I would like to dedicate a blog post to my thoughts on voting for impact. I rarely post about specific political issues but I really feel that this issue is worth a post.
First, I think it is important for each individual to decide what his/her motivation is in voting. Individuals can have a plethora of reasons for voting. Those reasons will affect how we vote. One may vote out of obligation/duty to the country or those who have sacrificed for the freedom to vote. This is honorable and is one of my reasons for voting but there is more. One may vote to gain bragging or complaining "rights" or to make a statement. One may vote according to a pet issue. Eighteen year old citizens may vote solely on the idea that they have finally grown into the right to do so. But, there is more. While some of these are strong reasons to vote, most can lead to legalism. And, I have to ask, can any of these reasons be the entirety of the motivation to vote?
I believe that there is so much more. Because I cannot sever the real world impact of my vote and it's consequences from who my conscience says is the best person to receive my vote, I will vote to have the most impact for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (not a guarantee of happiness...but that is another post all together...*smile*). It is easy to get hung up on the "statement" of the vote, but in doing so, we can miss out on the blessing of what it truly means to live in a democracy...having an impact on the world around us. So, if you agree that a vote should be cast to have the most impact, then the question that follows is how does a vote have the most impact?
In a general election when the election is coming down to two parties, a conservative vote for a third party candidate will have no positive impact on the election. I am not opposed in general to third party candidates. But, in an election where there is no conceivable way that the third party candidate can win, a vote for that candidate is a statement vote. It will not have an affect on preserving life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I have had conversations with those who willingly admit that their third party candidate would not win. Yet, they would vote for conscience and make a statement. Meanwhile, real life issues (and life itself) are on the line. While the election four years ago was not close and the third party votes probably did not put our current president into office, this year the election is much tighter and a third party vote could very well be a vote against life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
So, as you study the candidates, judges, and propositions that are on your ballot this election, let me encourage you to consider the impact that your vote will have for protecting the most life, preserving the most liberty, and supporting the pursuit of happiness. Let's not make statements this year. Let's vote to have an impact.
Showing posts with label campaign. Show all posts
Showing posts with label campaign. Show all posts
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
At the polls...again
Well, after collecting signatures for our congressional candidate at the polls last winter, hosting a meet and greet, and walking the neighborhood, we went back to the polls the night of our local primaries and encouraged voters to vote for our candidate.
Here is a picture of the kids holding signs as I passed out literature. It was hot! On the way there the temperature in our van went from 109 to 111. Shouldn't it be going down at the end of the day? Yes, this was in the evening even though the sun was bright and it was well over 100 degrees.
This picture just looks like summer in Arizona, doesn't it?
Now that it is all over and our candidate didn't win in the primaries, I look back and am so glad that we took the kids out and educated them on the process. They know that it is no easy thing to run for office. It takes tons of work and sacrifice for you and all those who support you...and there is no guarantee that you will win on election night.
My older boys went out and put up signs for another friend's campaign for a local office. That friend won his seat which made the boys day.
We will be looking for more opportunities for the kids to learn from experience about how our government works and we should have plenty of opportunities this election season.
How do you teach your kids about the election process?
To get more ideas on how to "learn through the elections", click on the label "learning through the elections" at the bottom of the screen.
Here is a picture of the kids holding signs as I passed out literature. It was hot! On the way there the temperature in our van went from 109 to 111. Shouldn't it be going down at the end of the day? Yes, this was in the evening even though the sun was bright and it was well over 100 degrees.
This picture just looks like summer in Arizona, doesn't it?
Now that it is all over and our candidate didn't win in the primaries, I look back and am so glad that we took the kids out and educated them on the process. They know that it is no easy thing to run for office. It takes tons of work and sacrifice for you and all those who support you...and there is no guarantee that you will win on election night.
My older boys went out and put up signs for another friend's campaign for a local office. That friend won his seat which made the boys day.
We will be looking for more opportunities for the kids to learn from experience about how our government works and we should have plenty of opportunities this election season.
