THE ELECTION, DEMOCRACY & YOU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(A) Politics, Who Cares? - Editorial
(B) Where to get started?
(C) About PlanetVote Canada
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(A) POLITICS, WHO CARES?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maybe you are cynical about the election, or what can
be achieved in the face of some major environmental
and social problems.
But there are some very good reasons to vote -- and even
more so, to get involved before and after the election.
Many of us play a dangerous game of brinkmanship.
We're waiting for somebody *else* to set the example,
create a new standard, take the first step. Others are more
fatalistic: they seem to be waiting for a catastrophic
event such as world war or worse -- so they can feel
justified in their escapism.
Fatalism is a sad, self-fulfilling prophecy: lost hope
that leads to a hopeless world. Let's not be fatalistic
about our country, our future!
This election is shaping up to be an interesting one,
to say the least. It's likely to bring some big changes,
for better or for worse. And the actions we all take
-- or don't take -- will definitely make a difference.
Whether or not you intend to vote, the time leading up
to the election is a unique opportunity. It's a time to
learn, to get involved, and to help shape the collective
consciousness of our country.
From now until June 28 is a great time to share your
concerns, knowledge and inspirations. And to *listen*
to others, of all political stripes. It's also a time to
take some responsibility for the things about which
we complain! Most importantly, it's a time to create
connections with other inspired individuals, groups
and organizations -- connections that will carry on
after the election.
There are many things you can do, from self-education,
to talking and writing to others, to volunteering, activism
and paid employment. Whether you can do a little or a lot
-- it's a good time to start.
"Democracy is not something
you believe in or a place to
hang your hat, but it's something
you do. You participate. If you stop
doing it, democracy crumbles."
-- Abbie Hoffman, U.S. activist
[ http://www.planetvote.net ]
Below we've included a variety of places to start and things
you can do, big or small. Let's work together to build the
awareness and community that will carry on, beyond
this election and the next!
- Peter Blanchard
PlanetVote Canada
http://www.planetvote.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(B) ELECTION 2004 & BEYOND -- where to get started
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* PLANETVOTE CANADA -- comprehensive election portal
with a focus on peace, environment and social issues
Homepage: http://www.planetvote.net
Links Directory: http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html
Discussion: http://www.planetvote.net/forum/
* READ UP ON THE ISSUES, parties and platforms:
Issues http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#issues
Media http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#media
Parties http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#parties
Portals http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#portals
* HOW TO...? Empower yourself and your friends by reading
these "How To" materials. Learn everything from how to vote,
to how to run for office. Why not organize a community forum
or meet with local politicians? It's all about participation:
How To... http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#howto
Be Active http://www.planetvote.net/active.html
* PARTICIPATE IN MASS & ALTERNATIVE MEDIA
This is a great time to call in to radio shows and write letters
to the editor. It's important to participate in both mainstream
mass media -- and the growing community of independent
media that are not so directly linked to the status quo.
Election Media: http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#media
Alternative Voices: http://www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html
http://www.planetfriendly.net/directory.html#voices
* ENVIRONMENTAL & CITIZENS' GROUPS -- Contact your
favourite group or organization and ask how you can help.
To find group websites & contact info, start here:
Ecoportal Canada http://www.planetfriendly.net/ecoportal.html
Portals & Guides http://www.planetfriendly.net/directory.html
* REAL CONVERSATION & COMMUNITY
During the election and beyond, learn how to create real
communication in your neighbourhood or workplace:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
http://www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#process
* POLITICAL PARTIES -- Get involved with the party/parties
that most interest you. Even if you don't want to join,
you can read their materials and go to their events.
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#parties
* LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT and parliament -- and
how you can help foster good government beyond the election...
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#government
* Find your way around government departments and websites
related to environment or the issues that concern you:
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#govenviro
* LEARN HOW TO BE AN ACTIVIST. "An activist
is someone who takes action to make things better."
Check out these excellent tools, articles and resources:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/active.html
* ELECTORAL REFORM -- Many are concerned about
the current system and that it favours the status quo. There are
also concerns about government accountability and corruption.
A number of organizations are working for positive change:
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#reform
Wanted: 1000 Democracy Activists, across Canada
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8
* ELECTORAL ADMINISTRATION -- paid positions available
http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=gen&document=ec90527&dir=bkg
http://www.elections.ca/ (search for "employment")
Election fraud links: http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20
* Green Party to be excluded from LEADERSHIP DEBATE?
To exclude a prominent national party from the debate is no
less than a scandal. Even if you're not a fan of the Greens,
this should concern you. Article, petition & action request:
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38
* STAY CONNECTED AFTER THE ELECTION !
Participate in groups, events or parties that interest you...
PlanetVote Links http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html
PlanetFriendly Links http://www.planetfriendly.net/directory
GoodWork Links http://www.planetfriendly.net/goodwork
EcoPortal Canada http://www.planetfriendly.net/ecoportal
"Tyranny loves apathy" (unknown origin)
"Freedom is participation in power" - Cicero
"The future will be what you contribute to and create" - Camp Counselor
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(C) ABOUT PLANETVOTE CANADA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PLANETVOTE CANADA -- comprehensive election portal,
with a focus on peace, environment and social issues.
Website: http://www.planetvote.net
Links: http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html
Message Board: http://www.planetvote.net/forum/
Announcement List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/planetvote/
About: http://www.planetvote.net/about.html
THE PLANETVOTE MESSAGE BOARD
This message will be posted on the PlanetVote Forum.
Your suggestions, comments and discussion are welcome!
Just go to the forum, choose the posting and click "Post Reply".
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/
~ please distribute widely ~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(A) Politics, Who Cares? - Editorial
(B) Where to get started?
