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Engaging in politics is not just for the professionals. It’s for everyone.

 If you want to have a real voice in government, the best way is to sign onto a campaign.

For me, the best choice to maximize one’s efforts is focusing on local and state politics because the Congress or President doesn’t pick up the garbage, and they don’t administer Medicaid. Like “they” say, all politics is local. Your local realtor is right. It’s all about location, location, location.

 

Campaigning is not a sport that’s easy on the spectator’s eyes. It’s also hard on the feet.

As the bearer of a pair of “feets on the streets,” your candidate will not soon forget your work—if he or she is honest about who gets them the seat in the first place.

I’ve often called the election process as the World’s Longest Job Interview. For the campaign worker, the skills utilized while capturing votes could very well be on his or her own resume.

For those who can persuade anyone, strong communication skills are preferred. Precinct captains lend a hand with project management while those who aren’t too keen on hitting the streets, there’s always phone banking, which calls for relentless folks who don’t easily take “no” for answer.

In reality—especially state and local races—the “best” campaigners take to a campaign a willingness to do anything.

That willingness to do anything, however, can often get the volunteers—and by association the candidate—in trouble. For instance, taking part in Urban Highway Beautification, a.k.a. stealing yard signs and the like, should never be endorsed by a candidate, so volunteers must understand that no one on the campaign endorses this kind of behavior.

In DeKalb County, this “I see no-thing” ploy carries no weight since the husband of a candidate for the county commission reportedly weeded out her opponent’s yard signs. Even though he was busted late the night before, the prevailing wisdom is that the media coverage of the Great Yard Sign Underhandedness cost her the election. I agree.

If you must be an Urban Highway Beautification specialist, by all means, don’t do it in your own neighborhood, and don’t just fling the signs in your trunk. Drop them on the ground where they stood so that petty theft charges aren’t pressed.

Campaigns are also a good way to get in touch with your inner acrobat. Ever wonder how the bumper stickers end up too high on the telephone pole? They have to work quickly because the light is about to change. Signs on overpasses? Truly a potential death trap, hanging signs from overpasses and railroad bridges is really just a throwback to our collective Southern youth. Don't forget your spray paint!
 

I’m convinced that this feat requires very strong and limber campaign elves with a vertical leap to rival NBA star Lebron James.
 

Now, those are some big “feets” to fill.