How do you teach your kids about the election process?
To get more ideas on how to "learn through the elections", click on the label "learning through the elections" at the bottom of the screen.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
How We Roll
In honor of all the republican presidential hopefuls, and inspired by a NY Times article that I saw a while back on how the different candidates travel, I thought I would share how we travel.
This article is somewhat outdated now, but still good for a laugh...haha.
So, here is a link to the article which I have tried to post below...but is really too wide to work well here on the blog.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/30/us/politics/how-the-candidates-roll.html
...and, here is how we roll.
This article is somewhat outdated now, but still good for a laugh...haha.
So, here is a link to the article which I have tried to post below...but is really too wide to work well here on the blog.
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/12/30/us/politics/how-the-candidates-roll.html
How the Candidates Roll
While the G.O.P. hopefuls are all making their
final tours around early voting states, their modes of travel — and
their entourages — vary widely.
Newt Gingrich, who had done little
on-the-ground campaigning until
recently, kicked off an Iowa bus tour
on Tuesday.
Advance personnel (usually two of a six man team attend events).
Personal aides, press spokesman, senior Iowa adviser
Wife, Callista
Security
team
Voter ID team
Press bus
Campaign bus
Rick Santorum has made hundreds of
stops in Iowa and was the first candidate
to visit all 99 counties in the state. He
sometimes travels alone, but often with
just one press aide.
Press aide
Dodge Ram pickup
Rick Perry is also on a bus tour
through Iowa. The slogan on his bus,
which four months ago read “Get
America Working Again,” now reads
“Faith, Jobs and Freedom.”
Press aides and other staff
Personal aide, security, advance staff
Wife, Anita
Press bus
Campaign bus
Mitt Romney spent most of the
week before Christmas touring New
Hampshire and arrived Tuesday in
Iowa, where he is making an
aggressive push.
Average of four aides, including a strategist and press staff
One to three advance staffers
Some of his five sons
Wife, Ann
Personal aide, security guard
Has used a 30-seat charter plane for staff and press
Campaign bus
Ron Paul has been splitting his time
between New Hampshire and Iowa,
where recent polls suggest he is a
front-runner. He arrived in the state
on Wednesday and is focusing his
efforts in more highly populated areas.
Grandchildren
Three Iowa chairmen
Personal aide, bodyguard, press secretary
Caravan or SUV
Jon M. Huntsman Jr., the only
candidate not campaigning in Iowa,
kicked off a tour Wednesday of all
10 of New Hampshire’s counties.
He plans to stay in the state until its
Jan. 10 primary.
Press secretary and other aides
Some of his five daughters and a son-in-law
Wife,
Mary Kaye
Rented SUV
Michele Bachmann has spent more
time in Iowa than most of the other
candidates, and in a final push ahead
of the caucuses, she is wrapping up a
“99-county” tour of the state, making
as many as 10 stops each day.
USUAL ENTOURAGE:
Videographers, social media team, advance personnel
Iowa chairmen
Assistant, campaign manager, strategist, spokeswoman and dog
Husband, Marcus, or children
Campaign bus
...and, here is how we roll.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Volunteering
One way that I have chosen to help my kids learn through the elections this year is to volunteer. Now, with six kids, this is NOT easy...but I feel that it is important for my kids to experience volunteering from their earliest years. I would like volunteering to be a part of who they are no matter where they choose to volunteer...that they would give of themselves for the good of another.
So, on Tuesday, we went to the polls to collect signatures for a candidate that we support. You know...the people with clipboards that you run from at the library? That was us! Most elected positions require a particular number of signatures to get a candidate's name on the ballot. Usually...this is all that they are asking you to sign...nominating petition to get a candidate's name or a proposition on the ballot. But, you would have thought that we were asking them to handle a snake...haha.
For better or worse, here are a few pictures of us collecting signatures for Kirk Adams, who is running for US Congress.
