How important is it to be personally involved in state and local politics and give input on new legislation?
110783
It is very important to ensure that democrazy exists .... that we continue to vote and participate in voicing our concerns and ways to better our local areas.  You know what they say...."Use it or lose it"
497319
I'd say that voters need to update their knowledge about the political system. It's not like 200 years back when you just voted for one or the other party, if you are aware that things changed then you should inform yourself of what to vote for.
535857
Check your local paper or political parties
175220
Here's a link on the US Senate Committee that should give you an idea of what role they play in shaping legislation.  I can't tell you what effect committee assignments have on individual legislators, but think about this: ask yourself what interests an individual legislator from their state must serve while serving on a particular committee assignment?  Good luck...
865931
One major issue that is by and large ignored in the planning process in India, is the importance of community participation.  In some ways citizens are the forgotten part of collaborative planning.  Here, in the US, changes in the political system since the 1960s demand significant input from the community.  Before undertaking any major planning agenda, or before implementing a plan, like, a multi-modal transportation plan, or a downtown revitalization plan, the citizens are always brought into the picture.  Through the means of series of community meetings, public open houses, community charrettes, and other participation tools, the people are asked about what they prefer and why, what are their agonies and their suggestions to deal with it.  It brings a sense of responsibility to the citizens and the plans thus proposed, be it at a small neighborhood scale or at a large regional scale, always finds the backing of the people for whom they were meant at the first place.  Political bodies can both cause a hindrance or be a catalyst to a planning process. But when a common ground is reached within the constituency or city, for example, when public consensus is reached about the immediate need for a mass-rapid transit/light rail system in the city (or part of a city), then there is place for little political debate about the importance/priority of the issue.
942480
If you want to get people's attention and/or probably make some of them mad, you should do a speech on the "wedge" issues (as Lou Dobbs calls them) between Republicans and Democrats, environmental issues, lowering the drinking age, abortion, foreign policy, drugs legal/illegal. Another thing is to find an issue that is at least semi-interesting within your local/state community, like something in the news perhaps, or an on going problem, or why to outlaw something, or make something into a law.
558435
Civic participation in the community is the answer. Politicians pay attention to collective thoughts.
940292
This is just as important to vote Tuesday as in the presidential elections.  We need to have people who are capable of watching our backs at the government level.  I want them to show up for work and be able to make a honest- not political- decision on how things should be for the good of all not just a few.
858260
You should be able to go to the website of your local state or county and find any initiatives that are on the ballot.  Many counties have set up websites that show you where eaach canidate stands on the issues.  At least on the county website,  you should be able to get links to the local canidates websites, so you can learn a little more about them.  \n\nAlso most television stations and newspapers have a website.  A lot of times, they will post information on the issues.  The only problem is that they tend to be a little liberaly biased.  But they may have links to other sites where you can get the information.     Good luck in your search for the right information.\n\nmany states now allow you to register at the polls.
278375
Federal, State and Local Legislators.
511850
It depends on your priority.  There are an honorable handful of Republicans (and a few Democrats) who have a genuinely libertarian perspective on individual liberties; if your local is one of those, you might want to vote for them AND send them a letter saying why.\n\nIf both the Rep and Dem in your district have equally statist or authoritarian biases, then vote Libertarian or write in a local Libbie.\n\nIf the Republican is better on economic issues but authoritarian on the Bush New World Order, and the Democrat is good on civil liberties but too anti-capitalist, then you have to decide which is a bigger threat to your personal liberties right now.  Right now, I'd argue that the Bush people are scarier by far; but that's my priorities speaking.
871543
Your question seems to assume that candidates for all political offices should represent the constituents.  For sake of argument I will assume that you understand that mayors, governors and the president are leaders, not representatives.  Likewise, let's agree that we are discussing members of Congress, that bicameral beast in our capital.\n\nIf you look at the Constitution, you will find that Senators were originally elected by state legislatures to represent at the federal level the interests of the states, not the members of voting districts.  That leaves the House of Representatives.  Your representative should represent his constituents according to their wishes, not his own.  If you can find one who actually does that, by all means, please let me know.\n\nSo what to do with the ones who don't represent the people they're elected to represent?  Our system requires voters to keep all elected officials by staying involved and thinking critically.  Most of us are victims of government education and thus less prepared for critical thinking than some.  We would rather go home from work and have dinner in front of Entertainment Tonight than to have family disussions about work, the news of the day and so forth.  Instead of knowing what our elected officials are doing, we wonder who our entertainers are doing.\n\nThe bottom line is that we must act as individuals and within groups of concerned citizens to communicate with representatives so that they know our concerns.  If they don't act accordingly, vote the SOBs out.  It's just that simple.
630584
Where are you located? Or, what state are you wanting to know about, legislation varies by state so I can't really help without at least knowing that much.
547752
If your state has a petition/referendum process like California, then you can bring just about any issue to the ballot of the next election. Just make sure that you have it checked for technicalities and legalities by some experts and lawyers before getting petitions.
857836
Many years ago I helped draft  new legislation regarding how local school board members were elected because it was not fair to voters.   It limited the choices between candidates.  I also campaigned very hard, that same year, to make sure the current school board president did not get re-elected because he made a very biggoted comment  at a board meeting..\n\nWe were successful on both counts
775569
I have decided on all of political races in my area but I am having trouble deciding on which way to go on one issue, I probably won't decide until I mark my ballot, it really is a tough decision.
332260
We can make more of an impact by speaking our minds to our lawmakers!\n\n\nhttp://judiciary.senate.gov/press.cfm