I'm running for Local Office: Share with friends!

Discussion in 'Elections & Campaigns' started by jaktober, May 17, 2014.

  1. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    I am running for City Council in my hometown of Sonoma, California: http://votejack.org

    I have links to my Twitter, Facebook and Rally pages on there, as well as a couple articles about local issues.

    I'm trying to inspire more people to run local campaigns. Youth, progressives, libertarians, anyone that wants to bring new ideas to the table.

    What do you all think? Should we put more attention behind local candidates? Or should we continue to focus only on Presidential campaigns? Seem like more attention is on 2016 than 2014 right now.
     
  2. Think for myself

    Think for myself Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    What is your stance on the pink ice cream shop door on the plaza? Should folks be allowed to adorn their businesses? Or can we safely say that Sonomans need something more important to worry about?
     
  3. Csareo

    Csareo New Member

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    Unfortunately, your right. People focus to often on the higher ups, with local elections riddled in low turnout. Usually people get in higher office and use their influence to get the people they want in local office. Its been a plague here in Michigan.
     
  4. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    I supported the Pink Door. I respect the preservation of our historical buildings, but I also want people to feel free to make their own history. I support our chain-store ban, outside of that I want to give businesses as much oppurtunity to thrive as possible (while respecting concerns brought up by residents).

    I was pleased that the City Council voted 4-1 against the appeal, and at the same time, I appreciated Councilmember Barbose's commit in favor a civil discourse. I've lived in third-world countries and have volunteered in American ghettos. I try to remind people here regularly how well we have it here.

    I am a registered Green, but actually just got off the phone with a leading Republican in the Valley, and talked about how we need to get rid of the rhetoric (such as, "you're anti-business" or "you're destroying our heritage" or "don't you have anything better to do?") and treat each other with dignity.. We can have honest disagreement over things like a Pink Door. Appeals are part of the process. There was a massive showing at the City Council meeting in support of the pink door, and ultimately the City Council voted against the appeal.

    The history of Sonoma is a battle for balance between growth and preservation. It is how we engage in the debate that is important. We can't fight change, but we can't lose our history either. Most of us respect that balance. Our challenge is how we go about the differences in opinion as to best move forward.

    I'm a big fan of "Non-Violent Communication," which I reference on occasion at City Council meetings and on my social media pages.
     
  5. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    I have been sharing the idea that "the National campaign is local campaigns." I'd like to see more people give small amounts to local candidates around the country. I think that'd make a huge difference, and having that base support would help inspire others to run local. I've gotten money from people I worked with around the Country, and we keep in contact and support each other in our local efforts.
     
  6. Csareo

    Csareo New Member

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    Are you a member of a political party? Gaining membership in any group will greatly influence your chances of winning any level election. Even if its third party, you can appeal the party treasurer or commission for funding on your local campaign.
     
  7. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    I am actually the Treasurer for the Green Party of Sonoma County. I'm hoping I can continue taking on that responsibility throughout the campaign. Not a lot of funds for helping campaigns right now ( https://rally.org/greenpartyofsonomacounty ). I also have worked with the Democrats and Republicans, and will hopefully get all three Parties' endorsements.
     
  8. Gatewood

    Gatewood Well-Known Member

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    Look, nobody wants to run you off but -- fair warning -- there's no quicker way to loose your zest for participatory politics than to begin regularly posting on a political forum's board. But good luck to you.
     
  9. Csareo

    Csareo New Member

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    So the amount of activity he has....... is subjective to his popularity?
     
  10. Gatewood

    Gatewood Well-Known Member

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    I have absolutely no idea what you mean by that.
     
  11. Csareo

    Csareo New Member

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    You said peoples view on his political competence is subjective on his activity.

     
  12. Gatewood

    Gatewood Well-Known Member

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    Hmmm . . . let's try it this way. Here's what I meant by what I wrote. Quite often people relatively new to hands-on political activities BELIEVE in many different ideals. Constant exposure to either cynical posters or to outright lunatic posters tend to wear away at their belief over time. That's all I meant by what I wrote.
     
  13. Csareo

    Csareo New Member

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    Okie Dokie
     
  14. longknife

    longknife New Member

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    While I disagree with most of your political stances, congratulations for seeking to get involved in your community! We need far more non-professional politicians and lawyers to become involved at every level, starting a precinct.

