Notes on influencing politics
I had a meeting with a local elected official today, which I had requested to discuss a specific issue. We got chitchatting about some other, unrelated local politics issues, and the official asked me my opinion on a few of them. I gave my opinions, and we had an interesting discussion about one of them. And I’m near-certain I influenced the official's thinking. This was all of 20 minutes.
This, not elections, is the essence of politics. Governance choices. Electoral politics are important, but most of the substance of politics takes place between elections, and often without reference to it. The policy issues we talked about today were both (a) important; and (b) unlikely to be electoral concerns. A lot of issues fall into that quadrant.
Going and talking to elected and/or appointed policymakers in person is—by far—the most effective way to influence political outcomes. Especially in local politics. They listen! In federal politics, they also listen, I promise; often, the real battle is getting into the room.
Most of the time they are desperate for public input, and especially motivated public input. A private meeting requested with a local official carries a ton of weight. So does showing up at town council meetings. One person with a strong point of view literally can—and routinely does—alter policy choices.
There are almost no political wizards. Most policymakers are just trying to do their best, and mostly flying blind. True in Congress. True in local politics. If you are comfortable trying to influence where your family goes out to dinner, you have all the skills you need for a 1-on-1 with a policymaker.
If your opinion is solicited, don’t hold back.