Search Form
First, enter a politician or zip code ▶
Now, choose a category ▶

Media

Blog

The Voter’s Speakeasy featuring unbiased reporting and insight into life at Vote Smart from our staff, interns, and volunteers.

March Common Ground E-Newsletter

2012 March 15




"Because it matters." 

I'm Fran Gardner a semi-retired journalist from Portland, Oregon. This past year, I  spent two-weeks in the Montana Rockies as a member volunteer for Project Vote Smart. Each year, I and other volunteers, young and old and in between, spend long days researching what candidates at the national and state-level say, how they vote on key legislation, where they stand on major issues facing the nation, and so much more.

Why do I do it? Because it matters.  

Vote Smart will be the first to tell you their research efforts are anything but glamorous, but it does help to know that this work is vital. And, frankly, the setting more than makes up for it. When I look up from my desk, I see mountainsides cloaked with tall, proud evergreens. Sunlight plays through the shivering leaves of the aspens planted just outside. This past year, a moose family complete with a youngster has been spotted on the banks of nearby Moose Lake. Even the food served in the dining lodge is something to write home about.  

But the best part of it all is the sure understanding that what I do makes a difference. That if it weren’t for me—and others like me—something unique, precious, and irreplaceable would be lost.  

Information, at least unbiased information, has become an endangered species, and the Republic will be in real danger when it disappears entirely. The change won’t be immediate. It’ll creep up on us ...

Read More

Tags

More Posts

Going for broke: could GOP convention elect nominee?

2012 March 05

What if, following Super Tuesday, all four GOP candidates are still in the game and no clear frontrunner has emerged? 

2009 Spending/Tax/Bonds Ballot Measures: Reviews and Results

2009 November 14 - Stefan

2009 Environment/Energy Ballot Measures: Summary and Results

2009 November 13 - Stefan

Review of 2009 Ballot Measures: Housing/Property Follow-up

2009 November 13 - Stefan

Maine Medical Marijuana Ballot Measure: Summary and Results

2009 November 12 - Stefan

Review of 2009 Ohio Ballot Measures: Livestock Care Standards Follow-up

2009 November 11 - Stefan

2009 Ohio Gaming Ballot Measure Follow-up

2009 November 11 - Stefan

Review of 2009 Ballot Measures: Inmate Labor Follow-up

2009 November 10 - Stefan

Review of 2009 Ballot Measures: Education - Follow-up

2009 November 10 - Stefan

Skip to top

Help us stay free for all your Fellow Americans

Just $5 from everyone reading this would do it.

1
Select an amount
2
How often
3
Payment details

Thank You!

You are about to be redirected to a secure checkout page.

Please note:

The total order amount will read $0.01. This is a card processor fee. Please know that a recurring donation of the amount and frequency that you selected will be processed and initiated tomorrow. You may see a one-time charge of $0.01 on your statement.

Continue to secure page »

1
Select an amount
2
How often
3
Payment details
Back to top