For all of those political junkies out there...I did the signature collecting, Brennan just enjoyed holding the clipboard and interacting with people:)
After a while, the kids lost interest and turned to reading or playing games, but they will remember this for years to come. They now know that running a campaign takes lots of volunteers. In the two hours, we managed to get less than 15 signatures. Getting your name on the ballot takes more work than one person can do. It takes volunteers.
So, as you learn through the elections, get out there and volunteer on the campaign of a candidate that you support and take the kids along. It will change who they become. Because, like I said in a previous post, you may have the next governor or even president living right in your home. Train them well...while you can...haha!
So, on Tuesday, we went to the polls to collect signatures for a candidate that we support. You know...the people with clipboards that you run from at the library? That was us! Most elected positions require a particular number of signatures to get a candidate's name on the ballot. Usually...this is all that they are asking you to sign...nominating petition to get a candidate's name or a proposition on the ballot. But, you would have thought that we were asking them to handle a snake...haha.
For better or worse, here are a few pictures of us collecting signatures for Kirk Adams, who is running for US Congress.
The sun was really bright when it chose to peek out from behind the clouds.
For all of those political junkies out there...I did the signature collecting, Brennan just enjoyed holding the clipboard and interacting with people:)
After a while, the kids lost interest and turned to reading or playing games, but they will remember this for years to come. They now know that running a campaign takes lots of volunteers. In the two hours, we managed to get less than 15 signatures. Getting your name on the ballot takes more work than one person can do. It takes volunteers.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Power Writing
This year, we added a writing curriculum into our schooling mix (apart from what is taught in our Language curriculum). I waited on this so that I could take my three older kids through it together. It seems to be working well, and cuts down on the number of times that I will be teaching the same thing over again. Right now it is focusing more on creative writing rather than structured writing.
But, I was really wanting to add in a few lessons on structured writing. As I was going through a tub of my old classroom supplies, I came across these posters that I used to have hanging in my classroom to help the kids with structured writing. We called it Power Writing and I think I will hang them in my home for a while as we are learning about writing.
Power 1 - Main Idea
Power 2 - Major Detail
Power 3 - Minor Detail
This is not something that I created myself and don't know whose original work this is but I did copy it onto posters...haha.
After teaching my older three kids about structured writing I had them write a report on the political rally that we went to a few weeks ago. They were to choose three things about the rally to write about. They started with an intro sentence telling what they were going to say, list each of the three things and give a description of each, and then end with a conclusion sentence telling what they had just said.
Here is part of the report that Abby (6 years old and the one who would give permission to have her report posted) wrote about the Kirk Adams' congressional rally.
A few weeks later we were able to go to a presidential primary rally. So, I had the kids write reports again. This time I had them write a compare/contrast report on the similarities or differences between the two rallies. We still used structure but just changed the tone a bit. Here is Abby's report.
But, I was really wanting to add in a few lessons on structured writing. As I was going through a tub of my old classroom supplies, I came across these posters that I used to have hanging in my classroom to help the kids with structured writing. We called it Power Writing and I think I will hang them in my home for a while as we are learning about writing.
Power 1 - Main Idea
Power 2 - Major Detail
Power 3 - Minor Detail
This is not something that I created myself and don't know whose original work this is but I did copy it onto posters...haha.
After teaching my older three kids about structured writing I had them write a report on the political rally that we went to a few weeks ago. They were to choose three things about the rally to write about. They started with an intro sentence telling what they were going to say, list each of the three things and give a description of each, and then end with a conclusion sentence telling what they had just said.
Here is part of the report that Abby (6 years old and the one who would give permission to have her report posted) wrote about the Kirk Adams' congressional rally.
A few weeks later we were able to go to a presidential primary rally. So, I had the kids write reports again. This time I had them write a compare/contrast report on the similarities or differences between the two rallies. We still used structure but just changed the tone a bit. Here is Abby's report.