(C) About PlanetVote Canada
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(A) POLITICS, WHO CARES?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Maybe you are cynical about the election, or what can
be achieved in the face of some major environmental
and social problems.
But there are some very good reasons to vote -- and even
more so, to get involved before and after the election.
Many of us play a dangerous game of brinkmanship.
We're waiting for somebody *else* to set the example,
create a new standard, take the first step. Others are more
fatalistic: they seem to be waiting for a catastrophic
event such as world war or worse -- so they can feel
justified in their escapism.
Fatalism is a sad, self-fulfilling prophecy: lost hope
that leads to a hopeless world. Let's not be fatalistic
about our country, our future!
This election is shaping up to be an interesting one,
to say the least. It's likely to bring some big changes,
for better or for worse. And the actions we all take
-- or don't take -- will definitely make a difference.
Whether or not you intend to vote, the time leading up
to the election is a unique opportunity. It's a time to
learn, to get involved, and to help shape the collective
consciousness of our country.
From now until June 28 is a great time to share your
concerns, knowledge and inspirations. And to *listen*
to others, of all political stripes. It's also a time to
take some responsibility for the things about which
we complain! Most importantly, it's a time to create
connections with other inspired individuals, groups
and organizations -- connections that will carry on
after the election.
There are many things you can do, from self-education,
to talking and writing to others, to volunteering, activism
and paid employment. Whether you can do a little or a lot
-- it's a good time to start.
"Democracy is not something
you believe in or a place to
hang your hat, but it's something
you do. You participate. If you stop
doing it, democracy crumbles."
-- Abbie Hoffman, U.S. activist
[ http://www.planetvote.net ]
Below we've included a variety of places to start and things
you can do, big or small. Let's work together to build the
awareness and community that will carry on, beyond
this election and the next!
- Peter Blanchard
PlanetVote Canada
http://www.planetvote.net
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(B) ELECTION 2004 & BEYOND -- where to get started
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* PLANETVOTE CANADA -- comprehensive election portal
with a focus on peace, environment and social issues
Homepage: http://www.planetvote.net
Links Directory: http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html
Discussion: http://www.planetvote.net/forum/
* READ UP ON THE ISSUES, parties and platforms:
Issues http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#issues
Media http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#media
Parties http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#parties
Portals http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#portals
* HOW TO...? Empower yourself and your friends by reading
these "How To" materials. Learn everything from how to vote,
to how to run for office. Why not organize a community forum
or meet with local politicians? It's all about participation:
How To... http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#howto
Be Active http://www.planetvote.net/active.html
* PARTICIPATE IN MASS & ALTERNATIVE MEDIA
This is a great time to call in to radio shows and write letters
to the editor. It's important to participate in both mainstream
mass media -- and the growing community of independent
media that are not so directly linked to the status quo.
Election Media: http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#media
Alternative Voices: http://www.planetfriendly.net/voices.html
http://www.planetfriendly.net/directory.html#voices
* ENVIRONMENTAL & CITIZENS' GROUPS -- Contact your
favourite group or organization and ask how you can help.
To find group websites & contact info, start here:
Ecoportal Canada http://www.planetfriendly.net/ecoportal.html
Portals & Guides http://www.planetfriendly.net/directory.html
* REAL CONVERSATION & COMMUNITY
During the election and beyond, learn how to create real
communication in your neighbourhood or workplace:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#anywhere
http://www.planetfriendly.net/community.html#process
* POLITICAL PARTIES -- Get involved with the party/parties
that most interest you. Even if you don't want to join,
you can read their materials and go to their events.
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#parties
* LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT and parliament -- and
how you can help foster good government beyond the election...
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#government
* Find your way around government departments and websites
related to environment or the issues that concern you:
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#govenviro
* LEARN HOW TO BE AN ACTIVIST. "An activist
is someone who takes action to make things better."
Check out these excellent tools, articles and resources:
http://www.planetfriendly.net/active.html
* ELECTORAL REFORM -- Many are concerned about
the current system and that it favours the status quo. There are
also concerns about government accountability and corruption.
A number of organizations are working for positive change:
http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html#reform
Wanted: 1000 Democracy Activists, across Canada
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8
* ELECTORAL ADMINISTRATION -- paid positions available
http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?section=gen&document=ec90527&dir=bkg
http://www.elections.ca/ (search for "employment")
Election fraud links: http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20
* Green Party to be excluded from LEADERSHIP DEBATE?
To exclude a prominent national party from the debate is no
less than a scandal. Even if you're not a fan of the Greens,
this should concern you. Article, petition & action request:
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=38
* STAY CONNECTED AFTER THE ELECTION !
Participate in groups, events or parties that interest you...
PlanetVote Links http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html
PlanetFriendly Links http://www.planetfriendly.net/directory
GoodWork Links http://www.planetfriendly.net/goodwork
EcoPortal Canada http://www.planetfriendly.net/ecoportal
"Tyranny loves apathy" (unknown origin)
"Freedom is participation in power" - Cicero
"The future will be what you contribute to and create" - Camp Counselor
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=49
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(C) ABOUT PLANETVOTE CANADA
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PLANETVOTE CANADA -- comprehensive election portal,
with a focus on peace, environment and social issues.
Website: http://www.planetvote.net
Links: http://www.planetvote.net/portal.html
Message Board: http://www.planetvote.net/forum/
Announcement List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/planetvote/
About: http://www.planetvote.net/about.html
THE PLANETVOTE MESSAGE BOARD
This message will be posted on the PlanetVote Forum.
Your suggestions, comments and discussion are welcome!
Just go to the forum, choose the posting and click "Post Reply".
http://www.planetvote.net/forum/
~ please distribute widely ~