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Scientific Method: A Blueprint for Policy Development

We all sat through the science classes in junior high, middle school and high school. The scientific method was taught and we thought, “Here is another thing to memorize and never use again.” Much like many school lessons, this actually gave us a blueprint to think and problem solve. This can also give us an approach on how to develop policies.

  • Ask Question – This has to be identifying a problem. It is not a possible solution but a recognition of the problem. Don’t worry, we’ll get to the problem solving.

  • Background Research – Facts, Facts, Facts. This is the step where research is the key. The more information the better to create the next step.

  • Construct Hypothesis – The creation of a plan. Here is your idea on how to fix the problem that you have identified. No idea is too farfetched.

  • Test Hypothesis – This would be in science class where you hit the lab. In our process, we have a group of intelligent, honest people who can gave honest input on the hypothesis. You want to know the positive aspects of the hypothesis and even more importantly the flaws. Take copious notes so nothing gets missed.

  • Analyze Data – Review the notes from the previous step. Look for adjustments that can be made.

  • Share Results – Share the results with your group from the Test Hypothesis step. See what further feedback you can get.

There may be a few returns to step 3 to produce a strong solution. This will allow for a greater chance of success. The key is to get honest input and people willing to view things analytically.

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Focus on the Person Not the Position

Too often voters feel ignored. They have someone come to their door looking for their vote, yet that person doesn’t feel listened to. They feel like the candidate has someplace else to be or is just going their their lines. Does a candidate really expect a person’s vote if they don’t focus on them?

Candidates are only human. They have a lot on their plates but they need to manage that to be able to focus on the voters who ultimately control their political future. Most people are just looking to put a face to the name, but there are voters who want to discuss an issue important to them. If a voter is particularly passionate about an issue, they usually have a network of like minded people in the community. Listening to their views can often lead to a larger volume of support. People who are issue minded are also more likely to make their voices heard on election day with their vote.

Some tips and advice

  • Don’t look beyond the person in front of you- Listen, take notes, ask questions, show real interest. They may be able to educate you on their focused issue. Get their contact information to follow up.
  • Don’t look at your watch- Once you look at your watch, people know that you are not engaged. If time is that much of a concern, you scheduling is poor. When you are knocking on doors take your time and get to know the voters.
  • The next person may not be the best person- The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
  • You meet the same people going up as you do going down- My grandfather used to say this. Win or lose, this is your community. Do you want to be know as a glad hander or a stand up person.

A candidate needs to concentrate on people. You are asking people for the privilege of being their voice in government. Focus on them.

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One Size Does Not Fit All

One size does not fit all, one idea does not fix everything.

Simple concepts that are being ignored in today’s political landscape. Politicians are looking for the one issue that will appeal to all voters. They are accepting the premise that only one issue that may not even being focused on the community may dictate election results. People think their elected officials have the answer to everything. No one is infallible.

Each community has different challenges. What may appeal to voters in one district will not in another, many times even across a town. Candidates should speak to issues that impact their community. While it may seem by reading social media and talking to people that everyone is discussing issues beyond a candidate’s control, a candidate who focuses on their district will make the biggest difference.

Additionally, it is easy to get caught up in theoretical conversations that have the ability to alienate people. When running for an office like City Council, a discussion about the federal deficit is not fruitful and can be off putting. Discussing crumbling curbstones in a neighborhood is showing awareness and concern. Voters want someone who is engaged with the area not someone who just sits and reads about large scale issues unrelated to the office they seek.

Be present in your community if you want to run for office. Notice things, speak on local issues. you may need to point out issue to the community but that will show people that you want to advocate for them. Local politics involves local issues, voters will appreciate your concern and connection to the community.

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Finding Empathy

Politics has become a bitter, contentious fight. Social media is a battleground. Neighbors ignore each other because of the candidates they support. People are angry all the time discussing issues.

In local politics, making personal connections is the way to get elected. The problem is when neighbors fail to talk how can you build a coalition for victory. The current climate stands in the way of building any consensus. How can you communicate with people when the yelling is the only thing going on?

There is a great book by a sociologist named Arlie Hochschild called Strangers in Their Own Land. Hochschild is a liberal from Berkeley. She does not hide her political views. Hochschild immersed herself in Louisiana conservative politics for five years. Her belief is that there is an ’empathy wall’ that makes it next to impossible for people to be able to communicate across political lines.

