Are Petitions & Emails to Politicians a Waste of Time?

The Yankee Marshall

Hawaii Mileage May Very.....

On the political stuff I completely agree.

However here in Hawaii I suspect showing
up in person is a complete waste of time.
We are rather past the point of talking to Democrats.

1000 oppose, 30 support, still pass.

Not sure it gets any more clearer than that.

I want to jump on the pile and give a funny cynical answer, but the honest truth is that we have influenced local politics. A lot. Most of Hawaii is actually pretty conservative in some ways and our Uniparty knows this, and as things get worse they are running dangerously low on excuses.

I want to jump on the pile and give a funny cynical answer, but the honest truth is that we have influenced local politics. A lot. Most of Hawaii is actually pretty conservative in some ways and our Uniparty knows this, and as things get worse they are running dangerously low on excuses.

I'd like to test your hypothesis, as I don't see how "Most of Hawaii is actually pretty conservative (in some ways)" could possibly be true and elect the legislators and executives they do (Democrats and 3% RINOS) year after year after year.

Could you tell us exactly what to look for "as things get worse" that will trigger exactly what political response? Are the currently elected politicians going to change their positions and pass permitless open carry and eliminate the handgun mag limit (etc.), or are people going to change and elect new legislators and executives (governor, etc.) that will pass permitless open carry and eliminate the handgun mag limit (etc.)?

If there are no demarcations of events that would signify your hypothesis may be valid, then it sounds like pie in the sky "someday" wishing. Or "forever". I.e. doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

I submit testimony and emails that way I can complain later. I also don't vote for a 3rd party who has no chance of winning and waste my vote.

There's some truth to the video.  Written and oral testimonies only make up 25% of the effort, if you do it righ and with the right amount.  Testimonies are a last ditch effort and one part of the broader mission.

The testimonies cannot be templates or cookie cutter like the NRA ones and that's why HIFICO does not do those.  There is no effort put into the NRA ones and it shows.  Numbers count as they are like election votes   If you have information that is critical for them, you must discuss it with the committee members before the hearing or less effectively through oral testimony at the hearing.

The only reason testimonies are relied on so much is no one is doing the other 75% of the work needed

Right now I'd estimate we are 10% effective at passing bills.
Maybe 40% effective at opposing bills.  Testimoniess are improving, with the amount and quality.  We are sorely lacking zoom testimonies though.  Long term project.

There's some truth to the video.  Written and oral testimonies only make up 25% of the effort, if you do it righ and with the right amount.  Testimonies are a last ditch effort and one part of the broader mission.

The testimonies cannot be templates or cookie cutter like the NRA ones and that's why HIFICO does not do those.  There is no effort put into the NRA ones and it shows.  Numbers count as they are like election votes   If you have information that is critical for them, you must discuss it with the committee members before the hearing or less effectively through oral testimony at the hearing.

The only reason testimonies are relied on so much is no one is doing the other 75% of the work needed

Right now I'd estimate we are 10% effective at passing bills.
Maybe 40% effective at opposing bills.  Testimoniess are improving, with the amount and quality.  We are sorely lacking zoom testimonies though.  Long term project.

Hey, zippz, briefly, what is "the other 75% of the work needed"?

Hey, zippz, briefly, what is "the other 75% of the work needed"?

Most of it is talking to the legislators a few times off session/slow periods april to January and getting some facetime with them at stuff like volunteer community service events and neighborhood boards and stuff.  Take them to the range.  Ideally 10 to 20 constituents per rep doing this long term.  This won't work with all of them like rhoades and lee, but we can take a large group of moderates this way.

Working on the elections.

Also educating the general public and other organizations to get their support and in turn their votes.  Form a victims and women's and retired LE officers 2a groups which were working on now.  Especially when crime is high.

If we want to push pro2a stuff. We have to start early and do education campaigns on it.  Problem with hb534 is it needed a lot of education and outreach and we did everything last minute.

I submit testimony and emails that way I can complain later. I also don't vote for a 3rd party who has no chance of winning and waste my vote.

You honestly believe that your Trump vote in Hawaii would have changed anything?   Even if everyone in Hawaii voted for Trump and he won the state nothing would change.  We live in a state with 4 electoral votes.   Only local elections can be remotely influenced. 

Independent voters vote on the people not the party.   Both people running in the main parties were bad.  So I voted for the least bad person on the ballot.

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Most of it is talking to the legislators a few times off session/slow periods april to January and getting some facetime with them at stuff like volunteer community service events and neighborhood boards and stuff.  Take them to the range.  Ideally 10 to 20 constituents per rep doing this long term.  This won't work with all of them like rhoades and lee, but we can take a large group of moderates this way.

Working on the elections.

Also educating the general public and other organizations to get their support and in turn their votes.  Form a victims and women's and retired LE officers 2a groups which were working on now.  Especially when crime is high.

If we want to push pro2a stuff. We have to start early and do education campaigns on it.  Problem with hb534 is it needed a lot of education and outreach and we did everything last minute.

I won't argue against anything you said, but I think you're missing a big part of the problem/solution.

Politicians focus on the thing that can HELP.  They are bombarded with problems, complaints and issues all day / every day.  If the "gun community", or at least the majority of active members on the forum, formed a community assistance committee, I think the politicians would pay more attention.

Instead of, or in addition to, walking in front of a building waving signs, what about:

-  delivering meals to shut-ins or families in need (Meals on Wheels)
-  food drives for the Hawaii Food Bank
-  Habitat for Humanity
-  Blood Bank of Hawaii -- Drives, group donation days
-  Many others

"Giving back" would go a long way toward creating a positive image in the community and get the group recognized by the politicians. 

In fact, if a politician needs help from non-profits and volunteer groups for their project, they would appreciate being able to contact the group's leader and let that person handle the organizing and details.

If you want something, it's usually easier if you give something in return.  Politicians are wired to respond to things that are beneficial to their getting and keeping office.  Even if it's just sign waving for them during campaign season, it's a good way to get positive face time.

JMHO.

Also educating the general public and other organizations to get their support and in turn their votes.  Form a victims and women's and retired LE officers 2a groups which were working on now.  Especially when crime is high.

I know you mentioned victims, women, and retired law enforcement, but what other segments of the population did you have in mind?

I know you mentioned victims, women, and retired law enforcement, but what other segments of the population did you have in mind?

make a suggestion...

make a suggestion...

That's the problem.

I ask because if I were to go up and down my street knocking on doors and preaching gun rights, many might already jade me, as one of those domestic insurgents the US empire has been propagandizing about to the masses and have me arrested.  Hence, what part or segment of the population should be looked upon to share the message?

I'd suggest unions. I understand they have other focuses but since they carry so much political clout, I'm betting that a lot of union members are firearms owners.

I'd suggest unions. I understand they have other focuses but since they carry so much political clout, I'm betting that a lot of union members are firearms owners.

Good suggestion.   

I'd suggest unions. I understand they have other focuses but since they carry so much political clout, I'm betting that a lot of union members are firearms owners.

I dont think they will spend time, unless it serves their interest. See below real example.

Last session, they wanted to ban ammo being sold unless u own the gun. The film industry guy showed up and the bill died. Idk if he was the main cause, but im sure he knows people. He only showed up for that 1 bill.

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