Q: Why should I participate in ACP or care about politics?
A: Because almost everything is political. What you do, how you do it, what you need and what you have are affected by political decisions. Like housing and education, work and entertainment, wages and taxes, health and safety. They are all determined by policies, laws and legislation. That’s politics. Political decisions are currently made by a few people – politicians we elect. Except a lot of people cannot legally vote. Yet, they have to live by political decisions made without their representation. Politicians tend to represent the interests of people who give them $. Recently, the numbers of people who contribute $200 or more to politicians are less than one-half of 1% of all Americans. Special interests groups for industries, businesses and social causes spend $200 million per month courting federal officials. Once elected, it’s really hard to hold our public leaders accountable for what they do. We have to make due with it or get angry and not participate in elections or bang our heads against doors that never seem to open for us. Until, at least, we make ourselves more powerful in the political process. Because if we don’t change it for ourselves, things will probably stay the same.
Q:Why work outside the system to change the system?
A: System’s have a hard time changing from within. It’s even harder when the change will cause a shift or sharing of power. “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” Frederick Douglass Change, especially major social change, usually happens when there is pressure from people on the outside demanding change from those on the inside.
Q:What will The People’s Platform accomplish?
A: Our platform will tell politicians that politics as usual will not happen in 2006, 2008 and 20012. We want more say in what gets done and how it gets done. We are people who usually opt out or are kept out of politics. And we’re opting in so we can change things that will give us a reason to be involved. Our platform says we are not leaving it up to politicians to be the only ones who decide what we need, how and when. Our platform demonstrates our power to take action and make sure what we need is visible, acknowledged and addressed by public leaders. Our platform gives us the ability to influence what they do in office before they get in office rather than having to wait until the next election when our only choice is to vote them out if they didn’t represent our interests.
Q:How will ACP have an impact on the 2008 Election?
A: The People’s Platform will provide the first non-partisan, people-generated plans for improving their communities and the nation that eligible voters can compare and consider when voting for candidates and their partisan platforms. People who typically opt out of politics and elections will organize in their communities, campaign and register people to vote in ACP’s People’s Election. People who cannot legally vote in the General Election will be able to “vote” in the People’s Election and have their vote counted and publicly presented by ACP alongside the General Election results in their cities. Their “vote” in the People’s Election gives them visibility in a political process that makes them invisible. Through ACP, they, like everyone else, will have their voice heard in matters that concern all of us. People will be more knowledgeable about issues and possible solutions. They will be able to compare what candidates say they will do to what they need done in their communities and the nation. They will be less reliant on campaign ads and more affected by their own experiences, analysis and comparisons when voting in Elections.
Q: What impact will ACP have on future Elections? What will ACP accomplish?
A: As ACP expands its activities to cities in all 50 states, the way people view themselves and their responsibility in the political process will change: People will make themselves a major player in shaping public discourse on issues and solutions. People will elect candidates based on how affectively they represent their local and national interests. People will hold public leaders accountable during their terms
Q:How does ACP threaten the position of elected officials? How does it threaten their being re-elected? What makes them change the way they do business?
A: In 2006, people will put politicians on notice that they are taking matters into their own hands when it comes to deciding public priorities and solutions and making sure things get done to make life better Through the results of The People’s Election, local politicians will be given a mandate directly from people in their communities on what they want done and receive Accountability Reports people present in 2007 that meter the effectiveness of their public leaders and policies. In 2008, people in 20 states – half swing, half non-swing [we need criteria] will assert themselves in the political process w/ACP activities that influence the priorities and content of the platforms proposed by candidates and their parties. ACP’s accountability activities, will cause politicians to account for their performance and the impact of their decisions and how the alleviate the needs and improve the well being of the people they represent. In 2012, when ACP activities are employed in all 50 states, the power and influence of people in the political process should increase to where: People are major players in identifying the priorities and the strategies public leaders use. Public leaders are accountable and held responsible for their performance during their terms Public interests are represented and its well being is served
Q: Why should people who don’t vote get involved?
A: Because ACP increases their ability and power to change and influence the political process so its interests reflect their interests and well being.
Q: Why should people who do vote get involved?
A: Because ACP increases their ability and power to change and influence the political process so its interests reflect their interests and well being.
Q: Why should a community organization get involved?
A:Because ACP provides them with a tool they can use to ensure the needs and priorities of their communities are acknowledged and addressed in the political process. ACP provides their constituents with greater access and ability to influence the political process ACP provides organizations with tools and training that increases their ability to involve their constituents in identifying issues and developing solutions that make their programs more effective.
Q: Why should community-based activists and advocacy groups get involved?
A: ACP provides them with access to a wider public with which to garner support for their causes ACP provides them with the tools to gather information and input from their constituents that will improve the work they do and their effectiveness.