How involved were you involved in politics prior to 2000?

[prolesunited]

I had always paid attention and voted, but I was far from being active. However, watching the horror unfold in 2000, from the blatant smears of Gore and the spin on the debates to the court roller coaster ride and the inaugural parade, has energized me to say the least.

I have become obsessive about the issues, protested, campaigned and donated.

So, where were you prior to 2000 and where do you stand now?
When Kerry gets in, will your level of activism decrease?

[mourningdove92]

1. Same here.

I have always voted, but never became involved. The horror of the last 4 years have me obsessed as well. I have never donated before, but have now. I have never protested before, but have now. I have never been active in the process, but am now. Most of all, I have never been any where near as informed as I am now.

Bush is my worst nightmare.

[IconoclastIlene]

2. I was 18 in 1972

Moratorium
Peace Posters
Singer vs. Board of Education, 1971, witness.
Stuff like that!!!

No war toys poster!!

[prolesunited]

7. Thank you for being there then

and being here now. You're definitely one of the veterans.

Did you sustain that energy all this time? There have always been things to protest. Did you take a break in between?

[IconoclastIlene]

11. the last "election" lit my fire...

oh yeah!!! and it's Selma, Alabama, all over again, methinks.

[IconoclastIlene]

51. I have hope and I can try my best

to get this beast out of office he; and his fellow low life's, all of them; smear, smear, smear,

and smear some more........bring it on George, let's see what you are really made of, baby!!!

[Cha]

3. ZERO!

My whole life turned around. I started paying attention because I wanted Gore to win and now I look at almost everything as political.

[Bluzmann57]

4. Parents worked fervently for McGovern in '72

at which time I was 14 years old. I helped them out because it seemed like fun. Have been involved since then, although I have no intention of ever seeking office, as I have a fear of public speaking and all types of past sins. But have at least been involved in various election campaigns and am going to drive people to the polls this year. Also have been active through my Union affiliations.

[FightingIrish]

5. Like millions of Americans

I have been changed by the events of the last four years. When the Supreme Court gave away the White House I made a promise to myself and to my family that I would make a difference in the next election. This past year and a half has been a year of firsts for me. First peace rally, first peace march, first bumper sticker, first campaign pin and first time joining active political organizations. I have been regularly writing LTTE's and Op-ed pieces including several DU articles. I hear this same story from so many people who know how democracy is supposed to work and are desperate to see it work again. I hope that after our victory in November I can be a little less active, but I will never again be complacent.

[prolesunited]

21. I think it has been a year of firsts for many

No matter what happens, we can all say we were out there fighting in the trenches.

Welcome to DU, FightingIrish. We certainly need your spirit on our side. :hi:

[Tight_rope]

46. Welcome to DU FightingIrish!

[Nickster]

6. Almost identical story for myself as well.

I first got that feeling when I watched * take the oath of office. I just knew things were going to go downhill. I got gradually more involved as the time went by and the lies piled up. Never made contributions in the past, but always voted. Now I've donated to here, MoveOn, DNC, John Kerry, etc.

I've gotten so obsessed with politics that I'm not even remotely ready for my fantasy football draft next week.:)

[Tight_rope]

47. Welcome to DU Nickster!

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. I've voted in every election,

including the primaries. I like to bitch and complain about our leaders and if I didn't vote, I figured I wouldn't have a right to say what I thought of them. SO, I have always voted, but the first time I was ever really involved was when Carol Mosely Braun ran for the Senate. I worked for her campaign. Then, nothing (except voting) until the chimp stole the 2000 election. Now, they can't shut me up. I'm all politics, all the time until November!

[MrSlayer]

9. Not very involved before 2000.

I always voted but I didn't really follow closely until the 2000 election. I warned everyone I knew about Bush and what would happen but some people just "wanted a change" which I found ridiculous. As far as what I'll do after Kerry is elected, I guess I'll relax for a while and then start criticizing him when he's wrong and praising him when he's right. I'll not drop my standard just because our party is in power. Unlike the Freeps, we hold our people accountable.

