Even though we are over a year away from elections, I spent tonight making phone calls for Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel. He is one of my favorite politicians in Arkansas. He is a real down to earth person who knows how to get things done. I have yet to meet a person that he cannot make laugh.

Anyhow, never think that because it is an off election year that there is nothing to do in politics. There is always someone somewhere who is working on getting elected. If you’re lucky, you can find an amazing candidate to work with like I have!

Last weekend the Attorney General held his birthday fundraiser at several homes in central Arkansas. It was a beautiful day and made out for a beautiful event. I felt so privileged to be with him on such a special event in his life. He is young for the role he is in and is a great inspiration to young people! He isn’t even 40 yet, and he’s the Attorney General of Arkansas.

People often forget that politicians are real people too. They have families. They have tragedies. They go to the doctor. The only major difference is that their schedule may be a little tighter than most peoples! Respect your elected officials and remember they have personal lives too. They need time to take care of themselves. They do after all spend most of their time serving all of us.

(I thought the above picture was apporiate.  It was taken during Democratic Women's Legislative Day at the capitol in the Treasurer's Vault.  If only fundraising were that easy!)

At the young democrat convention, the Lt. Governor's Chief of Staff gave a wonderful training on fundraising and I'd like to share some of the things I learned.

When fundraising for a campaign, a candidate's job is to fundraise. Before ever working on any campaign, remember a candidate has 3 jobs: ask for money, ask for votes, and know the issues. A student cannot say,"Well, I'll only do 2/3 of my homework." Likewise, acandidatemust be willing to do 1/3 of their job - ask for money.

It is important that candidates makeappearancesat events, and even host their own events, but this should come afterasking for money.A candidate should spend 25-35 hours a week asking for money.Sending letters asking for money usually ends up costing more than you make. Want money and want it fast? Just ask. Asking in person offers you the biggest chance. If you cannot ask in person, there is still a greater chance of obtaining a pledge on the phone than through a letter.

This proves difficult for judicial candidates, as they are not permited to ask for money. Judicial Candidates must create a finance committee and their finance committee's job is to ask for money. It is best to have a judicial candidate call or speak with someone, then as soon as possible, the same day or the following day, have a member of their finance committee call that person. Keep in mind that many people do not know the restrictions of a judicial candidate. It is important to explian this restriction to potential donors so they don't think a candidate simply didn't feel comfortale asking for money themselves.

Now, go raise some money!

We had our annual Young Democrats of Arkansas Convention last weekend. It was the longest convention ever. Usually our conventions are romotely small, attacting about 100 people. This year around 300 showed up because of the contested YDAR Race. The race ended up being a landfall and we elected some great new officers to lead Arkansas.

I would highly reccomend contacting your local young political groups to get involved; however, there are some activities they are only for those 21 and older, so just ask the leadership to see what events are apporiate for someone to attend.

This year Governor Mike Beebe, Lt. Governor Bill Halter, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel, Land Commisioner Mark Wilcox, and many future candidates. All of them were seeking help with their upcoming campaigns, which is another great reason to attend. I spoke with the Attorney General about working with his team on hisreelcetion campaign, and have since helped with a fundraiser. The I also spoke with another candidate who I have since interviewed for a summer position with.

Conventions are a great place to meet current elected officials, future candidates, and other people your age who are passionate about government.Find a convention near you and go!

(Below: Me in front of the beatiful Arkanasas State Capitol where many great leaders work.  We were lucky to get to hold our annual convention here again, within walking distance from the Democratic Headquarters, where we conviently had lunch.)

(Above is a picture of Shana and Me at a Jay Barth for Senate Kick-off fundraiser in Little Rock.  It was a great event that raised lots of money!  If you want to work at a fundraiser, just contact the candidate and tell them you'd like to volunteer.  They'd be thrilled to have your help!  That's what I did with Jay!)

Despite the economy being a wreck and millions loosing their jobs. My local school district felt it necessary to raise the millage. That’s right MORE TAXES. Why? Improvements to the high school campus, including a security fence, awnings, a new office for the principal, etc. . . Additions at the other schools include play ground equipment. When I received a post card in the mail, I thought it was a complete joke. A security fence? I believe the security fence we have at our border is a lot more advanced than any fence a school could build. Not to mention, there are guards paid $70,000 a year to guard the fence at the border, but yet quite a few manage to get through that. The down part to every fence is the fact that every fence comes with a gate. It is a complete joke to waste money on something as frivolous as a fence. The only thing this will do is trap students IN the school when there is a real emergency. Although covered pathways would be nice on rainy days, umbrellas would be a much cheaper solution to this problem. As for a new principal’s office, the principal’s office is big enough to substitute for a small class room. His advancement of the millage cannot be viewed as unbiased. Children can learn how to play without playground equipment when the country is in a recession. It will help them build a better imagination. Fight hard. You can prevent similar things from happening in your community. With a little bit of campaigning, I could have prevented this horrible tax increase.

They have been many news stories in my life that I’ve been surprised to see. This one, however, is so shocking that I could not have written a mad libs story as out odd.

In Warsaw , Poland one conservative congressman was infuriated when he discovered that a new male elephant at a local zoo appeared to have Gay tendencies. Local Conservative Congressman Michal Grzes strongly objects to allowing this to go on.

Homosexuality is a topic I’ve tried to avoid on my blog. I believe in freedom, up to the point that it harms no one. Regardless of my belief, people do have the ability to control and oppress other people. They use this oppression in order to scare those with beliefs that differ than their own in attempt to alter the beliefs of people with un-similar ones. I’m not saying that ability to oppress or control is morally right. I’m simply acknowledging that it exists. People do not, however, have the ability to punish or oppress animals who sexuality they do not agree with.

First of all, it is pretty hard to discover which sex an animals prefers. One cannot ask an animal if they like males or females. Granted, one can observe; but, like the saying goes, “things are not always as they appear.”

Ironic that, out of all animals, an elephant is the subject of the story.

    I met this little guy at a tourist stop on the way to the DNC and always knew it would end up being a comical picture.