Why is it so hard engaging local people in Government?
These are thoughts I’ve had over the years in no particular order of precedence concerning engaging local people in our government. It’s almost like these categories are an organism that has separate component parts so that it overcomes its opponents like the blob, people just get absorbed before they realize what’s going on.
What’s in it for me?
Time is the number one limiting factor for most people. Once people become AWARE of an organization, they ask themselves, “What can this group do for me or for those I love and care about to make life better?”
If the efforts are not productive in enhancing life, the organization quickly gets relegated to the back burner or off the stove entirely. The vast majority of folks here in America are not long term thinkers, they don’t have time to be. They are struggling to make it to payday, to get help with their children, to have a safe neighborhood, to help save for retirement, to get help cutting through government red tape… you name it. Their available mental energy is soaked up getting to these goals or getting these situations resolved.
Most people are so busy dealing with the urgent matters before them that they fail to recognize how government policy affects their daily lives until it smacks them in the pocket book.
Crappy Circumstances
It is unfortunate but the number one recruiter to a cause or government engagement is adversity of some kind.
If life has rapidly deteriorated for a person, they may begin to feel, “I’m tired of this BS and I ain’t taking it anymore!” Who can help fix this? Everyone has their own pain threshold or triggers to reach that point. Usually the more affluent one is, the longer it takes to reach that point. Stupid government policy usually affects the less affluent first.
Proof of Life
The second most effective recruiter to a community or political organization is evidence that the group is actively producing results. “Oh wow….those folks have made life NOTICABLY BETTER for their group and I want to be on their team” It’s why PONZI schemes work ….for a while
In times of community crisis ( hurricanes , fires, floods etc) locals SEE certain groups and organizations helping people. People want to be part of that type of effort. Any organization that is thought to be IMPEDING assistance or recovery incurs the resentment of local voters – often for GENERATIONS. But once a group gets a reputation as an effective helper, that can last for generations as well.
The Democrats learned this back in the Great Depression. Never let a tragedy or crisis go to waste. Get your narrative now matter how untruthful out there first. Facts be damned.
Tolerated Corruption
When voters see government ( people, officials, law enforcement) gaming the system, engaging in selective enforcement, or “protecting” lawbreakers, local government loses legitimacy in the minds of voters and they become disengaged. If it gets bad enough, they pack up and leave taking their wealth and human resources with them.
Complacency Encroaches
This is usually the number one weapon of The LEFT. Gradualism, change in policy so slowly that after a couple of generations the environment is totally changed. This is like the proverbial boiling of the frog. It usually comes disguised as a new program or legislation to “help” but most often is a rose – the thorns endure long after the enjoyment of the bloom itself.
Poor Messaging
Lack of information and distortion of facts produces misinformed opinions. I see this every where I go. Voters don’t have factual information; therefore, they are easily swayed by rumor or untruthful influencers, community leaders, and celebrities.
The Cure for this is a consistent and reliably accurate source of information. Especially information that impacts voters. Social media is a double edged sword. Unsubstantiated information gets passed as fact, opinions get formed and many voters cannot be swayed by facts after their biased opinions become orthodoxy. This can take generations to change – usually due to Crappy Circumstances.
One side of our political spectrum relies on propaganda. They believe you can continuously sell snake oil as long as you have well crafted speeches/ news releases / slick broadcasting/ paid influencers. To them it’s all about the package or messaging not the content. They have become steeped in this approach or symbiotic relationship with the US legacy media.
The 2024 election cycle, however, has indicated that this type of messaging may have lost its punch, for now. It’s cyclical. The Nazis were masters of this until they were violently swept from power by outside forces. The Communists in Russia had such a strangle hold on their people that only time coupled with Crappy Circumstances eventually led to the demise of the USSR. The CCP, on the other hand, is still in charge of mainland China.
The Takeaway
The GOP must become more media savvy, with the TRUTH. Get the real story out there first and consistently. The message must be, “The GOP is on YOUR SIDE!”
Policy must be determined by what is best for the taxpaying voters. Not what is best for campaign contributors. If we have policy that goes along this way long enough, there will be enough campaign contributors. Honest business people know how to make money in most any environment as long as there is equal opportunity for every person and the DEEP STATE GOVERNMENT is not trying to pick winners and losers.
