Should I join the Jaycees

[u2spirit]

My wife's co worker has asked her and I to join the Jaycees. I'm not particularly interested but I'd like to ask DU for pros and cons. Is it pro rethug? Does anyone have personal stories about the group? I respect Du'ers opinions and welcome them.

Thanks

[crispini]

1. I must admit, I don't know anything about the Jaycees

as an organization, but I do think that we as Democrats need to do more of what the Republicans do -- join and participate in as many local organizations as possible, build our personal networks, open a dialog with lots of different people. Longterm stuff. Then, when election year rolls around, you'll be in a much better position to pull the amenable ones into some political action or volunteering, and, having already built those social ties, the swing voters are going to be much more likely to listen to you.

That's why I do volunteer stuff for the HOA, LWV, etcetera.

Now, the Jaycees in particular may not be for you, but I certainly think joining *something* is a very good idea.

[merh]

2. Yes, by all means. Join any and all service organizations that you

can in your community. This is how the repugs are able to recruit loyal supporters. They have infiltrated organizations like the Jaycees, the Rotary Clubs, the Chambers of Commerce, the Lions Clubs, et cetera and they serve their kool aid. This is where they get a lot of their grass roots support. We dems need to be civic minded and join these type of clubs. We have to keep a balance of ideas and debunk the lies.

IMHO.

[SmokingJacket]

3. Good point!!! nt

[seabeyond]

4. in the panhandle of texas repug, but that is what the general

public is here. by far. my husband did it half a decade ago. it was very good for him. this program here was anyway. gave him opportunity to see a lot of things in the works here in amarillo and get to know a lot of people and network. a positive experience for him. not really about politics, it is about getting to know your community and being a part of it

amarillo anyway

[merh]

5. They don't necessarily discuss politics here. They just promote

the rethug agenda - tax cuts, tort reform, less government interference in businesses, et cetera. Once they get through with their seminars and conferences and speakers that tell their members how important it is that we return to a society that cherishes "family values" and how it is that liberal ideas harm them (the curse of television, movies, sex and violence, etc); how we need to have less government interference in our lives and less taxes and less reliance on the government, the members are primed to accept the distorted message of the rethugs and see liberals as the enemy.

[bdot]

6. I love the Jaycees!

I have been in the Raleigh jaycees since '99. The group here is wonderful. It's the only place I have evern been able to go where everyone actually knows my name... like Cheers. ;)
If you like community service, they have it. If you like running projects, they have it. If you like social events (parties and trips), they have it. I'm extremely anti-social and even I find a way to fit in the large group. ;)

The groups here have no connection with politics.