Alternative Paths that can Drive Change
We have ample evidence that collective action of humanity can make huge changes.
In August 1970, the largest farm worker strike in U.S. history, called The Salad Bowl Strike, occurred when they took a stand and boycotted iceberg lettuce and grapes, with millions participating in NOT buying those items. This led to the victory of the United Farm Workers Union and better conditions for those who harvest our food.
Another example is the collective boycott of the South African apartheid regime, which eventually led to that regime crumbling and Nelson Mandela being released from prison. For instance, athletes chose NOT to participate in any international sporting event that included South Africa.
The latest polls show that 57% of Americans support a ban on assault weapons. If those 57% decided NOT to VOTE for any candidate who received financing from the NRA, this could be a game changer. Similarly, if a large percentage of the 90% of Americans who support universal background checks decided NOT to vote for any candidate who receives money from the NRA, that could leave us with a legislature that would vote on the side of humanity. The US has various websites where you can look up who received political funding and what legislation our elected officials voted for. Because this is a global collective effort, we will soon provide similar links for such services for other countries.
CHECK OUR U.S. POLITICIANS
OpenSecrets.org Operated by the Center for Responsive Politics. Provides information on campaign finance, including who funded political candidates, how much money they received, and from whom.
FEC.gov The Federal Election Commission’s website provides data on campaign finance at the federal level. You can search for specific candidates, committees, or PACs to see their financial reports.
GovTrack.us provides information on congressional legislation, including how each member of Congress voted on bills. While it may not provide details on who funded each candidate, it offers insights into legislative activity.
VoteSmart.org Project offers a wide range of information on candidates and elected officials, including their voting records, campaign finance data, and more.
Ballotpedia.org Provides comprehensive information on elections, including campaign finance data and legislative voting records at various levels of government.
As misleading or out-of-context ‘news’ occurs daily it is most important for us to clarify and check facts.
FACT CHECK
PolitiFact.com is operated by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. It evaluates the accuracy of statements made by politicians and other public figures on its Truth-O-Meter.
FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. It monitors the factual accuracy of political statements and advertisements.
The Washington Post’s Fact Checker column assesses the accuracy of claims made by politicians, public figures, and pundits.
Snopes.com investigates and debunks urban legends, rumors, and misinformation. While it covers a wide range of topics, it also fact-checks political claims and viral stories.