[trof]

10. Not. At. All.

I voted, that's it.
9/11/01 didn't change everything for me.
Election 2000 did.
:grr:

[Liberal Gramma]

16. Same here.

The 2000 election shook my faith in the system, and everything Bushco has done since has intensified my resolve never to be complacent again.

[medeak]

12. PNAC

is what did it for me. Was so terrified ...spurred me to action.

[greenbriar]

13. I voted and made sure my spouse did to

that was about it

[AmandaRuth]

14. zero

i was dismayed about the election and the overabundance of spew radio. even the internet political sites were full of vitriol (Pre du days). I completely shut out of anything political because it was so ugly, and so full of lies and bullys who wouldn't let any other voice be heard. One day I saw a notice for a Dem meeting in the local newspaper, and I thought I would check it out. This was only about 16 months ago, i have been going ever since and plan to keep doing so for the rest of my life. i was so happy and relieved to find others who shared my values and concerns, I wasn't sure they existed anymore, but thats the objective of the rethug noise machine, is it not?

[AG78]

15. Not at all

I'm 25 now. Before the 2000 election, I just didn't care.

On election day, I was flipping through the channels. There wasn't much on, so I stopped on some election coverage. Just to be doing it. Didn't turn it off for the rest of the day. Haven't turned it off since. It's not everyday you see a coup in America. So it was an interesting day.

And after 9/11, I started reading all I could about politics. If I remember correctly, it was in the spring of 2002 that I learned about PNAC.

[Digit]

17. Same here

I have always voted, but never became truly "active" until the 2000 election. I had a horrible forboding about * and began writing to sites asking why they only presented RW viewpoints. Of course, I was ignored.
It floored me how a man with what I believe to be the attention span of a gnat could even get nominated to run for office.

[sweetheart]

18. zero zip nada

Edmund Burke's maxim:
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

inspired me to activism until these filthy pukes are put in prison
for high treason.

[59millionmorons]

19. Got involved during Monica gate

I was a registered republican. Although I by nature agree mostly with the Democrats on everything, I was at a local fair in 1990 and I was cornered in registering to vote by some people running a GOP registration drive, so I signed up so they would quit bugging me.
(there stand was right in front of the mens bathroom so I caved). But I never voted before 2000 after changing parties. If it was not for the impeachment I probably would still be registered as a republican and would never have voted. Now I am a stinking liberal and I love it.

[LWolf]

20. Not involved at all.

I stayed up with current events and issues, and voted, but I never campaigned or supported particular campaigns. I never belonged to a political party.

That changed in 2000. I've been more political the last 4 years than the whole 40 years before that.

I don't honestly know about my level of activism. Once Kerry is elected, if I followed my heart I'd turn my back on politics. I can't stand the inherent dishonesty and manipulation. But I expect that I will become more active, for awhile. Kerry isn't going to move on many issues that are priorities for me, personally and professionally. I expect my level of activism to increase until those issues are acknowledged and addressed. It may take a lifetime; I hope I've got the iron constitution necessary to see it through.

[Pax Argent]

22. I was never that interested in politics

I've fully believed that the whole political game is rigged to benefit the rich and that it didn't really matter who was in charge. Bush, the rethugs, and the whore media have changed that.

My "awakening" took place as a result of the Great Californian Energy Screw. It scared the hell out of me to realize that the President could hold down a whole state while his big donors screwed them right out in public and the media wouldn't call them on it. Even more frightening was that half the population would cheer them on while they did it (freeperism).

Then came the tax breaks for the rich and then, blammo, 9-11. The image came to me then that our ship of state had just hit an iceberg, and we had Daffy Duck in the pilot house. It hasn't gotten any better as time has gone on.

I'll be honest. I don't really consider myself that partisan. I just want to see the malevolent force that currently presides over our body politic expelled. The lies, graft, murder, and sheer incompetence must end.

I don't believe I can ever go back to my (not so) blissful ignorance. Politics consumes a great deal of my energy and attention now but I just want to stop. I'm tired of all of this nonsense and ugliness. I just want to go back to allowing the system to take care of itself, and I am hoping that Kerry can change the way things are. At a minimum I want to walk away for a while and not have to worry that our president isn't going to go invading any more nations in the name of Freedom(tm).

