In the four years since the last presidential election, the Internet has come into its own. This can be seen in the importance of political web sites. They provide candidates, special interest groups and non-partisan organizations with a way to provide a more thoughtful campaign than the typical television sound byte.
Our national organization, the American Federation of Teachers (www.aft.org) has extensive coverage of federal election issues of concern to educators. Part of the AFT site (www.aft.org/election2000/) is intended for AFT members only and you will need to enter your name and affiliation with Local 795. You can find out more about why the AFT has endorsed Al Gore for President by comparing Bush and Gore on education (www.aft.org/election2000/materials/education.html)
Also check the AFT's rating (cw2k.capweb.net/aft/) of each U.S Senator and Representative on key votes of concern to teachers this year. Included is contact information and the ability to send a message to your representative..
Two Ohio Supreme Court Justices will be elected this year. By narrow margins, the current court has ruled in support of teachers and education on important issues such as school vouchers, constitutionality of school funding, and workers compensation. The OFT and CHTU are working to re-elect Justice Alice Robie Resnick (www.justiceresnick.org/) and elect Judge Tim Black (www.tim.black.org/) to replace an incumbent who consistently votes against us.
Another OFT supported candidate, Ted Celeste (www.celeste2000.com) is running for U.S. Senator. His site features what is claimed to be the first Internet only television commercial.
Beyond your vote, you can help you students make informed decisions by using some of the non-partisan web sites with your students.
The League of Women Voters (www.lwv.org) and its local affiliates publish voter guides: Cleveland Heights - University Heights LWV (www.chuh.net/lwv/), Cleveland LWV (www.nhlink.net/lwvcef/) and the Cuyahoga County LWV (www.lwvcc.org/). They also support The Democracy Network (www.dnet.org).
Community Advocates for Public Education - CAPE (www.chuh.net/cape/) has posted Candidate Interviews for State School Board, District 11, and Ohio House of Representatives, District 9. The CAPE Election Committee sat down with each candidate in an informal setting and asked them about their history, their goals, vouchers, charter schools, school funding, proficiency tests, and other subjects.
National Public Radio archives its election features (www.npr.org/news/national/election2000/). You can listen to reports you may have missed or search the transcripts in the Electric Library (www.chuh.org/resources/).
The Center for Responsive Politics (www.opensecrets.org/) tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy. The Center conducts computer-based research on campaign finance issues for the news media, academics, activists, and the public at large. The Center's work is aimed at creating a more educated voter, an involved citizenry, and a more responsive government.
Project Vote Smart (www.vote-smart.org/) attempts to have every candidate and elected official answer a common set of questions on issues. They have a number of teacher resources including an Introduction to U.S. Government (www.vote-smart.org/reference/primer/) that explains how a bill becomes a law.
Sites targeting youth include MTV's Choose or Lose (www.chooseorlose.com), the music industry's Rock the Vote (www.rockthevote.org), Youth in Action (www.youthlink.org) and Youth Vote 2000 Coalition (www.youthvote2000.org).