Party Politics Suck

In a recent article by Bob Poe in the Alaska Dispatch, Poe shames Alaskans voters for not voting in the Alaska Senate race, leading to a Republican loss for Alaska's single senior Senator, Lisa Murkowski. To the horror of most people in the state, albeit a majority of non-voters, Joe Miller snaked himself into the race, endorsed by none other than Sarah Palin with beaucoup dollars from the National Tea Party.

And because of this, the expected democratic nominee, Scott McAdams, won the race, but not in the landscape predicted by the party. Frankly, McAdams probably didn't have a chance against Murkowski. But with crazy-town Miller pulling in and setting up shop, with all the bells and whistles and national financial backing, the seat for Alaska's next US Senator just got real freakin' interesting.

So...here we are. Sitting in the Last Frontier. Not voting. Playing the same political games we laugh at the Lower 48 for.

Poe's closing paragraph is right on:

"Only 28 percent of registered voters bothered to show up to vote in the August 24th primary elections, 72 percent did not -- you know who you are. Yep, life is busy and sometimes showing up on a specific Tuesday to vote is a hard thing, but in Alaska we can both vote early and absentee. When we don't show up we allow, in the case of the senate race less than 10 percent of the voters to decide our state's future, our futures, and most importantly, Alaska's next generation's future.

Shame on us."

While the voters (or non-voters) are the subject of Poe's article, I find it hard not to look at the candidates of all the races. Perhaps "voting" should be a stronger campaign message.

I know what political strategists and advisors are saying: "Why waste my candidates time talking about voting, when he or she could be talking about themselves?"

Well, perhaps that's the problem. Candidates are only talking about themselves. They are not talking about the people of this country who hold their nomination. They are not empowering the public to take control of their voice and vote for the betterment of the local and national community. And, to be fair, the voters are letting them.

The message should be about bringing people back to the idea that we can work within the system that we have. Look, our political process is f'd up. There are so many things wrong about the way we operate our country, it has turned off the American population. They don't understand, they don't think legislation will effect them, they don't believe they can make any sort of difference with one vote.

Maybe the two party system worked for the country that we were when it was created. But like every individual, business, corporation, and relationship, it must change with the times, grow and adapt for the betterment of the great good. Today, the party line is nothing but a way to divide people based on wedge issues. And voters who only vote on party lines are lazy and committed to keeping wedge issues as a manipulation of public emotion.

"I'm a democrat because I believe in free choice. What would your daughter do?"

"I'm a republican because I believe in the right to bear arms. If a D gets into this seat, he will take this right away."

Good Lord! Our 10% of voters sound like children on a playground.

Our nation is lazy. We are fat and lazy. We sit in our big houses with big mortgages, toys in the driveway, watching television, while our children play video games and eat Cheetos. We spend our money on plastic food, and plastic surgery, and after we eat our third or fourth meal of the day, we snuggle into our cozy California King sized beds, and drift off to a plastic dreamworld.

And when we have enough gumption to talk politics, we surround ourselves with people who think like us, and act like us. We talk about how we could do it better, or how we see the solution so clearly. We debate the "other side." We are always talking about "the other side."

I'm personally confused about who the "others" are. Blue Dogs, Tea Party, Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans, Centrists, Far Left, Far Far Right...

Aren't we all Alaskan? Aren't we all American? Aren't we all human?

In order to regain order of this country, we need to see past party politics. Abortion was passed in 1973. Does anyone else think this argument keeps America in 1973? I'm living in 2010, where we believe in each other to make decisions based on our own personal belief systems, because we live in a free country, where we send our own children to die for this freedom.

One vote does make a difference. Are we going to inspire people to vote by the party line? Or can we find it somewhere inside ourselves to elevate the conversation past the political Hollywoodicking to something that ignites a little flame of patriotism? Voting is patriotic. Voting strictly on a party line is not.

We will see more people voting in the November 4 race, and because we are victims of an outdated two-party system, each of us will have to choose between voting R or D. Will you be voting on wedge issues of the party, or will you be voting for someone who can work with the rest of the country, while moving the state toward a sustainable future? Are you voting because you want to see "your side" win, or are you voting because you want someone who can work within the system we have to get what we need. Alaska is a misunderstood state, with much to prove. It is not easy to represent Alaska in Washington. Our representatives need all the sane national support we can get. That means finding the commonalities and beginning there.

