The religion problem.
July 9, 2011 12:57 PM
How can one effectively participate in American politics (beyond the basics of voting and monetary donation) without subscribing to an organized religion?
I'm increasingly convinced that the economic problems that America currently faces will not be resolved in the private sector, and that change will have to come from government policy in ways that neither Democrats or Republicans currently have on the table. I'd like to actively participate in bringing about that change, by participating in national politics. The problem: I'm not religious.
I'm not an Atheist with a capital A... but I'm also not a believer, or a member of an organized religion. As you're probably aware, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a non-believer to be newly elected to any substantial post in American politics. (I know Pete Stark did it, but he was in office for 35 years before outing himself as an atheist.)
An even greater level of difficulty: I'm of a mixed ethnic heritage where my looks and my name would make you assume that I'm of a particular faith (even when I have no ties whatsoever), similar to the issues that Obama faces with people assuming or claiming that he is a Muslim. It would also be very difficult, not to mention disingenuous, for me to pose as a member of any faith for political purposes.
Finally: I'm not rich. I'm successful in my field, and about to enter middle age in a good financial position, but I'm not of the sort of means or connections that one typically sees in politics.
As such, I feel like there's a barrier between what's easily within reach - voting, donating, volunteering, writing angry letters - and just about any direct, high-level form of participation in national politics.
How can someone of my background make more of a difference in regards to national economic policy?
I'm increasingly convinced that the economic problems that America currently faces will not be resolved in the private sector, and that change will have to come from government policy in ways that neither Democrats or Republicans currently have on the table. I'd like to actively participate in bringing about that change, by participating in national politics. The problem: I'm not religious.
I'm not an Atheist with a capital A... but I'm also not a believer, or a member of an organized religion. As you're probably aware, it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a non-believer to be newly elected to any substantial post in American politics. (I know Pete Stark did it, but he was in office for 35 years before outing himself as an atheist.)
An even greater level of difficulty: I'm of a mixed ethnic heritage where my looks and my name would make you assume that I'm of a particular faith (even when I have no ties whatsoever), similar to the issues that Obama faces with people assuming or claiming that he is a Muslim. It would also be very difficult, not to mention disingenuous, for me to pose as a member of any faith for political purposes.
Finally: I'm not rich. I'm successful in my field, and about to enter middle age in a good financial position, but I'm not of the sort of means or connections that one typically sees in politics.
As such, I feel like there's a barrier between what's easily within reach - voting, donating, volunteering, writing angry letters - and just about any direct, high-level form of participation in national politics.
How can someone of my background make more of a difference in regards to national economic policy?
Those elected to national office rely on staffers and advisers, who are often (or should be) experts in their fields. Conservative Republican congressmen who get elected on the strength of their appeals to the Family Values crowd nonetheless have openly gay staffers and advisers, for example, in part because the congressman himself doesn't actually care about homosexuality, and in part because they want and need staff who really know their stuff. I lived in DC for years and knew and still know people who work on the Hill and in the White House who are certainly not God-fearing White Christian Americans, and they didn't at all all work for liberal politicians.
So. Get good in policy, specifically in economic policy, if that's where your interests lie. Your options are not restricted to "get elected to the Senate" or "Nothing."
posted by rtha at 1:11 PM on July 9, 2011
So. Get good in policy, specifically in economic policy, if that's where your interests lie. Your options are not restricted to "get elected to the Senate" or "Nothing."
posted by rtha at 1:11 PM on July 9, 2011
Your barrier is actually that most national-level politicians are involved in local and state politics for several years, or even decades, before making a national run. Very, very few spring full-formed from nowhere, and many of those are a) extremely wealthy and/or b) already well-known for something. In a situation like that, religion is going to serve as an informational proxy to make up for people's lack of knowledge about you. My current US Rep spent 10+ years in local and state politics before his national run, and I have never heard a single thing about his religious background. Ever. I've never seen a photo op of him doing religious stuff. It's not necessary because people are generally familiar with his stances, politics, background, fake down-home schtick, etc. (I do not like him, but that's a separate issue.)