[Skittles]

23. I will admit: very little

I am a political junkie now

[Mz Pip]

24. The Impeachment

I never wrote letters to the editor or to congresscritters before the Impeachment. Since then I am always firing off some opinion to a news or media outlet.

I always voted, though I don't know how politically savvy I was since I voted for Anderson in 1980 which was a huge mistake. Makes me even more passionate about those Nader voters because I've experienced the fruits of throwing my vote away on some 3rd party candidate who hasn't a prayer in hell of getting elected.

I was at the 1968 Democratic Convention but I wasn't old enough to vote back then. That was a bad time for Democrats. I hope NYC doesn't get violent. It will cost us big time if it does.

MzPip
:dem:

[Sugarbleus]

25. I was like you.

These last four years have turned me into an obsessive, politically.

I've never donated to a campaign in my life until this one. I marched in the 60's/70's and again during this period--though I limp more than I march (hee).

My family is onboard but they have been a little "ignored" by my fervor for this election. Bless them for their patience.

These dreadful Bush years and the ensuing elections have revved me up to find my backbone, to write to people I might not have written to before, to become more involved in my OWN community even.

No, I won't let it go even after Kerry wins...there's much work to do and I've seen what perseverance can achieve.

Thanks DU for helping me get to this point. :toast:

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

26. Not very, too busy

I was going to college from Sept '97 to Dec '01, and before that I was in high school. I was way too busy going to school and working to pay for school to worry about anything else.

I can't say I'm very active politically now, although I wish I could be. I'm spending my days taking care of my son, who is almost 2 years old. He's too young to drag along to a protest (although he is very good at protesting when he doesn't get his way). My family is also not is a good enough financial situation to be donating money to anything. Oh well, I guess.

[prolesunited]

30. Well, we all get busy in our lives

and I'm sure being a parent of a 2-year-old consumes a lot of time, but there are ways for you to be active. The kind of world your baby will grow up in depends on it.

You're here now getting armed with facts and new perspectives. You can always take that information and talk to as many people as you know, make sure they're registered to vote and realize what the stakes are.

You also can write letters to the editor and contact your legislators. There's lots for you to do. Find your voice and use it.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

52. Easier said then done

I literally don't know anyone where I live. I'm not from this area. I've written emails to legislators of this state before, but I'm not really into the idea of writing letters to the editor.

[Kanary]

27. *VERY* involved from 1968 through the 70's

I became very discouraged the the Raygun years, as people seemed to let all the garbage happen.
I worked on some campaigns through that time (which were very interesting, and I learned a lot), and went to my caucuses, got elected delegate to county then state, but in the 90's pretty much gave it up. The DEMs where I live were not welcoming, to say the least --this is when the DLC was taking over, and the atmosphere completely changed. I have since talked with some other people who have said the same thing -- they gave up their long-time involvement then.

As for being involved later.... it all depends what happens. I'm too old, and no longer willing to take a bunch of crap from younger people who seem to have no respect for others. If the local groups start to get well organized, and start really working on issues and taking things seriously, and there seems to be a place for me, then I'll be involved. If it's the same old, same old, and others aren't at all interested in actually making changes, and working on issues that affect me, then I can't continue to fight uphill battles, and will be looking for another party, as will many people I know.

Kanary

[A Brand New World]

28. First Times for Everything

I've always voted but not real involved in politics until the 2000 debacle. I had not ever donated money to anything political until this year and have now donated 4 times to Kerry's campaign and once or twice to Move On.org. I feel like I'm becoming obsessed with getting Bush out of office. I could not stand him the first moment I saw and heard him. Nobody, but nobody, has ever stirred such dislike in me as he does and I cannot understand the people who worship him. Although at work I seem to be surrounded by them. I'm from a very conservative county in Ohio but the Democrats picked up almost 800 new registrants at the primary so I'm encouraged that finally some are coming to their senses. I also have never volunteered in any political campaign but will be called Kerry's campaign to see what I can do to help to bring sanity back to the world. It seems like we live in some sort of bizarro world now where up is down, & down is up. It's insane.

