Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

[xiphias]

The Prop 2 1/2 override was defeated. Like, by a 2 to 1 margin.

So, this mean that our town will now lose hours on the library, some police protection, some fire protection, and a hell of a lot of schools.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Comments

[bluepapercup]

Damn.

I'm sorry.

[xiphias.livejournal.com]

I suspect folzgold is going to take it personally. He was more-or-less running large parts of the "Yes" campaign.

A 2-to-1 margin, though, means that either there was NO chance in hell, or that our entire strategy was flawed. And more the former than the latter. In either case, it's not folzgold's fault.

Re:

[bluepapercup]

Definitely definitely more the former. Most of the time, unfortunate as it may be, if the voting population is dominated by a politically active group that has an agenda, things will usually go their way.

I admire you for trying, you and everyone else I've been seeing post about this. *sigh* folzgold's been working hella hard from what I've seen, and yeah, it's something that's not easy to brush off. I think he'll get over it, but for now...man, what suck it is.

[papersky.livejournal.com]

How can you lose schools?

I mean, the kids have to get an education, right?

Surely?

As for your campaign, you were trying to argue using reason and logic and good sense and figures and facts, against people using emotion to appeal to greed.

(ObSillyThought: Funding schools and libraries with local taxes clearly doesn't work in Boston -- have you considered imposing a tariff on tea?)

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry.

FWIW, I'm even prouder of you than I was (and I didn't think that was possible) and I'm very proud of folzgold. You are two impressive men I'm honored to know. I figured I ought to tell you that.

[teddywolf.livejournal.com]

*shrug* I know how to run part of the campaign for the next time. Seriously.

Get some signs - billboards, bumper stickers, pamphlets, what-have-you - that proudly proclaim what the *effects* are before you proclaim what to vote for. Most people respond more to emotion than logic.

I know you guys started with, Vote For the Prop 2 1/2 override and launched into the reasons why - the consequences. It's a standard tactic, it's great for a small living room chat, and it's totally the wrong way to reach a big mass o people.

Instead, have leaflets that say things like:


* Do you want fewer police protecting you at night?
* Do you want the fire department to take longer rescuing you from your burning home?
* Do you want your kids and your neighbor's kids unable to get into the college of their choice?
* Do you want the potholes in the streets to stay where they are and get even bigger?
* Do you want the golf course to remain toxic?

If you said Yes to any of the above, then Stop the Prop 2 1/2 override!


Give it a shot - and have the people who do those things not ever be seen doing the other means of working for the Prop 2 1/2 override. I think you may see some strong results that you'd like that way.

I'll help if you'd like.

One problem with that tactic

[cheshyre]

If you read thru the letters in the Melrose Free Press, one of the main tactics of the Vote No people was to dismiss all the Vote Yes arguments as "scare tactics"
I think that's part of the reason Vote Yes was trying to present its arguments so straightforwardly.

Re: One problem with that tactic

[teddywolf.livejournal.com]

Thing is, I'm not suggesting getting rid of the straightforward argument.

I take it they suggested everything would be fine by "Look! A Monkey!" method?

Re: One problem with that tactic

[cheshyre]

I take it they suggested everything would be fine by "Look! A Monkey!" method?

Somewhat. More like -- everything is okay; they're just exaggerating the problems.