Run for local office -- city council, county board, water district supervisor -- or, depending on how competitive your statehouse is, start at the state level. Local elected officials have the ears of national elected officials ... there are junkets, meet-and-greets, listening sessions, policy setting meetings, all kinds of things, where national officials listen to local elected officials who (allegedly) speak for their communities on important issues. After a decade or so of slogging through hearings on methods of asphalt paving for county-maintained roads (not even kidding, the county had like 12 hours of hearings on it and it was wildly contentious), you'll be better-positioned for a national run. And, in the meanwhile, you'll be able to make at least some impact on national economic policy.
It'll also serve as a primer in how politics works, which your question sounds like you probably need, and help you make contacts that help you raise the big bucks for a national run.
Your other major alternative is lobbying.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 1:43 PM on July 9, 2011
Run for local office -- city council, county board, water district supervisor -- or, depending on how competitive your statehouse is, start at the state level. Local elected officials have the ears of national elected officials ... there are junkets, meet-and-greets, listening sessions, policy setting meetings, all kinds of things, where national officials listen to local elected officials who (allegedly) speak for their communities on important issues. After a decade or so of slogging through hearings on methods of asphalt paving for county-maintained roads (not even kidding, the county had like 12 hours of hearings on it and it was wildly contentious), you'll be better-positioned for a national run. And, in the meanwhile, you'll be able to make at least some impact on national economic policy.
It'll also serve as a primer in how politics works, which your question sounds like you probably need, and help you make contacts that help you raise the big bucks for a national run.
Your other major alternative is lobbying.
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 1:43 PM on July 9, 2011
Running for office, especially national office, is actually a highly ineffective way of participating, if that's really what you want to do. Being in office mostly means fulfilling a whole bunch of promises you made to other people while trying to get that office, while simultaneously trying to gather resources in order to maintain your hold on that office (or, alternatively, get a better office.)
Get involved with an issue organization, on the other hand, and you'll be one of the guys they're making promises to.
posted by SMPA at 1:50 PM on July 9, 2011
Get involved with an issue organization, on the other hand, and you'll be one of the guys they're making promises to.
posted by SMPA at 1:50 PM on July 9, 2011
I'm of a mixed ethnic heritage where my looks and my name would make you assume that I'm of a particular faith (even when I have no ties whatsoever), similar to the issues that Obama faces with people assuming or claiming that he is a Muslim.
There are undoubtedly places in the country where people of this background constitute a sizable plurality, if not an out-and-out majority, of a Congressional district.
It would also be very difficult, not to mention disingenuous, for me to pose as a member of any faith for political purposes.
I have no doubt that you feel this way, but (1) if you're not talking about being elected president or senator it it may not be the issue that you imagine (2) you really could always just lie. Barack Obama's personal religious history looks a lot like a person who decided they wanted to enter politics and saw the need to affiliate himself with a church. My understanding is that in his autobiography he presents himself as an atheist until adulthood.
Get involved with an issue organization, on the other hand, and you'll be one of the guys they're making promises to.
You could also get involved behind-the-scenes in party politics, where you wouldn't be accountable to elections but would have as much or more influence. I'd read up on the history of Tea Party organization and then try to do the opposite with the local Democratic Party in your area. Organize online with like-minded folks, and work your way up from local organizations to national force as those people did.
posted by gerryblog at 3:13 PM on July 9, 2011
There are undoubtedly places in the country where people of this background constitute a sizable plurality, if not an out-and-out majority, of a Congressional district.
It would also be very difficult, not to mention disingenuous, for me to pose as a member of any faith for political purposes.
I have no doubt that you feel this way, but (1) if you're not talking about being elected president or senator it it may not be the issue that you imagine (2) you really could always just lie. Barack Obama's personal religious history looks a lot like a person who decided they wanted to enter politics and saw the need to affiliate himself with a church. My understanding is that in his autobiography he presents himself as an atheist until adulthood.
Get involved with an issue organization, on the other hand, and you'll be one of the guys they're making promises to.
You could also get involved behind-the-scenes in party politics, where you wouldn't be accountable to elections but would have as much or more influence. I'd read up on the history of Tea Party organization and then try to do the opposite with the local Democratic Party in your area. Organize online with like-minded folks, and work your way up from local organizations to national force as those people did.
posted by gerryblog at 3:13 PM on July 9, 2011
My sense is that the vast majority of (non-rightwing) politicians are "religious" in only the loosest sense. They make sure they're seen attending religious services from time to time, usually in a denomination known for moderation and non-literal interpretations of scripture. I suppose it's a hypocritical if you don't believe in god at all, but a lot of other things about politics are hypocritical.