    Stick to your guns. Keep your promises!
     
  15. Kranes56

    Kranes56 Banned

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    Good luck.
     
  16. Aleksander Ulyanov

    Aleksander Ulyanov Well-Known Member

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    Think globally, act locally. It's not just an environmental thing. All politics is local anyway.

    That being said DO remember that a local pol will win, and especially keep, office far better by concentrating on local issues and local people than by trying to push an ideology. Forget about most of the stuff you see posted about on here unless it directly affects your prospective constituents. Find out what entirely local issues people are (*)(*)(*)(*)(*)ing about and work with them. We had a local pol here with more party support than the Koch Bros, but as an incumbent he had failed to clear the snow out of the streets in a timely manner once. He was beaten solidly.
     
  17. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    Thanks for the comment.

    It is interesting how often non-local issues come up from my constituents. I had someone ask me about my position on fracking, that was his "make-or-break" issue with my campaign. It is unlikely I'd ever vote on anything having to do with fracking. However, City Council's do pass Resolutions supporting/opposing policy at the State and Federal Level.

    I had friends from High School go to Iraq. I would definitely want my City Council to do whatever they can (even if its passing a Resolution, and working with friendly City Council's around the county to pass similar resolution) to oppose unjustified military action that might put my citizens' lives in danger.

    My city is very world aware. We had a candidate last election that took the "stick to local issues" and did not do well. You need to be able to clarify what your role is, but also need to show knowledge of state and national issues, and understand how, if you can, effect them from your position.

    I have connections at the County, and even a bit at the State, level, and have oppurtunities to connect with members in Congress. As an elected Councilor I can use both those contacts, and my ability to communicate about those issue, to support my constituents' best interests. We are not just Sonomans, we are Californians and Americans.

    - - - Updated - - -


    Thanks! Like, follow, and share!
     
  18. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    Thanks! I have a lot of support from people in my town that, while we don't agree on everything, they agree with my process, and know that I'll listen and genuinely consider their point-of-view on any issue. My election will prove my approach works, and will hopefully, inspire more non-politician/lawyer to get involved. Any support, socially or financially, is welcome. We are a "tourist town" - my ability to appeal nationally only helps promote our town. It is a strength, not a weakness, in my race.
     
  19. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    That is a challenge in politics in general. I had a great conversation with our Mayor Pro-Tem last night, he reminded me to not take things personal, and don't get discourage when negative opinions get published in the local papers (because it will happen). I've been yelled at during public speaking engagements, had people get very cynical during conversations. How you deal with it is part of what qualifies your for the positions. 9 out of 10 conversations/interactions are positive and inspiring, no point letting the 1 angry person deter you (because it has nothing to do with you).

    Thanks for your words of encouragement!!!
     
  20. RiseAgainst

    RiseAgainst Banned

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    I wish you hard times and suffering.
     
  21. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    [video=youtube_share;dhldbymXK-8]http://youtu.be/dhldbymXK-8[/video]

    I wish you peace with the world, and a long, happy, life.

    "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing." Peter 3:9

    "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:38

    "But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28
     
  22. RiseAgainst

    RiseAgainst Banned

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    Love it when leftist vermin spew bible verses.
     
  23. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    Love you brother!

    "If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." - John 4:20

    "Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness." - John 2:9
     
  24. Gatewood

    Gatewood Well-Known Member

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    Well, certainly you cannot listen to me and remain politically active as I am a cynic's cynic and train cynics in graduate cynicism where politics is concerned. In my advanced course if you find three good things to say about any national level politician during the course . . . then you flunk . . . :icon_jawdrop:
     
  25. jaktober

    jaktober Member

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    The irony is that even if you are completely cynical about the political process you are, in some way, asking something from those involved. At least, you are, by pointing out what is wrong, infering that there is something right to be done. Thus, you have a demand on the system which you are cynical about.

    Though, I sense that your cynicism is based on a genuine desire to not have to be cynical, and rooted more in humor than actual discontent.

    I'm reminded of the Big Lebowski, "Fair?!? Who's the - nihilist around here?"

    [video=youtube_share;7AEMiz6rcxc]http://youtu.be/7AEMiz6rcxc[/video]
     

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