A first step to finding empathy is to ask questions. To come in all hot with statements does not enable you to understand where a person is coming from. The ability to listen to a person’s beliefs and then ask more non judgmental questions will help make a connection. You want to understand what make a person to be so firm in their convictions. Hochschild uses this to understand where people are coming from and she uses that to also calmly point out her views and ideas.

Empathy is an important way to connect with voters. Empathy is missing from today’s political scene and is much needed. Start with listening, then questioning and then you can break down the ’empathy wall’. A great way to start is by reading Arlie Hochschild’s book and here is a link to purchase it.

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Ballot Moving Issue

When a candidate meets a voter, sometimes the voter wants to discuss one particular issue. It can be an issue that does not pertain to the office the candidate is seeking. This type of voter decides how they will voter on the candidate’s ideas and beliefs on that one issue. This is a ballot moving issue.

There are a few ballot moving issues and they can include:

  • Abortion
  • Gun Control
  • Equal Rights
  • Gay Marriage
  • Universal Healthcare
  • Immigration
  • Defense

While campaigning for a seat on the local school board, a candidate may not expect a question on universal healthcare. It may happen and it has happened. While it may not make sense, the issue that the voter focuses on is the most important to them and will impact their vote. Many times, these voters are extremely well versed on the issue from their point of view. They will want to go into a lengthy debate and demonstrate their knowledge. People will even vote against their self interests in order to support a candidate who shares the views on that one key issue.

ADVICE

Don’t get drawn into a long drawn out debate on the issue. This will take time away from meeting and connecting with other voters. If your views on the issue don’t align with that voter, you won’t get their vote. Be gracious and say, “Sorry we disagree but I will be effective representing you and you can always call me.”

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All Politics is Local

There is a classic quote about politics. The late Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Tip O’Neill said, “All politics is local.” Despite this brilliant quote, local politics are generally ignored or minimized. Yet issues that local government handles, have a great impact on everyday life.

People tend to focus on politicians and issues on a national level. That is what you see all over social media. Political parties support and help build national candidates and ignore municipal candidates. The resources of the national political parties do not go down to local candidates. Nor do the major political parties pay much attention to local candidates.

Part of the issue is that local politics is connecting to individual voters. National parties want to tailor messages to reach a wide array of voters. The one on one meetings are something that national parties want to avoid since their feeling is that it is too expensive for them. Instead the focus turns to larger issues that the media also focuses on. This allows marketing to go to a larger cross section of voters. The voters, in turn, see these issues and focus on them also. The parties help to create the focus on issues that will enable them to attract voters on a large scale.

What do people deal with daily on a local level? How about potholes? Potholes can impact a person in a number of ways. The pothole could destroy a tire adding an unexpected expense or maybe it is more insidious. It could just put your car out of alignment causing faster wear on your tires and lower gas mileage. This can have an impact on your budget. So should that be a focus when people go to vote. Should they look for a candidate that puts road maintenance as a priority? What about local education, rubbish removal, snow plowing and more? This does not even include the importance of police and fire protection that municipalities are responsible for in most cases. These are important issues that deserve attention. When people see piles of garbage in a neighboring lot, they don’t call their U.S. Senator, they call their city or town council person. So it seems important that these are important positions that require important and serious people.

Decisions made in town halls have an impact on people’s lives. Not just city and town employees but the people living on Elm Street. The local elected officials deal with multi million dollar budgets and contracts yet on election day they tend to be an afterthought in the whole electoral process. The local level is where governing happens, decisions are made and lives are impacted. This is also where your elected officials are the most accessible and relatable, you’ll see them at the supermarket or the baseball field. What affects you will be affecting them also. It is time that people and the political parties take interest in local politics, it is in their best interests.

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Welcome To The Ignite Blog!

What we’ll do here is talk about running for political office, discuss ideas, profile people and learn about making connections with voters.

What we won’t do here is argue and name call.

Politics has become jaded and personal. Ignite wants to help change the conversation back to issues and finding solutions. Fixing the discussion and our communities is something anyone can do, we can help.

If there is a question or topic that you would like to see discussed, email us!