A friend of mine is a state rep from a somewhat obscure region of a small New England state. He's a gay non-practicing Jew. Nobody seems to care.
posted by Sara C. at 3:20 PM on July 9, 2011
A friend of mine is a state rep from a somewhat obscure region of a small New England state. He's a gay non-practicing Jew. Nobody seems to care.
posted by Sara C. at 3:20 PM on July 9, 2011
I have a friend who has built up a respected political blog over the last decade. He is very informed about his set of issues and local politics in my hometown. He's become something of a wheel in local politics through this blog: he interviews candidates in the local primary in his party of choice, candidates for nonpartisan city council elections, etc.; he knows a lot of movers and shakers; he gets fed news by political types of all stripes. It helps that he's done post-grad work in math and does a lot of statistical voting analysis. He has considered leaving his tech job and either running for office or, more likely, going into some form of political consulting, to try to help candidates in his party of choice get into office with better campaign strategies. He has something to offer and has built up a reputation and links in the local political community over time that make that viable.
His religious status is not the issue yours might be (I'm pretty sure he's a non-practicing Catholic, which isn't the kiss of death in our state but isn't great either) but his route is one where your religious background would be less of a concern than running for public office.
posted by immlass at 3:27 PM on July 9, 2011
His religious status is not the issue yours might be (I'm pretty sure he's a non-practicing Catholic, which isn't the kiss of death in our state but isn't great either) but his route is one where your religious background would be less of a concern than running for public office.
posted by immlass at 3:27 PM on July 9, 2011
Lobby. Running for office is not a great way to change things. Leaning on people who are in office is. I have friends who would sodomize a stigmata they are so heathen/fun who make a fine living lobbying on good issues.
I will say that I have worked on elections for several city and state officials. Many of them were atheist. It all depends on the district. You can do a lot with economic policy at that level, but you will also have to deal with naming parks, making sure the sewers are cleaned, helping the cystic fibrosis organization get the permits they need for their 5k race, helping the new neighborhood bar get their liquor licence.
Those are difficulties you are going to have in any office you may occupy. If you lobby, you can concentrate on what issues you feel passionately about and the barrier to entry is much lower than any elected office.
posted by munchingzombie at 3:39 PM on July 9, 2011
I will say that I have worked on elections for several city and state officials. Many of them were atheist. It all depends on the district. You can do a lot with economic policy at that level, but you will also have to deal with naming parks, making sure the sewers are cleaned, helping the cystic fibrosis organization get the permits they need for their 5k race, helping the new neighborhood bar get their liquor licence.
Those are difficulties you are going to have in any office you may occupy. If you lobby, you can concentrate on what issues you feel passionately about and the barrier to entry is much lower than any elected office.
posted by munchingzombie at 3:39 PM on July 9, 2011
I'll agree that I'm not convinced you can do the most as a politician. Find ways to get connected to politicians, influential groups, etc. Lobbying is one way. Joining a political party and promoting/changing attitudes within it is another. Founding or promoting for an advocacy or special interest group is yet another. I suspect whether your religious views would impact holding office would initially be a very local thing. In some places no big deal, in others an instant disqualifier. So, if that is your desired route, you may need to locate in a place with enough of a population to match your ambition and accepting of someone with your views (probably coastal and more urban).
posted by meinvt at 8:25 PM on July 9, 2011
posted by meinvt at 8:25 PM on July 9, 2011
I would just like to add something on to the suggestion that you can simply "become" a lobbyist:
The ability to contact an elected official and say "Please vote this way" is not what qualifies one to be a lobbyist. Anyone with a computer can do that. You need the elected to listen to you, and then (this is the hard part) do what you ask. A lobbyist must already have a whole lot of influence thanks to pre-existing relationships, for anyone to want to hire her. It's not just like cold-calling in sales. Most lobbyists get into that role because they were elected officials or worked for many years in Congress or the statehouse, and they are on first-name basis with current electeds.
tl;dr: You can't become a lobbyist in order to gain the ability to influence politicians. You must have influence first.
>> How can someone of my background make more of a difference in regards to national economic policy?
