The yard signs have come down. Losers are done urging us to support
winners. Winners have praised then forgotten their competitors. The general
elections of 1998 are history. It will be two years less two weeks before
we can have such fun again. That is right, we have only five score and two
weeks to go before November 2000 is upon us.

How shall a citizen pass the time?

For a start, reflect with the Asheville TRIBUNE and other journals on why
some candidates won and others lost. Times change and with them the signs
of the times. Election results suggest that voters have a weakness for
sunny, optimistic, witty candidates. Remember the end of the 1992 campaign.
A very serious George Bush called the Democratic camp "clowns." Governor
Clinton replied: "at least clowns make people laugh." Remember who became
President?

Among themes, education is big. Believing that a lottery is what it takes
to improve education in South Carolina, voters elected a pro-lottery
governor. So, let's pause and remember  the 1998 elections. What lines of
march do they suggest for us between now and November 2000?

--Assume that on November third you had found two highly qualified
candidates for the same position and had a hard time deciding which one to
vote for, let's say, Buncombe County Sheriff. Write a letter of
appreciation to the loser! After all, you believe that, if elected, he
would have done a good job. So give him heart to run again later.

--Keep on reading old and new books about government and politics. Take,
for example, the 1984 book, GENDER GAP: BELLA ABZUG'S GUIDE TO POLITICAL POWER FOR AMERICAN WOMEN.  Regardless of personal politics, look back at the Equal Rights Amendment and into the Carter and early Reagan years through feminist eyes. Bella Abzug's ability to yoke passion with pragmatism just might move you to conclude that politics is for you. Her practical tips, to any citizen who wants to make a difference through
politics, can be uncommonly wise.

--Pick out one or two newly elected candidates. Follow their careers. Every
couple of months check them out. How are they measuring up? If you can,
call on them in their office. Share your ideas. If they merit a pat on the
back, then give them a sincere one.

--If you do not belong to a political party, then pick one at random and
study it for an hour or two every couple of months. Why was it created?
What problems did it address then? Which problems now? What are its
strengths and weaknesses? Is it a party for all the people? If you are
already a Republican or Libertarian, then take a hard look at one of the
other parties: Reform, Democratic, etc. What makes that other party
different from yours? Might your party adopt some rival techniques or
values?

--Select two or three issues. Read up on them. As your views evolve, test
them against those of your neighbors. Write to relevant office-holders
presenting your ideas and asking theirs. Want school vouchers or tax
credits for parents who send their children to non-public schools? Write
your State Senator or Representative in Raleigh. Want the U.S. to pay its
debts to the United Nations? Write your men and women in Washington. If you live near Asheville and have views about being annexed, write to the
Asheville City Council. If you do not express yourself, then people with
power might take your silence for approval of the status quo.

--Motivate the young to think kindly of politics and to consider making a
career in it. If you are looking for an organization that has focused for
85 years on helping teens become better citizens, then work with or join an
Exchange Club. Inspire your children, nieces or grandchildren to build
skills which will help them, should they choose either to run for elective
office or to support others. Such skills include thoughtful reading,
analysis of difficult texts, debating, running for (and doing a good job
holding) school offices and working on committees in Leo Clubs, Key Clubs
and the like. Take your young kinsmen and their friends out among the poor,
to law courts, to make friends with people of other religions and races and
to visit local, State and national legislators. Such activities show
youngsters both the potential and the limits of political power.

--Finally, don't just register for a political party. Get active in that
party. Start at the precinct level. I belong to a moderately moribund
precinct organization which makes 900 phone invitations and then has only
seven or eight people come to meetings. Yet that group recently motivated
eight people to make several hours of phone calls on election day to remind
people to vote. We found that volunteer effort satisfying. We built
camaraderie. We made a positive contribution. We now feel encouraged plan
to build a more imaginative and attractive precinct organization.

Here is some encouragement from one-time U.S. Representative from New York, the late "Battling Bella" Abzug. 
 

"Don't be afraid to speak up, and be sure to take some responsibility for implementing the suggestions you put forward. You'll win respect through your willingness to work. ... most local groups are searching for new blood and volunteers who are willing to assume responsibility... You will find little opposition to your ideas as long as you are prepared to take charge and provide a realistic plan for accomplishing your goals. The political process can work for you if you are willing to work in and through it." (GENDER GAP, p. 232f)

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