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Everyone has something to give!Where better to start on the hard issues of American politics than with a piece of your mind? Lately, I've thought about how members of a large E-community, such as OEN, fit into the picture. Words and pictures are the gift we all have to send to the world.
First, I researched what the code of ethics of a Professional Journalist are, according to their society. I know I'm not a journalist, because I have very strong opinions on politics. Journalists are bound to not take specific stand on issues. How about columnists? Maybe I'm not a professional. Can I settle for "an aspiring unpublished columnist."
I edit for OpEdNews and find that useful. The easier part is to see that submissions have sentences which make sense, and spelling and punctuation is acceptable. A little more difficult is to determine is whether the subject fits OpEdNews style and purposes.
When I read articles, I find that many members write meaningful comments but the statistics at the bottom of the comment show never an article or even a diary--very likely not even a QuickLink. That perplexes me.
For new members I can understand that getting acquainted is a valuable thing to do. One has to wonder why long termers don't write. Maybe that's the reason I'm a softie when a submission comes in from a first-time author. I encourage them if need be and try to comment when appropriate. The reason I feel the way I do is because, as we often assert, OEN is an organization which believes in bottom/up politics. We all have a story to tell. Listening with courtesy to others' opinions and responding accordingly gives better consensus of what current actions should be advocated. Taking this notion a step further, it can be used for national and global problems. Much as I appreciate the way the President set up a site where we can leave our opinions, I do not think it does the whole job.
Groups such as OEN can make a difference by coming to concrete steps. We can each know how to make a better impact when writing elected officials. We can be more specific--which requires better responses, be there any.
Telling human interest stories about subjects like healthcare, jobs, and education put The People into the legislative process. Some members do this quite well. I have to ask. Why do some of you hesitate? Bottom/up is really a two-way process. As the saying goes, "If I'm part of the problem, I want to be part of the solution."
For those who are motivated to write for the first time, I suggest looking at the guidelines for submission. If you would like an easier test run, write a diary.
Think of it this way. A person who doesn't even vote, has little reason to get grouchy over the government others gave them. A person who thinks voting is all which is required has nothing to look forward to except what others decided to tell the officials you elected.