By the way, I also went to my first political rallies this year too. I saw Kerry & Edwards in Dayton at the end of July, just a day after Kerry picked Edwards. The crowd was enormous - 18,000. Then I saw both of them again a couple weeks ago in Springfield at the stop that they made at church. My husband works for the local TV station and he was able to get me into the church. I shook Edwards hand and got Kerry's autograph. It was the most exciting thing I've ever experienced!! Hopefully, HOPEFULLY, they will be the next President & Vice President of the United States!!!

Anyway, here's to all of our obsessions!! Get rid of the unelecteds!!!!

[newyawker99]

29. Hi voyagerforkerry!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Tight_rope]

44. Welcome to DU voyagerforkerry!

[kitkatrose]

31. Not a damn bit.

I kind of perked up during Monicagate, but that was too nasty for my mind to comprehend (I almost ten, I think). When 2000 rolled around, I couldn't believe that the idiot really was running, let alone that people liked him. I lost a friend over that. Ever since then, I've been unbearable to my family, especially my mother who won't let me read the editorial page for fear of a massive coronary. I did get her hooked on editorial cartoons and I'm working on my little sister. This is my first election I get to vote in and I'm damn well going to do my duty. Too many people fought and died for my right to vote for me to sit on my ass.

[jeffrey_X]

32. I wasn't involved what so ever...

Several factors have played a part in my being more political.

The first step was becoming a full fledged liberal after really getting to know and marrying my African American wife. I was a conservative before I met her and looking at society through the eyes of an African American change me instantly and forever.

[jeffrey_X]

35. I didn't care because I was oblivious to my master status as a white man

I was going through the world with blinders on for 29-30 years. I didn't feel the need to get involved with politics because no issues were relevant to me.

I worked at an all white men's private golf club and thought the world was my oyster. Little did I know there was a whole other world happening that I was not aware of.

Again...everything changed after I truly became involved in my wife's life and thought about the realities of raising an african american son or daughter in this world.

[Tight_rope]

45. Welcome to DU jeffrey_X!

[Pepperbelly]

33. Paying very close attention since 1968. nt

[Zero Gravitas]

34. Same here

I was interested in voted, but the events of the 2000 election, the media toadying to the obvioulsy unqualified Bush and then the nightmare of his actual Presidincy has really energized me. I never gave money before but I have now and will give more before November...

[69KV]

36. Always voted. Never paid much attention..

to politics otherwise until the 1990 midterm elections. That is when I started to get angry and alarmed, and started voting for Democrats, and reading about history and politics. Believe it or not I used to vote somewhat conservative before that. Was registered Dem from the day I first registered at 18, but during the 80s I was one of those "Reagan Democrats". Not from 1990 on. Bush I pissed me off big time. Bush II is making his daddy look good by comparison.

So for me 2000 wasn't really a turning point, 1990 was. Bush I went on a big power grab once he got into office, invading Panama, big troop buildup in the Persian Gulf, sending bills to Congress that were atrocious infringements on freedom (the Patriot Act makes them look tame by comparison but at the time I was alarmed), crime bills, anti-drug bills. Central America policy and the environment were also big wake-up issues for me in 1990, unusual I guess because I'm just basically a blue-collar labor Democrat with some social conservative leanings. I flipped on those views pretty quickly after getting politically active, went from being pro-life to pro-choice and so on.

Was always pro-union but voted for Repubs in the 80s because of wedge issues, abortion and guns mostly. I have since learned how those wedge issues work as Repuke organizing tactics. I understand why a lot of working people vote for Repukes even though it's against our best interest, because I've been there myself.

