Homeschoolers for Kerry and Edwards
Teach your children how to work the
political system by actively participating with some of the excellent
activities and lessons suggested here. Fall 2004 is a good time
to do this.
Dateline: 9/27/04
By Ann Zeise
While this page is particularly supportive of Kerry, I also
have great non-partisan activities and links for kids who wish
to explore the election process,
even those in other countries than the USA.
First off, does Kerry support homeschooling? Is he worthy
of homeschoolers' support? From the John
Kerry Forum, a reply: "Yes he thinks its okay for parents
to homeschool their children if they choose to do so."
We helped a neighbor run for mayor of our little city several
years ago. It was great fun. Scott often went canvassing. The
politicians love having the kids run up and ring doorbells. If
someone answers the door, the candidate walks on up, too, and
if not, they save their much older feet!
We also did poll watching at a local Middle School. Scott
said something rather telling that I'll never forget. He said,
"These kids are just reading about the election process,
but *I* really know how big a precinct is, cause I've walked
some! And now here I am poll watching, and they don't have a
clue what we're really doing!"
From sealing envelopes to running a copier, there are lots
of tasks that need young hands. Teens could drive to deliver
signs, and the younger kids can steady the sign and hammer it
in the ground. Mechanical kids can keep old, donated copiers
free of jammed papers. Artistic kids can make posters. Kids who
love to talk on the phone can do phone banking.
Here are some other activities you could do this week:
How do you find any Democrat headquarters near you? Google on "[your state]
Democratic Party." If you live in a metropolitan area or
a large county, you can use that area, too, in the search. Call
the Democratic National Committee
headquarters and ask what you can do: 202-863-8000. You can also
leave a message at the Kerry
Campaign headquarters: 202-712-3000, if the message box isn't
full. Another good resource for local campaigns:
Democracy
for America supports common sense candidates who are
fiscally responsible and socially progressive. This is Howard
Dean's site for helping win elections for local Democrats.
Retaking
the Senate for Dummies (such as myself)
Currently, Republicans control the Senate 51-48-1. However, when
it comes to retaking the Senate, the numbers are actually slightly
different. By Chris Bowers.
Public Speaking
So you're shy? Me, too! Learning the skills it takes to give
a speech can make it easier to speak out.
Find out how
Kerry and Bush differ on the issues.
Activities
and Lesson plans
PBS has lots of good ideas for you and your kids!
For help learning about the Electoral System, try the CNN
site: America
Votes.
To track won electoral votes, track with this electoral
vote calculator.
Need to find out the truth? Check out the facts and find out
who is telling the truth at FactCheck.org.
Sign up for news
from MoveOn.org
Join our network of more than 2,500,000 online activists, one
of the most effective and responsive outlets for democratic participation
available today.
Join
True Majority Action
Ben of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream explains the Federal Budget
using piles of Oreo cookies. He then explains how we can solve
major problems by changing the federal budget. If you join, you
will get appeals to send faxes, and they'll do it through the
internet, so you don't have to own a fax!
Sign up for the Homeschoolers
for Kerry Yahoo Group
For homeschoolers who support, or are considering supporting,
John Kerry. Topics may include how families can get involved
in the campaign, Kerry's stand on education, and other related
issues.
The Progressive
Homeschoolers Action Network unites politically progressive
homeschooling families and organizes opportunities for them to
shape the politics of our time. Activities include training for
effective activism, lobby visits to elected officials and volunteer
positions with campaigns.
Join The M.O.B. - Mothers
Opposing Bush. Hundreds of Denver-area mothers and their
families will be marching peacefully at noon on Sunday, October
31, from 14th Ave. and Lincoln St. in Denver to the
west steps of the Colorado State Capitol, to demand a change
in the political direction of the United States. Contact Nancy Cronk, 303-680-6243,
for more information.
Poll your support group. Find out why each adult intends to
vote at all, and why they choose to vote the way they do. Keep
in mind, though, that our ballots are - or should be - a private
secret, and some may not wish to tell you. That is OK. Hold a
"straw ballot" or "pretend" election.
Like to talk on the phone?
Leave no phone bank behind! They can't tell how old you are on
the phone. Put those cell phone free night and weekends minutes
to good use!
Do you listen to national or local call-in shows on
the radio? How about on TV? Call them and let them know what
you thought of John Kerry's plan to keep America secure and George
Bush's continuing refusal to admit the truth about his record.
Here are some national shows to get you started. (All times are
Eastern.)
· Air America (all day): 646-274-2346
· Alan Colmes (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.): 212-301-5900
· Ed Shultz (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.): 701-232-1525
· Bev Smith (7 p.m. to 10 p.m.): 412-325-4197
· Doug Stephen (5 a.m. 10 a.m.): 1-800-510-8255
Most important of all, let your local and state level Democrat
officials know that you homeschool! If you are there for their
election or re-election campaigns, you can make a difference
toward home education policies well into the future.
Learn about the history
of the Democratic party.
Many other Democratic homeschoolers are helping
me to expand this page and the Civics
page, so come back often to check for additional resources.
Teach your teens about satire?
Read this article: To
Be Silenced, Or Not to Be: That is the Question by Debi
Smith. She is a homeschool parent in Oregon who just wanted to
take her kids to meet the candidates. Read about how she was
treated by the party representatives of both parties. How does
this treatment reflect on their understanding of the freedom
of speech quaranteed by the Constitution?
Parental Guidance suggested for this site. In spite of its
name and URL, this is NOT the White House website! White
House for Kids.
Got music and satire lovers in your household? The entertainers,
The Capitol Steps,
always have some lyrics that hit current events. Again, parental
guidance suggested. This troop does live
shows, so see them when they perform near you. Or learn this
song: (Didn't
Know I Was) UnAmerican.
Got a PC and want to pretend you are in control of a campaign?
Send for The Political Machine™ Spend 41
weeks on the campaign trail, serving as a campaign manager for
a presidential candidate. In an effort to secure a spot in the
Oval Office, you must secure the greatest number of electoral
votes and utilize the various facets of political strategy. Review
of this game.
With an ordinary deck of cards, Robert Krampf will help you
understand
how polls work. Many homeschoolers love his list for
getting a new science activity each week.
Why is it unusual that these people have decided to vote for
Kerry?
Watch the Presidential
debates September 30, October 8 and October 13, and the
Vice Presidential debate October 5. Check your local viewing
schedule. Invite homeschool friends over to watch it with you.
Listen, perhaps record the debates, but talk about them after,
not during.
In
Presidential Debates, a Duel of Wits and Styles
By R. W. APPLE Jr., 09/21/04
This page has some interesting points and gives you ideas of
what to watch for.
National and local news organizations will be conducting online
polls during and after the debate asking for readers' opinions.
Look for online polls at these national news websites, and make
sure to vote in every one of them. Now that the debates are over,
read your local papers, and keep current.
· ABC News
· CBS News
· CNN
· Fox News
· LA Times
· MSNBC
· USA Today
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