America, except the shoulders aren't the only things about Americans that are big. In fact, they are often out-massed by other parts of our anatomy (and I fully expect some insanely inappropriate comment from either Sean or Epic).

[HGW XX/7]

Originally Posted by Smokey

Chicago's the City of the Big Shoulders. It's pretty representative of the rest of America, except the shoulders aren't the only things about Americans that are big. In fact, they are often out-massed by other parts of our anatomy (and I fully expect some insanely inappropriate comment from either Sean or Epic).

Even when it's cold, I'm a big American.

[DEATHSTAR]

Chicago was voted America's fattest city at some point recently. We like food up in these parts. WHAT!

[Smokey]

Originally Posted by HGW XX/7

Even when it's cold, I'm a big American.

You're so predictable, it's pathetic.