Grassroots Corner - May 17, 2019

REACHING OUT

The dominant political party in our town, the “P-Party,” was ousted by the Upstart Party, the “U-Party.” What happened? The P-Party membership aged out and became complacent. The U Party became energized, active and PTA-connected over the years. The U-Party then seized on local dissatisfaction with national politics, and when that moment came, the U-Party was positioned.
 
So what’s the plan for a P-Party comeback?
 
The local P-Party now has a young, intelligent, articulate and dynamic leader. His name, coincidentally, is Steven. Steven acknowledges that the comeback plan will be take several years. Steven is encouraging members to become involved in non-party activity, such as PTA’s,  churches, congregations, and Town volunteer boards and agencies. This activity might present opportunities to find younger people and bring them in. When the moment comes, the P-Party will be positioned.



We in the FAIRtax Grassroots might draw lessons from the P-Party. I just re-joined the local Chamber of Commerce after a twenty-year break as a state employee. I am hoping that folks in the Chamber will think of me as a FAIRtax advocate. I, as a Chamber member, can sponsor a lunch-and-learn event. It is important here to note that FAIRtax, at the national level, cannot pay my Chamber activities. I have to foot those expenses myself.
 
If the Chamber of Commerce does not happen to be your thing, look for something that is. The activity could be a church or congregation, a PTA, a town board, or a service club such as Rotary or Lions (I’m in Lions), or a charity. Your business or profession might provide a networking opportunity. Or the activity might even be political. Don’t spread yourself too thin, but do spread yourself out.
 
Market the FAIRtax appropriately to your group. The FAIRtax is single-issue. If the issue is not related to your group, it may be enough that volunteers and workers in your group see you as a FAIR-taxer and as a model. FAIRtax is non-partisan. If your activity is political, a political group may endorse us, but  we as FAIRtax-ers cannot endorse the political group. If your group does engage in non-partisan public discourse, you may have an opportunity to present the FAIRtax and get supporters.
 
FAIRtax supporter outreach could be a winning strategy. Let me have your ideas.
 
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CALL FOR PICTURES AND WRITEUPS
 
We need more of you to send in pictures and news. If you have anything to share, please send your material to me at jim.bennett@fairtax.org, or text me at (908) 578-4975, or fax me at (908) 598-2888. When others see your activity, they are inspired, and the process snowballs. When the process snowballs, Congress Members and Senators and, yes, even the President start to listen.