All politics is local. The way to have impact nationally is to start right around you. Identify an issue or area where you can get a significant* group of people to listen to you and vote the way you want. Then, in addition to voting, they must become activists: donating money, letter-writing, using social media to promote your position, converting their own friends and neighbors into voters.
*By "significant", let's say X is the number of votes that your mayor or councilperson won in the latest election. If you can move a voter bloc like that, you will suddenly have the very dedicated and interested ear of your local electeds, and also likely get the attention of the county and state electeds too. In my suburb, someone who can deliver 1,000 votes is a kingmaker.
Regarding religion: I live in one of the most conservative areas of Texas, and even here, religion matters some, in that being active in a prominent Christian church in town can be a boost (and even then, it's more that you have direct access to other local influencers, not about your particular sect), but is not the primary deciding factor. As long as you aren't out openly practicing Wicca on the town square, religion is not really that a big deal.
posted by pineapple at 11:23 AM on July 10, 2011
The ability to contact an elected official and say "Please vote this way" is not what qualifies one to be a lobbyist. Anyone with a computer can do that. You need the elected to listen to you, and then (this is the hard part) do what you ask. A lobbyist must already have a whole lot of influence thanks to pre-existing relationships, for anyone to want to hire her. It's not just like cold-calling in sales. Most lobbyists get into that role because they were elected officials or worked for many years in Congress or the statehouse, and they are on first-name basis with current electeds.
tl;dr: You can't become a lobbyist in order to gain the ability to influence politicians. You must have influence first.
>> How can someone of my background make more of a difference in regards to national economic policy?
All politics is local. The way to have impact nationally is to start right around you. Identify an issue or area where you can get a significant* group of people to listen to you and vote the way you want. Then, in addition to voting, they must become activists: donating money, letter-writing, using social media to promote your position, converting their own friends and neighbors into voters.
*By "significant", let's say X is the number of votes that your mayor or councilperson won in the latest election. If you can move a voter bloc like that, you will suddenly have the very dedicated and interested ear of your local electeds, and also likely get the attention of the county and state electeds too. In my suburb, someone who can deliver 1,000 votes is a kingmaker.
Regarding religion: I live in one of the most conservative areas of Texas, and even here, religion matters some, in that being active in a prominent Christian church in town can be a boost (and even then, it's more that you have direct access to other local influencers, not about your particular sect), but is not the primary deciding factor. As long as you aren't out openly practicing Wicca on the town square, religion is not really that a big deal.
posted by pineapple at 11:23 AM on July 10, 2011
You can't become a lobbyist in order to gain the ability to influence politicians. You must have influence first.
I was suggesting a change of career in professional lobbying or volunteering with a lobby group, I should have clarified. I have lobbied as a representative of organizations that represent vast constituencies, for small regional groups, and most of all as an individual. You are correct in that people will actually care when they realize that you have the weight of votes and money behind you.
I have no idea what it is to get a job as a lobbyist in DC. But I know that in Albany, NY they are desperate for lobbyists. I imagine that is true in other state capitals as well.
posted by munchingzombie at 12:31 PM on July 10, 2011
I was suggesting a change of career in professional lobbying or volunteering with a lobby group, I should have clarified. I have lobbied as a representative of organizations that represent vast constituencies, for small regional groups, and most of all as an individual. You are correct in that people will actually care when they realize that you have the weight of votes and money behind you.
I have no idea what it is to get a job as a lobbyist in DC. But I know that in Albany, NY they are desperate for lobbyists. I imagine that is true in other state capitals as well.
posted by munchingzombie at 12:31 PM on July 10, 2011
munchingzombie: touché, you are absolutely right that this probably varies wildly by state or region. My experience is limited to DC/Austin and that is obviously not a universal scenario. Thanks for your thoughtful redirect.
posted by pineapple at 1:58 PM on July 10, 2011
posted by pineapple at 1:58 PM on July 10, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
But you could run for the state legislature and then from Congress in a place like New York City. If you don't live in a place like that, you could move to a place like that.
How can someone of my background make more of a difference in regards to national economic policy?
Of course, being a politician isn't the only way to influence national economic policy. I don't think people (even his opponents) much care what Paul Krugman's religion is (or isn't). So you could go to graduate school, get tenure, win the Nobel and get a column in the New York Times?
posted by Jahaza at 1:07 PM on July 9, 2011