Parties go after votes, which means they focus on issues that are important to the people who will most likely vote. It's not an accident that both parties are attentive to Medicare and Social Security. It's because they know if they don't, they'll pay a price with seniors.
-
-
Show this thread
-
Parties aren't set in stone, either. If you follow me here on Twitter, you may have noticed me explaining that they have actually changed a little over time, shifting radically on key issues -- solely because they thought they could get the votes of more voters that way.
Show this thread -
So, if you want your issue to matter to politicians, first, you need to make it clear that they will pay a price for ignoring you. Sitting out the political process doesn't hurt them one bit. In fact, it makes their life *easier* because they have fewer voters to reckon with.
Show this thread -
Voting for a party's candidates (especially in a primary where there are different options) is a key step here, but go a step further and work to take over the party itself. Show up at party meetings, make your voice heard, do the grunt work, run for local office, all that.
Show this thread -
Listen, I work on the history of modern conservatism. At mid-century, conservatives were largely on the outs of the political process. The felt ignored too. But they went to work and effectively took control of the Republican Party over a few decades. Now they set its agenda.
Show this thread -
If you don't like what the major parties are doing, get in there and force them to address your issues. If enough people like you make your voices heard, then they'll have to listen, if only because it'll be in their *own* self-interest to take you and your interests seriously.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
This is petty but the smiling faces in the photos are driving me fucking crazy
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
Voting is not just a right, it's a duty.
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
-
-
This Tweet is unavailable.
-
So...your argument is "They're not going to vote, so you shouldn't tell them how wrong that is, because then they might not vote."
- Show replies
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.