All the things we are slating to improve and correct for our country today- the big ones- health care, jobs, education, financial reform- need to be prioritized by the people we elect. And we need to elect people who can understand how to work within the political structure we have today. Sometimes this means we elect scholars with knowledge of strategy and debate. Sometimes this means electing someone who has seen what the true consequences are when Washington makes decisions based on party lines.

We've already lost Poe as an elected political official. And we've already lost one particular Joe Miller endorsing governor to fame and fortune. It's okay to make mistakes if we learn from them. Alaska deserves better.

Tedx

Today I spent the better part of my time sitting in the Syndey Laurence Theatre in the Performing Arts Center in Anchorage. I was excited about the prospects of hearing new ideas and taking myself to another level of understanding. I was attending the first ever Tedx Anchorage event.

If you aren't familiar with Ted, it's a concept to take note of, especially if you consider yourself to be intelligent, enjoy thought-provoking material, and embrace curiosity. If you don't own (or admit to owning) any of these traits, Ted is probably not for you, but I would encourage you to take a peek anyway.

I admit when the concept of Ted was first introduced to me, I thought it would be a place where the quacks of the world come together to talk about quacky things. You know, things that sound like they could be something great, until you realize that the material is what you realized years ago, and mostly relate to common sense principles. I guess it's always good to reevaluate those principles, ones that make up the very fabric of your being, but that's the thing. I guess I assume that since this cognitive understanding is a part of the fabric of me, then why do I need to listen to someone preach about it? I don't. (Though I see the value of the message and I've also seen the impact they have on opening people's eyes and minds to experience life in just another sphere.)

Ted isn't like that. In fact, Ted could very well leave you in the dust if you aren't paying attention, and if your mind and your body aren't already subscribing to these very principles. Am I being vague? Perhaps principles could be replaced with enlightenment. It just sounds a bit pretentious, but I think it probably best describes what I am trying to convey. So if you desire or subscribe to being enlightened (and if you aren't above it), Ted will take you there in ways you wouldn't expect.

TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with the annual TED Conference in Long Beach, California, and the TEDGlobal conference in Oxford UK, TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Program, the new TEDx community program, this year's TEDIndia Conference and the annual TED Prize.

-Ted.com, read more here

Rats off to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce!

“Rats off to ya! Wonderful!” that’s what I texted my friend, Jessica Duncan, as I left the Discovery Theatre tonight after the 52nd Anchorage Chamber Gold Pan Awards, an event she helped coordinate as staff of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. The phrase is from a ridiculous animated sitcom called Tom Goes to the Mayor, and it's a joke we have to prop each other. Anyway, I was at the debut of the re-polished and rejuvenated business community award ceremony, and it was fabulous.

A chamber of commerce does many things. They wear many community hats, and have many community faces. That doesn’t mean they are fake- not that anyone thinks they are, but because the membership is involved. A very large part of the Anchorage Chamber membership is involved, which was so apparent tonight by the class of people in the room, and the level of commitment and dedication and volunteerism they all shared.

I guess I underestimated what this event was going to be like. I dismissed it because the time had changed from Saturday night at 7pm to Thursday after work at 5pm, and the event was not a “formal dinner” as it had been in the last 50 years. The beginning was a cocktail reception at 5pm with the ceremony starting promptly at 6. I mean promptly. There was no sneaking in late, or crouching in the background. You have Jessica Moreno to thank for that. As I understand it, she was the mastermind of this evening’s beautiful ceremony, which lasted exactly one hour. Painless and entertaining, it was an awards ceremony of none other I have attended. Afterwards, guests were treated to hors d'vours and the group again networked with each other.

Megan Baldino was the MC. She was able to bump her Alaska Club work-out for the fun-loving business community, before she reported the evening news. I didn’t see any cameras there, but I thought she added a creditability and relevancy, and tradition to the night. I think many people bumped their work-out schedules for an early evening out, and the crowd looked great.

The script was elegantly written and thought out, and two podiums were placed at each end of the stage with a brightly lit burnt-orange background. The program moved smoothly along from speaker to winner to photo to speaker. The categories were delivered straight to the point and the recipients stood up in the crowd as a bio of their works and dedication was read.

Sammi Glascott welcomed the audience, nervous and contained. She's the new president of the chamber of commerce, and she looked extremely proud to have a dedicated and caring staff , the foundation this membership, who are truly amazing.


