[Maven]

Do you ever sign online petitions and send out letters (even if just through email) to your legislators and congresspersons? I've heard mixed reviews as to whether they are effective, and frankly, I'm thinking of stopping signing the things. It takes up time...it might only be a few seconds for each one, but that adds up...and I don't have time to write an original letter, so I send the pre-written ones often ready to send, but original letters are more likely to get attention. I want to help the animals, the children, seniors, victims and survivors. I want to stand up for my beliefs, help fight for people's rights, demand equality, seek fairness and justice, etc. But is it worth it to sign all those petitions and letters? Even if it is, I just feel like I waste so much of my time (and I say that softly, not meaning to suggest that signing is a waste of time if it isn't), when I should spend it creating and living my dreams. What do you all think?

[Yoda]

The online petition and letters opposing PIPA were successful at least in delaying passage and hopefully in producing a better written bill. So yes I have participated by signing online petitions and emailing congress.

[big zero]

Don't forget the global protests against SOPA/PIPA. Even in my backwards country, even in my town, wo managed to rally about a hundred people in the freezing cold and shout things against Internet policing for a few hours. It adds up.

I find myself wishing I could do more, but at the moment (confined at home and broke) all I can do is sign petitions. I know many Avaaz campaigns have been successful in the past, for instance. They deliver their message in places of impact (sometimes they hand-deliver petitions, sometimes they set up banners in relevant locations). So I think those, at least, make a difference.

On the other hand, "grassroots" petitions are doomed from the start, I think. I took part in several campaigns to "save" this or that TV show, and even though we had close to 500k signatures on one at some point, fat lot of good that did. (That's not a charity, granted... but still).

[Maven]

Thanks. I once read a reason why those petitions to save TV shows don't work, but I've forgotten what it was. Sorry.

I care, but I'm tired of signing petition after petition and usually never knowing if it succeeded. Granted, I don't purposefully check back usually. I spend so much time doing things that feel like I'm not doing enough. I am not living my life's dream or pursuing a better life, at least not much. I'm still going back to college in the fall, but I don't know where that'll lead, or if it'll just be a road to nowhere.

I also worry when I share pics on Facebook of the horrible treatment of animals, because some people turn away, and think badly of the person who would share that sort of thing. It's meant to shock, and it's meant to get you to care. My boyfriend isn't tolerant of that sort of thing...if he thinks you're trying to emotionally manipulate him, even for a good cause, he will just ignore you. And if you don't show these kinds of images to some people, they just won't get it. I don't know what to do.

Animal causes aren't my only causes, BTW. Just an example here.

[Umbral_Seraph]

I don't think petitions, at least by themselves, actually do anything. Congress (especially) doesn't give a f..k what you want. If a petition gets enough signatures warrent a response, the response is just a vague, convuluted excuse for why they won't do it and often they imply how everyone who signed is a dumb... SOPA/PIPA was a special case, as it was global, had actual protests, and was rooted in a UN resolution that the US wasn't going to sign.

"We the People" has no meaning to the government

[big zero]

Originally Posted by Maven

Thanks. I once read a reason why those petitions to save TV shows don't work, but I've forgotten what it was. Sorry.

I read a lot of it has to do with money. If a show isn't bringing in more money than they spend on it, it's kaput. Other times, they want to roll out a sequel so they don't want to have two shows from the same franchise on the air (despite what some people say, I still think that's what happened to Stargate Atlantis, for instance).

It's a shame, because some good shows end prematurely and others get dragged on and on and oooon...

Originally Posted by Maven

I also worry when I share pics on Facebook of the horrible treatment of animals, because some people turn away, and think badly of the person who would share that sort of thing. It's meant to shock, and it's meant to get you to care. My boyfriend isn't tolerant of that sort of thing...if he thinks you're trying to emotionally manipulate him, even for a good cause, he will just ignore you. And if you don't show these kinds of images to some people, they just won't get it. I don't know what to do.

I had several friends who posted this kind of stuff on their news feed and as a result I blocked their images from appearing. ^^; It wasn't anything personal and most of them understood. Just that the images triggered this thing I have about helplessness in general... and then I remember stuff and I cry. A lot.

By the way, I thought about something... since you said you're not sure whether your actions have any impact or not, have you tried getting involved in a cause in your local community? Something with visible results? When I can afford to, I donate to two local charities (a help/support foundation for cancer patients, and an abused women's shelter). Both have newsletters with their recent activity. Every time I read what's up, I feel a little better for a while...

I'd volunteer, too, but my problems are making it hard to even get out of the house ^^;

[Maven]

I completely understand not wanting to see those pictures. I get upset seeing them, too. I just want to do something about them. I don't have much money to donate (although I give a little to a couple of animal charities each month), and not a lot of time to volunteer. I really want to use my time to be creative and write or something and make money, which I could then give more to help. I'd like to volunteer at the local SPCA (I say local, but it's really outside my county, but closer than the Humane Society, which is in my county).

I saw several stories today about animals, some with happy endings, some not, and I cried over them. I don't understand how some people can be so evil.

[bharani1008]

Thank you for telling us about April being " Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" month. I never would have known otherwise.

[spondiferous]

I keep signing the petitions. I've been signing them for years. I sign the ones for agencies that follow up every so often with details about how it turned out. Some losses, some victories, just like everything else. With everything going on with my mental health, I don't always have the energy to go to direct actions and the idea of ever having enough money to financially support a given campaign is laughable at best. But I do believe that every little bit helps. Yes, it is difficult to stand for justice because the opposition is so overwhelming and because usually any move towards progress is buried, usually by the media. But I also believe that this system that so badly needs a revamp is designed to make people feel powerless, and I might not have much, but I have my beliefs, and I have my actions. I think if you care about something, no effort is too small, though you may want to request a follow-up on the success of the petition or action.

[Maven]

You're welcome, bharani1008.