Monday, February 27, 2012
A household election
As we are learning through the elections this year, I thought it would be fun to hold a "mock election". What better way to learn about elections than to have one right in our own home! But, what to have them run for...as we have no president...haha. It had to be intriguing and fun...something that they would all want to "win". I also wanted it to be something that they would do for the family. That way they could have campaign promises and work to win votes. So, I decided to give the kids an opportunity to run for Fantastic Friday Field-trip Chooser. Try fitting that on a political sign...haha.
I told the kids and they were all on board. First, I explained the rules of the game. The three older kids would run for office. Every family member would get two votes...down to Sethy. They would be allowed to create and put up signs and run their campaign how they felt was right. Voters needed to keep in mind the promises that would be made and if they believe the candidate could actually deliver on the promises. Obviously, if the promise of Disneyland was made, that candidate isn't to be trusted. I also set a budget of $20 (ish...isn't that how Washington sets our federal budget??) for the field trip. This would include the six kids and mom. The things that wouldn't have to come from the budget would be gas money and a homemade picnic lunch.
I provided the kids with art supplies that I bought in red. white, and blue to create signs, etc. Here are a few pictures of them creating signs and decorations for their campaigns.
As time progressed, the kids realized just how fickle the voters could be. I guess we have several "swing voters" in our house...haha!
At first, the kids were trying to plan trips to the Lego Store or to Mc Donalds (a place they don't get to go often). But, $20 is a tight budget for those things and none of the candidates could seem to pull ahead in the daily polls.
Finally, in a desperate attempt to gain votes, Nathan pledged to take a "free" field trip and give a tax refund...meaning that he would split the $20 budget money between the older four kids...each would get $5. WOW. I didn't even give him any hints. He may be a born politician...haha! Now everyone wanted to vote for him. Brennan saw that the polls showed that he was behind and desperately tried to gain back votes by promising a $4 per kid tax refund and an ice cream. Isn't that how it goes in real life? Oh, this was SO much fun to watch!
I let the kids run their campaigns for most of the month of February so that they would get a good taste of winning and keeping votes. When it came time to vote, I placed each of the older three kids' color coded drinking cups on the floor in the piano room. Then we had the family wait in the other room as each person cast their two votes in the cup(s) of the candidate(s) they supported.
To keep it "secret ballets", I had Wesley vote first, then Seth (who couldn't give anything away), then Peter and I, and then the older kids one at a time.
In the end, it was the tax cut that won the votes. Guess we have a house full of Republicans...haha.
Although the kids just thought this was another fun game that mom came up with, they really learned a great deal about winning and keeping votes and how the polls can change...in an instant.
I told the kids and they were all on board. First, I explained the rules of the game. The three older kids would run for office. Every family member would get two votes...down to Sethy. They would be allowed to create and put up signs and run their campaign how they felt was right. Voters needed to keep in mind the promises that would be made and if they believe the candidate could actually deliver on the promises. Obviously, if the promise of Disneyland was made, that candidate isn't to be trusted. I also set a budget of $20 (ish...isn't that how Washington sets our federal budget??) for the field trip. This would include the six kids and mom. The things that wouldn't have to come from the budget would be gas money and a homemade picnic lunch.
I provided the kids with art supplies that I bought in red. white, and blue to create signs, etc. Here are a few pictures of them creating signs and decorations for their campaigns.
As time progressed, the kids realized just how fickle the voters could be. I guess we have several "swing voters" in our house...haha!
At first, the kids were trying to plan trips to the Lego Store or to Mc Donalds (a place they don't get to go often). But, $20 is a tight budget for those things and none of the candidates could seem to pull ahead in the daily polls.
Finally, in a desperate attempt to gain votes, Nathan pledged to take a "free" field trip and give a tax refund...meaning that he would split the $20 budget money between the older four kids...each would get $5. WOW. I didn't even give him any hints. He may be a born politician...haha! Now everyone wanted to vote for him. Brennan saw that the polls showed that he was behind and desperately tried to gain back votes by promising a $4 per kid tax refund and an ice cream. Isn't that how it goes in real life? Oh, this was SO much fun to watch!
