Post by Brad on Dec 29, 2014 7:37:52 GMT -5
(Note: Though this is posted by a board administrator, it represents the opinion of the person in the by-line.)
Why Should I Run For Office?
by Isa Infante
Following last week’s Open Letter thanking our supporters, volunteers and friends, I want to follow up with a series of open letters sharing my thoughts and those of my colleagues on issues and practices that may be helpful in our quest to take back our state and put it into the hands of the people.
Today, I want to address a practical matter, that of running for office. I urge you to seriously consider putting in your bid for political office whether you run for federal, state, county or city office. The point here is to saturate TN with YOU.
Many of us watch and moan and ultimately feel helpless at the prospect of taking on a political campaign. It seems mysterious and difficult, even for those of us who have done it before. So I have made some Notes to Self about why I ran (not in any particular order) to remind myself that it really is doable, and necessary. And I’d like to share them with you.
Why Should I Run For Office?
1. Because it takes less energy than begging, threatening, marching, protesting, letter writing, boycotting, ruminating, and hoping for change.
2. Because if I don’t run, the other side will win.
3. Because if we all run for office and saturate the legislative, judiciary and executive, we can make the common sense, humane and safe laws we keep talking about.
4. Because if we work from the inside along with others who organize from the outside, we’ve got it covered.
5. Because getting a few signatures on the petition to run is easier than getting a college degree … and it doesn’t cost anything. (Note: My petition to run for governor of TN in 2014 required only the signatures of 25 registered voters).
6. Because I don’t need to have a certain education, experience, background, bank account or special connections to run for office.
7. Because the only thing I need is to be willing to run.v
8. Because it’s easier than buying a house, raising a child, doing my taxes, winning the lottery, or writing that book.
9. Because there are folks out there who will help me figure things out.v
10. Because I’m tired of banging my head against the same wall and expecting the wall to move … I hear that’s called insanity.
11. Because if I don’t run, even that right may one day be taken away from me.
12. Because I can make the time, because I can organize my life to make it happen.v
13. Because it’s the right thing to do.
14. Because it’s time to speak up.
15. Because I want a better life for myself, my family and my community.
16. Because I’m tired of defending my values. It’s time I took the offensive.
17. Because I can run for any office - city, county, state, federal - and I get to choose.
18. Because the bumper sticker said “Be The Difference”
19. Because I can
20. Because I still have hope.
Now it’s your turn! What are your reasons for running for office?
In solidarity,
Isa
Why Should I Run For Office?
by Isa Infante
Following last week’s Open Letter thanking our supporters, volunteers and friends, I want to follow up with a series of open letters sharing my thoughts and those of my colleagues on issues and practices that may be helpful in our quest to take back our state and put it into the hands of the people.
Today, I want to address a practical matter, that of running for office. I urge you to seriously consider putting in your bid for political office whether you run for federal, state, county or city office. The point here is to saturate TN with YOU.
Many of us watch and moan and ultimately feel helpless at the prospect of taking on a political campaign. It seems mysterious and difficult, even for those of us who have done it before. So I have made some Notes to Self about why I ran (not in any particular order) to remind myself that it really is doable, and necessary. And I’d like to share them with you.
Why Should I Run For Office?
1. Because it takes less energy than begging, threatening, marching, protesting, letter writing, boycotting, ruminating, and hoping for change.
2. Because if I don’t run, the other side will win.
3. Because if we all run for office and saturate the legislative, judiciary and executive, we can make the common sense, humane and safe laws we keep talking about.
4. Because if we work from the inside along with others who organize from the outside, we’ve got it covered.
5. Because getting a few signatures on the petition to run is easier than getting a college degree … and it doesn’t cost anything. (Note: My petition to run for governor of TN in 2014 required only the signatures of 25 registered voters).
6. Because I don’t need to have a certain education, experience, background, bank account or special connections to run for office.
7. Because the only thing I need is to be willing to run.v
8. Because it’s easier than buying a house, raising a child, doing my taxes, winning the lottery, or writing that book.
9. Because there are folks out there who will help me figure things out.v
10. Because I’m tired of banging my head against the same wall and expecting the wall to move … I hear that’s called insanity.
11. Because if I don’t run, even that right may one day be taken away from me.
12. Because I can make the time, because I can organize my life to make it happen.v
13. Because it’s the right thing to do.
14. Because it’s time to speak up.
15. Because I want a better life for myself, my family and my community.
16. Because I’m tired of defending my values. It’s time I took the offensive.
17. Because I can run for any office - city, county, state, federal - and I get to choose.
18. Because the bumper sticker said “Be The Difference”
19. Because I can
20. Because I still have hope.
Now it’s your turn! What are your reasons for running for office?
In solidarity,
Isa