Do petitions serve a purpose anymore?

[wtmusic]

In the seventies I went door-to-door with my best friend, clipboard and Bic pen in sweaty hand, accumulating signatures from anyone who would open the door for two 15-year-olds out to save the world. Later you might see a news clip showing some politician accepting a ream of paper with 10,000 signatures on it, some of which you had gathered (that's right: it made news). And though it might have been more wishful thinking than not, still later you got the impression that all that ink on paper meant something, that though those good intentions didn't save the world, they might have changed it for the better.

While it's now possible to get millions of people around the world to click on a checkbox, does anyone pay attention? Can a petition actually deliver results, or is it nothing more than a sentimental anachronism which rewards the signer with the illusion of significance?

[mainegreen]

1. Well, here in Maine we can overturn laws through the power of the signature.

People referendums.

More states should have this.

[soothsayer]

2. cool.

[ChiciB1]

3. Since I've Become Sooooo Very Cynical & Essentially Feel There Is

very little HOPE of getting anything done, I seriously doubt that petitions help at all. I have stopped signing them, have stopped writing or calling Congressmen & Senators, have stopped writing LTTEs and have basically stopped attending local meetings. About the only thing I haven't stopped doing is blogging, but there are times that I take a 2 or 3 week break from them too!

Ive been reading more books and try to stay away from MSM too! That does not mean I am less Patriotic or Political, I just don't think what any of us do does any good anymore! I DO watch C-Span almost every single morning and am hearing more and more people say the very same things I am. Especially this AM, I heard quite a few Repukes putting down this Administration and how they fear we have been duped and are losing all of our freedoms. THAT was astonishing to me!

I know many think they are just Democrats calling in on a Repuke line, but having tried hundreds of times to get through to C-Span myself, I really doubt it. America is headed for something awful and I am only a micro-dot in a sea of millions!

REVOLUTION seems to be the only answer and THAT IS NOT going to happen. Even with all that's going on, there is still far too much APATHY from the regular citizen! As hard as I have tried, I hear people complain but can't get them to DO ANYTHING! When it hits the fan BIG TIME, only then will something be done.

Personally, I think it's ALREADY hit the fan, but too many others are much too complacent. Who do those of us who really care turn to?? I don't have an answer to that question, so petitions certainly AREN'T doing much. They say CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN... BS... mine is Vern Buchanan (election doubtful) and he AIN'T GONNA BE LISTENING TO ME!!

[wtmusic]

5. I'm pretty much where you're at

except I do think calling/faxing might serve some purpose. If you get in their way, they have to acknowledge you.

[jtrockville]

4. In the 70's, we still had news. Now we have only entertainment.

If your petition was entertaining and it supports the corporate agenda, it will be broadcast. If not, don't count on it getting any air time.

[EFerrari]

6. Imho, it depends on the venue as well as the issue.

And, there is the secondary gain of the habit of activism.

[ChiciB1]

7. I Have A Hard Time Finding Someone Here To Be An Activist With!

I call others and invite them to come to various events, I email a lot of information, but for the most part... it's just me, myself and I in the end!

I'm a BOOMER and remember so much more, so it's such a smack in the face to see so much APATHY! This is such a consumer driven/throw-away society and ACTIVISM doesn't enter their minds. I've seen people who have very little money, get food stamps but still won't stop smoking AND to top it off, they feel a NEED to BUY bottled water because they don't think their water is safe to drink!!

I'm not sure the water IS that safe, but if I don't have anything else and don't have money... I'm not buying bottled water for sure. I've even loaned money to some knowing I would never get it back and I'm not rich by any stretch. I could go on about "this" situation but won't, but it did make me think about how society has changed a great deal.

I do realize that as we go on things do change, but I don't understand why so many remain in LaLa Land when they're the ones being impacted by this down turn the most!

[EFerrari]

9. Do you read the FL forum? Lots of fine DUers in your state.

:)

[ChiciB1]

11. Well, Natbe In The State... But Not So Much In THIS County! n/t

[Posteritatis]

8. Real ones might; those online pieces of crap have always been worthless. (nt)

[ComerPerro]

10. in a way, online petitions are somewhat of a joke anymore

people sign them multiple times with different email addresses, or opponents of the petition will "sign" just so they can leave snotty comments