Knowledge Resources
How much and what kind of
knowledge is needed by the average citizen to be effective? We believe that
twelve kinds of knowledge are needed. (Not all of this has to be
in your head at once!)
1. Basics of government. "Civics 101"
On the national level, this can be found at http://www.vote-smart.org/resource_govt101_01.php.
It includes, for example, the parts of government, and how a bill becomes
law.
The same information can also be found in Part 8 of our
online course.
2.
Names and contact information of your current elected representatives.
Federal and state officials can be found at www.vote-smart.org
if you know your nine digit zip code—enter it in the box on the left of
their home page. (If you don't know your last four digits, you can
find them through that web site, too.)
They can also be found at the US
government's own web site: http://firstgov.gov. Or
through this link http://capwiz.com/adc/dbq/officials/.
Local officials can be found through this page:
http://www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/Local_Government/Cities.shtml
3. What candidates and elected representatives stand for. This is best
learned not from their advertisements or interviews, but from their
voting records. For candidate voting records, detailed
breakdowns of the issues, and other facts, you can go to:
- Project
Vote Smart National Political Awareness Test
This is a questionnaire on most issues that Project Vote Smart
asks members of Congress and others to complete.
- For voting records of current
candidates click on "current candidates" in the red at the top of the
page. Project Vote Smart
- Issues 2000 This is not just a website about the 2000 election. Some
parts
are very current!
- What representatives stand for is in
part influenced by where they get their money. For state
officials, you can learn where their money is coming from. See
www.opensecrets.org
(Center for Responsive Politics) for national candidates
and www.followthemoney.org
(The Institute for Money in State Politics) for state
candidates to search their databases.
4. Knowledge of how to register to vote and voter
requirements.
Can I Vote? (created by state voting officials)
http://www.canivote.org/
Vote Smart resources:
http://www.vote-smart.org/voter_registration_resources.php
For overseas voters and those in the armed forces:
https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/home.htm
If you're a student, and are not sure about where to vote:
http://www.brennancenter.org/studentvoting
If you've committed a felony find out if you can vote:
http://www.sentencingproject.org/doc/publications/fd_bs_fdlawsinus.pdf
If you run into problems on or before Election Day
Election Protection http://www.866ourvote.org/about
5. Issues and Facts
FedStats
Statistics on a variety of government functions and programs. With
search engine.
Citizen Joe background papers and primers.
Government and Politics go here
Health
Health Care http://citizenjoe.org/node/77
Abortion and Family
Planning http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/95
Small Business Health
Plans http://citizenjoe.org/node/183
Medicare Prescriptions Drug
Act http://citizenjoe.org/node/83
Avian Flu http://citizenjoe.org/node/90
Mad Cow
Disease http://citizenjoe.org/node/91
Mental Health http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/87
Obesity
http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/94
Jobs and Welfare
Jobs http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/98
Welfare
http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/108
Poverty http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/107
Social
Security http://citizenjoe.org/node/121
Minimum
Wage http://citizenjoe.org/node/176
Unemployment http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/106
Retirement http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/113
Business and the Economy
The current economic
situation http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/436
Food http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/78
Housing
Crisis http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/254
Economic Stimulus
Plan http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/364
Doha and the World Trade
Organization http://citizenjoe.org/node/93
Trade
(facts) http://citizenjoe.org/node/89
Farm
Subsidies http://citizenjoe.org/node/99
Crime and Justice
Crime and Justice
Overview http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/101
Medical
Malpractice http://citizenjoe.org/node/110
http://citizenjoe.org/node/112
Illegal Drugs http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/53
Prisons http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/115
Identity
Theft http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/142
Guns http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/140
Death
Penalty http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/50
Civil
Litigation http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/109
National Security
Armed Forces
Overview http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/126
Homeland
Security http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/137
Iraq http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/215
Intelligence http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/201
National Missile
Defense http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/244
Nuclear Plant
Security http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/141
Enemy Combatants and
Terrorist Trials http://citizenjoe.org/node/235
State Grants and First
Responders http://citizenjoe.org/node/145
Terrorism http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/229
Dubai Ports Deal and Port
Security http://citizenjoe.org/node/143
Energy and the Environment
Global
Warming http://citizenjoe.org/node/236
Gas prices http://citizenjoe.org/node/233
Fossil Fuels http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/207
Price Gouging at the Gas
Pump http://citizenjoe.org/node/252
Clear Skies
Act http://citizenjoe.org/node/225
Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge http://citizenjoe.org/node/230