I realized tonight the genius of our chamber of commerce were the people behind the scenes of the event. The people who greet you with a smile and a warm hug or handshake. The people who play politico best, who represent 1300 diverse business interests, who aren't afraid to change what they started, and who embrace their membership. They work their asses off for the membership. For someone to be in their club.

I wonder if it stopped being cool to be part of a membership. Did it stop being fun to be around people who held similar interests and desires? I wondered why the backlash of being a part of something that legitimizes and enhances a business community, and I realized it has everything to do with the organization. It's a circular relationship- one that feeds off each other. The health of the membership is determined by the efforts of the staff and to some extent, the board. And the health of the staff and to some extend the board, is fueled by the active participation of members. The organization is only as good as the membership, which tonight left no doubt in my mind is a high class of dedicated, experienced, determined and engaged business people.

For years, I've been going to the Make it Monday forums. It was the one of the first things I did when I moved to Alaska in 2003. The chamber was my introduction to Anchorage through these lunch meetings where we prayed and said the pledge of allegiance, and had lunch with bankers and politicians, and salespeople. And it was always a nice occasion. I sat in the back and made friends with old men and they liked to tell me how the chamber of commerce "used to be" and how they "just don't know about that man on the stage." They were (and still are) dutiful and supportive.

I quickly became aware of an after hours event called Business After Hours where I got out of work early to come plan a party for business owners, board members, and salespeople where wine and beer was served free of charge and the food was catered. I stood at the front desk and greeted every person that walked in and I observed the relationships between them.

I also began to notice that this BAH crowd, was mostly not the MIMF crowd. Actually, I may not have noticed that until tonight.

Then, I discovered that I could be on a committee!!! So I signed up for things like the Citywide Cleanup, the Ambassadors, and the membership committee where I met newer people and had my first direct contact with an active board member.

Then I decided I should work there as their Membership Director. Then I decided I shouldn't.

After all this time, the chamber of commerce and I have had a love affair. Our Anchorage City Chamber is a four star rated chamber. That means it is recognized as one of the leading chambers of commerce in the United States. Even more than that, it serves as the gold standard of professionalism in business and community spirit for the entire state of Alaska.

Change being inevitable, is still very difficult. Changing a 50 year tradition of the business community takes patience, savvy, vision and guts, and this chamber of commerce did it perfectly. I know they would say it is because of the membership that this was able to come true, and to an extend they are correct. The people and membership makes this organization rich, but the staff of the Anchorage Chamber, every one of them, is an outstanding individual.

I like this event because it highlights the people in the community who do care about their impact, and they have made it a piece of their business model. I wonder if people are always nominated based on their popularity, or of their monetary support throughout the year, or because of some friendship somewhere. My conclusion is: probably. And that's okay, because those are characteristics that a business and a person must embody to be awarded a Gold Pan Award. Those suckers are huge! It's a big deal and it should be treated as such. In the end, the people who stand out are the people who care, for whatever reason it may be, they care. The level of care in this community and from the chamber of commerce membership is outstanding. Tonight, it was apparent, as all the leaders of the crowds, the BAH crowd, the MIMF crowd, The BOD crowd, the Ambassador Crowd, the Staff crowd, and all the other crowds which represent the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, that our business community is political, active, fun, and thriving.

"Rats off" to the next 50 years, and beyond!

Social Fundraising- Anchorage Twestival. Meet. Tweet. Give.

With the emergence of social media is coming a whole new world of possibilities for making money. But this isn't just for commerce. People right here locally are raising money for organizations with the help, or sole aide of social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

If you aren't twittering or Facebooking you are missing out on a big piece of the world as we know it. What were originally dismissed forms of communication are now very real pieces to any business or person's marketing strategy.

So what is Twestival? Aside from taking a few times to let it roll of your tongue, it's a fun word to say and a fun concept. In short, it's a global idea to raise awareness and dollars for local non-profits. Cities around the world have chosen to be a part of Twestival including San Francisco, Amsterdam, Beijing and Oslo.

But WAIT! THERE'S MORE!

Using the partnerships of Amiando, Go To Meeting, Blurb, Scribble Live, Causecast, Twibbon, moo.com, Huddle, and Genius Rocket, Twestival has developed a strategy for raising money where 100% of the proceeds go toward the goal. If you have ever been involved in fundraising, you know what this means. If you haven't, you should know that organizations have to pay stiff fees for using credit card processors, online registration modems, printing and advertising that eat at a usually high percentage of the funds raised. All of these services have been provided from these partners allowing every single red cent to be counted toward the goal of each good-doer group goal.

