"Bring Five Grassroots Movement"

It occurred to me that faith-based voters have more similarities than differences. There are differences in right-to-life issues such as abortion and assisted suicide. There is more agreement than not in issues like a good basic education for all children, support for families, a viable economy that creates jobs, and a tax system that does not penalize marriage.

Even on the abortion issue, many people from all sides can support adoption and support for the mother if she chooses to carry the child to term.

I decided to focus on what we have in common and urge all voters of faith to go to their caucues and participate. If you can, host a caucus. I thought a good name for this grassroots effort is "Bring Five." We are born with five fingers, individually, they don't do much, but as a hand they can work to build things.

1. This is the primary and caucus chart from Vote Smart. Part of the strategy of "Bring Five" is to not only attend your local caucus, but to urge relatives, faith communities, and associates in other states to participate in their caucus or primary.

http://www.vote-smart.org/election_president_state_primary_dates.php

Our caucus date is listed as 2/19/2008

If you have family or friends in other states, you need to check the list for their dates.

3. These are the party sites.

a. The dems have a caucus cycle:

http://www.wa-democrats.org/

b. The republicans site:

http://www.wsrp.org/

Let the Spirit lead you to where you need to go.

c. Caucuses are open to all whether of that party or not. If you are a values voter, you should go to the caucus and:

i. Be prepared - do your homework on issues important to you;
ii. Be polite, no one wants reports of religious lunatics overrunning the proceedings; and
iii. Be persistent. If you have time to be a delegate, then by all means, run for the spot.

4. Here is how "Bring Five" works. It is quite similar to a chain letter.

Locally

a. contact your individual e-mail, card,
or mailing list. Let them know about the caucuses, tell them what issues are important for you. Get at least five of them to committ to going to a caucus, give them your issue sheet.

b. Contact your faith community and find out what, if any, voter education they are doing. Urge them to inform their community about the caucuses. If they are worried about IRS implications, see legal resources above or contact Focus on the Family, they have a non-charitable political arm. Get five people or more from your faith community to attend caucuses.

c. Individual spiritual groups like Bible study, prayer groups or other spiritual associations. Prayer is always good, see if you can get five members to attend.

Nationally

a. Many of you came from other parts of the country. Contact family and friends to attend their caucuses or go to their primaries. Check dates above. Let them know your issues. Get at least five to committ to going to their caucuses or primaries.

b. Many spiritual communities have associations in other states. Get at least five communities to inform their attendees that they should become involved in voter education.

c. Many of you are on the boards or in leadership of national associations, get at least five of those associations or their political arms, if charitable, to become involved.

If each one of us "Brings Five" the issues we can agree upon will move to the forefront.