I let the kids run their campaigns for most of the month of February so that they would get a good taste of winning and keeping votes. When it came time to vote, I placed each of the older three kids' color coded drinking cups on the floor in the piano room. Then we had the family wait in the other room as each person cast their two votes in the cup(s) of the candidate(s) they supported.
To keep it "secret ballets", I had Wesley vote first, then Seth (who couldn't give anything away), then Peter and I, and then the older kids one at a time.
In the end, it was the tax cut that won the votes. Guess we have a house full of Republicans...haha.
Although the kids just thought this was another fun game that mom came up with, they really learned a great deal about winning and keeping votes and how the polls can change...in an instant.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Presidential Rally
Today we decided to take the kids to another rally...this time for one of the republican presidential candidates. We heard that Rick Santorum would be in town and thought it would be a great learning experience after going, a few weeks ago, to a rally for Kirk Adams, who is running for Congress.
So, to prepare, the kids and I went to The Dollar Store and bought some poster boards, markers, and flags. Then we went home and talked about what people write on rally posters. One of my kids suggested that we write "Ricky is the Man". Haha. Well, we didn't put that on a sign but I was impressed with the signs that the kids did create. Here are a few pictures.
I honestly had no idea that Wesley could write as we haven't started schooling him yet. Amazing what they just pick up!
I love this picture that Abby drew of The Capitol building.
After loading everyone into the van and driving downtown, we arrived at the rally with time to spare...no small feat with six kids...haha!
Here are a few pictures of the kids waiting for the rally to begin.
Our funny little Sethy is always ready to clown around and have fun...laughter is one of his gifts:)
Ransom, on the other hand was not so happy...actually only at this
moment because I handed him away to get a picture. He really is a
Santorum supporter...honest.
That's my patriotic little boy!
After prayer and introductions from several fantastic speakers, Rick Santorum, his wife, and three of their children came on stage.
The kids really enjoyed this rally as two of the speakers before Rick Santorum were people that my kids had met before. I love for the kids to see that those people on stage are just regular people like you and I.
Here is a picture of Peter and Wesley enjoying the rally.
Looks like that flag waving is hard work...haha.
Well...at least you know she did it all on her own...haha!
Here are the older boys taking it all in. I love how you can see their personalities in their expressions and posture.
Here is Wesley as Santorum was speaking. I couldn't get him to stay still enough to get a clear shot.
After the rally, Santorum walked right out into the crowd and talked to the media and supporters, signed autographs, and shook hands. Fantastic. Here are a few pictures of this.
Here is Rick Santorum shaking hands with the boys. Those heads at the bottom of the picture are Nathan and Brennan.
We managed to get a campaign sign autographed. You can see Nathan, Brennan, and Wesley all watching.
We took home a few yard signs. Better put them up quick the Arizona primary is next week!
You can't start them too young...haha!
(Disclaimer: I did not go out and purchase a republican toy for my infant son...it was a gift. But, he has been carrying it around tons lately. Smart kid!)
Here is Nathan with his autographed campaign sign...which is now hanging above his bed...my little Alex Keaton...haha.
We also made it into a CNN report on the rally that I can't get to upload here but here is the link.
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2012/02/22/bts-santorum-satan-controversy.cnn#/video/politics/2012/02/22/bts-santorum-satan-controversy.cnn
This was a busy, exciting, and educational day for all of us. In the end, I am really happy with how the kids are learning through the elections.
I believe that as a parent, it is important to train our children in every area of life. How will they know, if we don't teach them?
So, to prepare, the kids and I went to The Dollar Store and bought some poster boards, markers, and flags. Then we went home and talked about what people write on rally posters. One of my kids suggested that we write "Ricky is the Man". Haha. Well, we didn't put that on a sign but I was impressed with the signs that the kids did create. Here are a few pictures.
Here are a few pictures of the kids waiting for the rally to begin.