Twestival has even enlisted in the help of Ashton Kutcher and the story has been picked up from news organizations like CNN and even rumored to be showcased by Oprah.



Twestival Anchorage is raising money in support of the Alaska Native Arts Foundation to the tune of $75,000. The events are happening September 11-13 internationally, but there are several large community events happening that weekend (including the 5th Annual Mardi Gras Street Party on 4th Ave.), so the Anchorage event happens September 15 at the newly remodeled Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center.



If you're still cornfused about the whole idea, take a few minutes to try it for yourself! Sign up for a Twitter account and start tweeting!!! If your opinion about social media still includes the word cumbersome, then retweet back to good ole' word of mouth. Talk to people about Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, etc and learn about what they are, how they differ from one another and how you can benefit by connecting with people virtually. And talk to people about Twestival.

With this concept comes much more than even I can understand, including a book of twestivals which will feature A-Town's very own, videos, and blogs.

I was surprised to find many Twestival videos with a simple search on YouTube.

Twestival is an encouraging sign of people caring about their community and finding new and innovative ways to engage, locally, nationally, globally. There is still much to learn and much to create when it comes to virtual tools, but it's nothing to be scared of and it's certainly nothing to dismiss. You will surely see more events like Twestival pop up in the future, and now is a great time to see what it's all about. If meeting in person is still your style, I'll see you September 15 at the Museum. Buy your tickets here, or donate online.

Growing Pains

Anchorage is going through some growing pains. It's typical when shock is induced on the community. Think about what Anchoragites and Alaskans in general have been through in the last six months. It's been a crazy ride, and it makes sense that there is an outcry of passion flooding through the political gates.

Anchorage, in particular, has been through severe leadership changes since Mark Begich left the mayor's seat and moved to the Senate. Acting Mayor Matt Claman ended up pissing most everyone off before he even had a chance to do anything good. Do you know Matt Cleman? You're not missing much (for a politician). Enter 15 candidates who believe they can run Anchorage the way it ought to be run, and a highly debated and voted election leading to a run-off election between Eric Croft (D) and Dan Sullivan (R), thus giving victory to the heir of the mayoral title for the next two years. All of this happening under the microscopic eye of the national media covering the Sarah Palin Saga, Vol.3.

Anchorage is going through shock. The state of the city's leadership has been in a questionable mold for a short intense amount of time. The people of Anchorage have gone from having an democratic, diplomatic, socially aware mayor, to a direct, no frills, businessman. No question Dan Sullivan has a different way of approaching the good of the order.

I relate it to an adult who is dealing with a child that doesn't respect or understand his or her discipline strategy. It is a completely understandable reaction for a child whose authority they do not know, to act out in behaviors that seem irrational. That's the analogy- except we're voting adults.

Our community is growing and growing is painful. I remember when I couldn't sleep at night because my legs hurt so badly from "growing pains". I can't sleep now because my growing pains concern my community. But like my legs, which have grown long, the pain and suffering of our community will create a place approachable and progressive place where we can keep growing and growing and growing.

Maybe it's appropriate to reference the Rolling Stones, "You can't always get what you want. You get what you need."

Maybe Anchorage is getting what we need in order to be what we want.

My First Guest Post

See my first guest post on Think Alaska.

Reflections on the Hillside- A Community Rally for Equality

Before I even get through the postal office parking lot, my shortcut, the lines of cars are jammed from 36th and C. The library parking lot has been long full. I hurriedly park illegally and start walking toward the action. The first thing I see is a sea of red. Stagnant, people, jarred, stuck, stiff..

I am shaking as I find the group of people I most relate to. The excitement is pulsating. It is the most exciting energy I have ever felt and my eyes are instantly welled with tears.

This country is an amazing place. There are people with signs and shirts of all colors. The DJ is mixing tunes- the first: “I Kissed a Girl”. People are honking and cheering as they pass by. The energy here is so fresh and vibrant. Rainbow colors. Flags.

Signs: I was born black. You choose to be gay. I just don’t understand the thinking. No logic. Ignorance.

People are dancing and cheering and laughing and food is growing. Communities of people; I have goosebumps.

I hope the scene happening here rivals the stanch, rigid feeling of the other side. This is the way community is supposed to be. United and community. Brings tears to my eyes. Spirit. Wow.

Clearly the underage crowd made it here. Clearly the clergy made it on the other side.