Education
Education
Overview http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/127
English Language
Learners http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/144
No Child Left
Behind http://citizenjoe.org/node/65
http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/63
Head Start http://citizenjoe.org/node/116
Higher Education
Overview http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/146
Literacy http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/151
Social Issues
The
Disabled http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/246
Faith and
Religion http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/248
The
Homeless http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/250
Immigration http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/175
The
Media http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/197
Race and
Ethnicity http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/196
Stem Cell
Research http://citizenjoe.org/node/102
Same Sex Marriage
http://citizenjoe.org/node/194
Internet
Neutrality http://citizenjoe.org/node/100
6. You need to also know how to get news in time.
Often newspapers report that a certain bill became a law, or failed to
become a law. At that point, it is usually too late to have an influence.
Your chance has passed. Other sources of
information can alert you earlier in the process. To find about
some current bills pending before Congress, you can go to Congress.Org's bill
section. They also have a section on action
alerts by issue. But you can find action alerts more directly through a
web search mentioning the issue (e.g. "gun control",
"water pollution", "military spending" along with
the words "action alerts"
or "action updates."
All Active House and Senate Legislation: http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/111search.html
Active Senate legislation only: http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/b_three_sections_with_teasers/active_leg_page.htm#agency
The Library of Congress also has an up-to-date free service
on Congress and other government activities. http://thomas.loc.gov/
For recent votes in Congress, go here to do a search: https://ssl.capwiz.com/congressorg/dbq/issuesdbq/votesearch.dbq
For bills that have become law: http://thomas.loc.gov/bss/d111/d111laws.html
State web sites:
For your state web site: http://www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories.shtml
Local
government web
sites:
You can find local legislation through this page:
http://www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/Local_Government/Cities.shtml
The following news sources often deliver news after it's too late
to act. But the news analysis and general background
information is still valuable:
-
Major US Newspapers and news services:
Go a third of the way down this page:
http://www.vote-smart.org/news_media_resources.php
for major papers.
-
BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/default.stm
(News from England)
- Google News
http://news.google.com/
-
Yahoo News http://news.yahoo.com/
Here are two long lists of other news sources:
http://www.vote-smart.org/news_media_resources.php
(Has five radio links near the end.)
http://www.projectcensored.org/censorship/news-sources/
(These are mostly alternative news sources and have about 35
alternative online radio
sources)
And here are two sources that rate news:
Newstrust.net news stories are rated
www.memeorandum.com
blog stories are rated.
7. How to do advocacy.
Voting is just a small part of political empowerment,
knowledge of all of the common forms of political action besides voting.
This is usually called "advocacy" and here are
links and tips about each form of advocacy. [Note that citing a
certain organization's advocacy information does not imply that we
endorse their issues or viewpoints. Cited materials are almost
completely generic.]
Content from our website:
Easy advocacy, including how to write a letter to Congress http://www.pttn.org/P6.htm
Doing in-depth advoacy http://www.pttn.org/P12.htm
Some Advanced
Knowledge Resources (for highly motivated people and
organizations):
StudentPIRGs has a good all-around
resource. ("PIRG" means "public interest research
group") http://www.studentpirgs.org/toolkit.pdf.
This includes recruitment, leadership development, working the media, and
grassroots organizing--everything from running meetings to creating
petitions, and more.
From epolitics.com you can download a 44-page guide to doing online
advocacy http://www.epolitics.com/2006/09/26/download-online-politics-101/
Whistleblowing on unfair, unethical or unsafe
practices www.whistleblowers.org
Building coalitions. A 16-part series from the University of
Florida:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/FY508
NetAction has an excellent 26-page document on using the Internet
for outreach and organizing. http://www.netaction.org/training/versions.html
Managing the Media, A Guide for
Activists http://tenant.net/Organize/media.html
NetAction Notes 20 on
Media Activists http://www.netaction.org/notes/notes20.html
NetAction Notes 47 on
Media Activism http://www.netaction.org/notes/notes47.html
The Center for Lobbying in the
Public Interest has many resources:
Lobbying tactics http://www.clpi.org/nuts-a-bolts/lobbying-tactics
Advocacy tactics http://www.clpi.org/nuts-a-bolts/advocacy-tactics
More info, especially
for nonprofits http://www.clpi.org/
8. Besides influencing government and making your voice be heard,
you need to know how other groups are trying to influence YOU.
So
you need knowledge about all of the "players" around an issue,
and you need to become aware of the many sophisticated techniques being
used to influence you—fairly or manipulatively. Knowledge of
techniques is sometimes called "media literacy."