[DemWitch]

37. Always paid attention...

When I was 10, I was fascinated with the Nixon impeachment hearings. I watched them everyday, and was amazed that the most powerful man in the world could get into so much trouble. My first election I was able to vote in was 1982. And in '84 I couldn't wait to vote for Mondale and Ferraro. Then in '88 I had a relapse. I voted for Bush, the Senior. There was just something about Dukakis I didn't like. When the Primaires heated up in '92 I was rabidly for Clinton. Halloween that year I went out dressed as Barbara Bush with Clinton/Gore pins all over my dress (that I borrowed from my Mom). I had this huge purse and in it was miniture candy bars with Clinton/Gore '92 taped on them. I walked into every bar in my area and stood at the end of the bar yelling "Don't vote for my husband" and would toss the candy to the folks in the bar, and then leave. My little way of campaigning for The Bill and Hill :)

[stevedeshazer]

38. Started in 1968

I was 13. I volunteered that summer to hand out stickers, buttons, and pamphlets for the late Sen. Wayne Morse.

Spoke out in high school against the war, protested in the streets then, and helped campaign against the siting of a nuclear plant near my small home town.

Wrote political songs late 70s-early 80s. Started a family.

Marched against Gulf War I in 1991.

Got mad at Clinton for NAFTA and GATT and WTO in 96 and supported Nader. Same in 2000.

Volunteered to defeat anti-gay measures in 98.

Worked on campaign to pass local tax measure to support schools in 2002.

Protested W and Cheney six times since 2001.

Raised money on the streets for the DNC last month.

When Kerry is elected, I know we will have to work harder than ever to defeat the Radical Right. They will not go quietly.

[unslinkychild1]

39. VOTING RECORD

I voted once, just after I turned 18 (I'm 40 now) in some local election that I didn't even understand.

I am now registered again and voting Dem. I think if I'd have had the internet back when I was 18, I'd have been much more involved.

[Tight_rope]

48. Welcome to DU unslinkychild1!

[alittlelark]

40. Prior to 2000 I was liberal

and would vote accordingly.

I am now a vaccinated member of the 'no kool-aid' crowd. Kerry WILL get in according to all history lessons/polls. If it is stolen all bets are off. BBV=revolution - or, just admit you attempted to rig it!!!!

"May You Live in Interesting Times".....hate that....

[AnnitaR]

41. Thanks to William Jefferson Clinton I have...

been actively involved since 1992! The first vote I was able to cast after turning 18 I cast for him! I have been a rabid Dem ever since!

Damn I miss Bill!!

[Warren DeMontague]

42. Very Involved From 2nd Reagan Term to Present.

Cut my teeth in college on the Central American Nightmare and went from there.

[Tight_rope]

43. Same here!

Never turning back. I've lived with the Devil in power for 4 years....never again.

[0007]

49. Right after I found out what I was doing in Korea in 1951 -

[cmd]

50. I read, I voted; but I never phoned, canvassed, donated,

or did any of the work I'm doing now. I've found I missed out on a lot of good things and never got to know a lot of very good people. Hey, W has united me with new friends!

[Lavender Brown]

53. Not enough

I really wish I had been more involved, activism-wise, in college. I expect I'll remain as or more involved when Kerry is president. God knows there's a lot to fight for.

[DWolper]

54. Franklin Roosevelt in 1944 (!)

I am an old fart who first handed out flyers for FDR in 1944, did the same, and a little more, for Truman in '48. But I cast my first vote for Ike in 1952. Been pretty active, in a lot of different ways, ever since.

[Blue-Jay]

55. When Kerry wins the election....

I actually believe that my level of activism will increase. I don't want him to forget who tipped the scales in his favor.

As for the original question: Yes. The 2000 election had a profound impact on my level of activism. Many of us slept for too long. Never again.

[Zhade]

56. To my shame, not at all. I didn't even vote in 2000.

And I supported b*sh's "war on terror" (but nothing else he wanted) for, like, ten months after 9/11 before I woke up.

It was a rude awakening.

[prolesunited]

59. Sounds like you have much to atone for

But, then again, if you can be awoken, I'm sure others can as well. What finally opened your eyes?

[Zhade]

60. The lies.

Didn't vote in 2000. Wasn't even registered, actually. Priorities elsewhere.

