Our philosophy about politics

Most politicians are followers, not leaders.  We want elected leaders who will empower their democratic base and advance a democratic agenda by staking out positions on the issues, having the courage to take temporarily unpopular positions, and standing firm against the far right. 

Politics should be an honest, practical endeavor where the people are represented.  As strongly as we feel about a progressive Democratic agenda, we are not blind idealists nor are we extremists.  Compromise is a necessary part of politics.  We believe that government should govern from close to the center, not the far right or the far left.  Governing from anything other than close to the center is less than a democracy.  Thus, to promote a progressive Democratic agenda, our solution is to shift the center by educating and empowering people and gaining the confidence of independents.  

We are furious at the current Republican leadership for advancing their rightwing agenda through deceiving the political center, abusing power, manipulating our fear, and undermining democratic institutions.  Our approach to politics is exactly the opposite.  We are committed to respecting the facts, empowering the citizenry, and strengthening democratic institutions at every opportunity. 

Voter education and empowerment is key.  While voter registration and turnout is important, it is even more important for voters to think critically about the issues and the candidates.  Although people can now inform themselves more easily than ever before, most do not.  With the Internet, 24-hour news, live broadcasts of congress, we have a massive amount of in-depth information at our fingertips.  Voters can no longer legitimately say that “Its all sound bites!  I don’t have good information about the candidates.” 

However, people still need to take the initiative to look for this information.  It won’t be delivered to them by network TV or through 30-second, political sound bites.  Likewise, they still must critically think about the information that they read and hear. 

Many people do not take these steps.  They are passive participants in the political process.  How can we get them to become active?  To become excited about politics?  To think critically?  To give them back their faith in government? 

These things are incredibly more important than simply registering voters, but are more challenging.  We don’t have any easy answers, but we know that a few things are important. 

Exciting, empowering candidates mean excited and empowered voters.  The most important thing that EWV can do to get people interested in politics is to find people with courage and vision to run for elected office. 

To feel empowered, citizens need meaningful ways to participate in the electoral process.  We want to empower young people and political novices of all ages by giving them the opportunity to participate in EWV and make a real difference.  If we help them develop their skills and confidence, some of them might be the next generation of progressive leaders and political candidates. 

Do you have any ideas for us on how to empower citizens to fully take part in the political process?  To think critically about the issues and the candidates?