Part 9
of our online course (called "Don't Be Fooled!")
"Scrutinizing
Propaganda"
Propaganda
techniques (PDF format) This is similar to the
above article
SourceWatch.Org
SourceWatch is a collaborative project of the Center
for Media and Democracy to produce a directory of the people,
organizations and issues shaping the public agenda. A primary purpose of
SourceWatch is documenting the PR and propaganda activities of public
relations firms and public relations professionals engaged in managing
and manipulating public perception, opinion and policy. SourceWatch also
includes profiles on think tanks, industry-funded originations and
industry-friendly experts that work to influence public opinion and
public policy on behalf of corporations, governments and special
interests. Over time, SourceWatch has broadened to include others
involved in public debates including media outlets, journalists,
government agencies, activists and nongovernmental organizations.
PR Watch
A quarterly publication of the Center for Media & Democracy, is
dedicated to investigative reporting on the public relations industry
Media
Literacy: Five Core Concepts and Five Key Questions
9. It also helps to know how special interest groups are
influencing candidates and elected officials.
Money plays a huge role in American politics. That's the current
reality. Large contributions must be reported to the Federal
Election Commission. By making donations these PACs (political
action committees) gain access to politicians—they are able to make
their case for the legislation they want—but they legally cannot buy
the politician's stand. Nevertheless, because of the high costs of
running campaigns it is essential for the politician's long term
"survival" to accept these large contributions. But
knowing who made contributions to whom can help you These reports can be
accessed at:
http://www.opensecrets.org Lots of information, well
organized, on contributions made at the national level. (Center
for Responsive Politics)
http://www.fec.gov (Federal election commission
information)
Institute on Money in State
Politics (A state-level searchable data base)
Legistorm information
on Congress such as database of Congressional Staff salaries, and
database of privately financed trips taken by members of Congress and
their staffers.
Project
Vote Smart Campaign Finance info
10. Political effectiveness
requires some understanding of economics (as much as many
people might hate to hear this!)
On our site, we plan to
present some simple yet essential principles about money and politics.
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg
A seven-page primer on economics (plus a whole list of issues
below.)
http://www.investopedia.com/university/economics/default.asp
An eight-lesson free course.
http://www.americas.org/item_71
Lists terms relating to international economics.
The following are excellent background articles, usually about two pages
long, about various economic topics. These are from AMOSweb whose
principle author is Orley M. Amos, an economics professor from the
University of Oklahoma. You can probably ignore the leading paragraphs in blue, since
they are his lighthearted fictional introductions .
About economic growth
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=16
"The Economics of Dueling Political Views"
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=36
About the Federal Deficit
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=21
About economic forecasting
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=15
About ten commonly-used economic indicators
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=17
About Social Security
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=43
About inflation
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=28
About foreign investment
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=pdg&c=dsp&k=23
For some current US economic statistics:
http://www.amosweb.com/cgi-bin/awb_nav.pl?s=awb&c=stp
11. Understanding of parties, platforms and party
politics is important.
Do you really know the planks of the Republican and Democratic
parties? Do you know anything about any of the other
parties? Even if the other parties can't have a controlling
impact, understanding their views can enrich your understanding of
useful political ideas. You can learn about these parties at:
Project
Vote Smart Political parties
12. Finally, an understanding of structural changes in politics will complete your knowledge.
Structural issues in politics affect the political process
itself. Structural changes are very important because they affect
the efficiency and purity of the political process. If the process
becomes inefficient or corrupt, it will cause a lot of waste and a lot
of harm to America. It will affect almost every other issue as
well. That's why we are highlighting these structural issues.
Voting process integrity
www.electionline.org
527 and Campaign Finance
Reform http://citizenjoe.org/node/181
National
Debt http://citizenjoe.org/node/206
Deficits and
Debts http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/216
Budget
Reform http://citizenjoe.org/node/170
Estate Tax (the Death
Tax) http://citizenjoe.org/node/186
Line Item
Veto http://citizenjoe.org/node/208
Lobby and Earmark
reform http://citizenjoe.org/node/174
Redistricting http://citizenjoe.org/node/198
Filibusters http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/209
Voting and Ballot
Initiatives http://www.citizenjoe.org/node/134
Note: Besides knowledge, you also need critical thinking skills to be
effective politically. These skills help you analyze information
and weigh your choices. These skills are introduced in our online course
in Part 10, Analyzing Issues.
|