I'd had my own form of mental dissent from the government for a long time, mostly based on bits and pieces of America's true history that I happened to learn along the way. Being partially from Native stock (1/4) didn't hurt the equation either - I'd heard many stories about what had happened to those like my maternal great-grandfather, who was adopted by a white family after his own family was wiped out in the expansion, Manifest Destiny-style, westward. Plus, Rage Against The Machine rocked my high-school mind in '92.

But until 9/11, I really never thought politics mattered. I felt powerless, and didn't really care. Hated the Clinton impeachment, hated b*sh, didn't see much changing (boy, was I wrong on that one).

Then, 9/11. Wow.

Still hated the fucking chimp, but I guessed since we were under attack, I'd better cool it on the criticism. Well, at least he hasn't totally fucked up the response. Wishful thinking.

Afghanistan was a mess, tons of innocent people were being killed, but I still wasn't awake yet. Having some bad dreams, though. Dark, full of shock and disbelief.

Then, I stumbled onto rumors. Whispers, really - BUSH KNEW. The warnings, the briefings, the pre-planned war in Afghanistan (to be aided by India).

I woke up.

Haven't let up on the traitor since.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

57. Not. At. All.

The 2000 election was where my interest began, period. Before that, nada.

[democrat_patriot]

58. Not involved at all.

But I am now.

And I'm for John Kerry!!!!!

[ScreamingMeemie]

61. It's always been at the edges of my life. I refuse to allow it to

take over my family, my hopes, my dreams. But if I do not pay attention to it...someone else will take those things away. So now, this time around, I'm active.

[auburngrad82]

62. I voted but that's all

This is the first election where I actually made a campaign contribution (first time I could afford it) and the first time that I actually talked people into registering to vote.

[H2O Man]

63. Very....

People in my family have been involved in politics for generations. I have been a grass-roots level activist for decades. At times, it seems funny .... when I was in my twenties, for example, I was not particularly patient. I saw things in kind of extreme terms. Most issues were easily defined in terms of right and wrong.

Today, my sons and my nephews and their friends like to talk to me about the good old days, but they think I'm lame on current issues. I think that they respect my knowledge, but they aren't patient. They see things in terms of right and wrong.

I fully expect they will push my wheel chair out on an ice berg this winter.

[seaurchin]

64. Those days just before and after the election

were pivotal in my political involvement and understanding. I'll never forget the feeling of outrage and shock that political operatives could seemingly get away with theft in broad daylight. I have become much more interested in working for the candidate, rather than just 'voting'. I want to try to increase my vote by influencing others around me.

[dryan]

65. Always very involved....

helped my mother walk neighborhoods for Adlai Stevenson in 1956, that's how long I have been active in politics. I was four at the time. My mother says that I wasn't afraid to go up to anyone and give them a flier and let's face it, who can deny a child! I have voted in every election -- regular, special, and primary since I turned 18 years old. I have been involved in many campaigns and even met my husband when we worked for Carter-Mondale. For over 25 years I was a member of the Orange County (Florida) Democratic Executive Committee including six as secretary.

[nodehopper]

66. Great question!

I wasn't as aware before 2000 as I became.

I wasn't actively involved (donating, letter-writing, etc.) before 2001

I wasn't directly involved until I started volunteering for Dean for America

After that ended in a crash of disappointment, I looked for reasons why, came up with corporate media, put it together with my disgust over the media coverage of the war and their pandering to Bush and became a serious and dedicated media/video activist.

And that's my "how I came to activism" timeline.

[OnionPatch]

67. Like you

always voted, paid some attention but not near as much as the last few years. The 2000 election woke me up to some degree but the war in Iraq was the real clincher. I saw from the beginning that something was not right about it. The whole world was against it and I was just blown away, horrified that * would go ahead against the wishes of the world and half of the country! Just blew me away. Now I'm obsessed. I feel our country is standing at a crossroads and the road * is trying to take us down is the road to hell!!!

Edited to add: No, I will not stop being active if/when Kerry gets in. In fact, I vow to NEVER stop keeping up on what's going on and will dedicate a good part of my energy for the rest of my life in making sure we keep our democracy and that we have no more W's.