Our funny little Sethy is always ready to clown around and have fun...laughter is one of his gifts:)
After prayer and introductions from several fantastic speakers, Rick Santorum, his wife, and three of their children came on stage.
Here is a picture of Peter and Wesley enjoying the rally.
After the rally, Santorum walked right out into the crowd and talked to the media and supporters, signed autographs, and shook hands. Fantastic. Here are a few pictures of this.
Here is Nathan with his autographed campaign sign...which is now hanging above his bed...my little Alex Keaton...haha.
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/politics/2012/02/22/bts-santorum-satan-controversy.cnn#/video/politics/2012/02/22/bts-santorum-satan-controversy.cnn
This was a busy, exciting, and educational day for all of us. In the end, I am really happy with how the kids are learning through the elections.
I believe that as a parent, it is important to train our children in every area of life. How will they know, if we don't teach them?
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Election folders
I was raised in a very patriotic family. It rubbed off on me and I not only love this country but I love everything government and politics!
Well, I guess it would be more accurate to say that I have a passion for government and politics but it isn't always lovable.
Because this is one of my passions, I thought I would take advantage of the current elections and all of the events and information to get my children involved and educated about American politics and government.
So, we put together election folders for each child (even Sethy who is 2 as he LOVES to do what the older kids are doing). And, you know that if I am making folders for all of my kids, they will be color coded...haha! Here is a picture of the color coded folders that we put together.
We created a page for each candidate in the primary. On each page is a picture of the candidate, room to take notes, and a list of the issues that are important to our family. Here are the pages that I made.
*These are in alphabetical order...no preference was given to listing order (my attorney husband made me put that in...haha.)
As the primaries and debates take place, we will watch clips of debates or town halls (entire debates are too long for my kids). The kids mark the issues each time a candidate says something that they agree with (check) or disagree with (X). They can also take any other notes they want about the candidate.
Next, we printed off several blank USA maps and placed them in the folder. Here is a link to a USA map.
We labeled them "primary" and "general election". I gave each candidate a different color..I even color coded the candidates...haha! After each primary, we fill in the state with the winning candidate's color. For the "general election" map, we will color states blue and red for the two parties.
Until the general election, we will continue to add to these folders with information or pictures that pertain to the elections.
Here are a few pictures of the kids working with their election folders.
Coloring in states by candidate...
Learning about the different candidates...
Yes, we have our laptop on a cooling rack as it has been overheating...haha. It's time for a new computer!
And, here is Wesley proudly showing off his election folder.
((If you missed my previous posts on ways to get your kids involved in government/politics, you can see them by clicking on the "learning through the elections" link at the right of this post.))
Well, I guess it would be more accurate to say that I have a passion for government and politics but it isn't always lovable.
Because this is one of my passions, I thought I would take advantage of the current elections and all of the events and information to get my children involved and educated about American politics and government.
So, we put together election folders for each child (even Sethy who is 2 as he LOVES to do what the older kids are doing). And, you know that if I am making folders for all of my kids, they will be color coded...haha! Here is a picture of the color coded folders that we put together.
*These are in alphabetical order...no preference was given to listing order (my attorney husband made me put that in...haha.)
As the primaries and debates take place, we will watch clips of debates or town halls (entire debates are too long for my kids). The kids mark the issues each time a candidate says something that they agree with (check) or disagree with (X). They can also take any other notes they want about the candidate.
Next, we printed off several blank USA maps and placed them in the folder. Here is a link to a USA map.
We labeled them "primary" and "general election". I gave each candidate a different color..I even color coded the candidates...haha! After each primary, we fill in the state with the winning candidate's color. For the "general election" map, we will color states blue and red for the two parties.
Until the general election, we will continue to add to these folders with information or pictures that pertain to the elections.
Here are a few pictures of the kids working with their election folders.
Coloring in states by candidate...
Watching a few debate clips...
And, here is Wesley proudly showing off his election folder.
((If you missed my previous posts on ways to get your kids involved in government/politics, you can see them by clicking on the "learning through the elections" link at the right of this post.))
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