Should a travel blog be used to engage readers in the political process? Christopher Elliott presented during The Travel Bloggers Show in Orlando last weekend and said something to the effect of it is the blogger’s responsibility to encourage readers to participate in the democratic process and specifically, to get them to vote.
He didn’t say to blog about your political beliefs but I thought it was interesting he said it was our responsibility to get people involved in democracy since he was adressing travel bloggers. I rarely think of travel and politics sharing the same bed but shame on me because he’s right.
Travel is impacted by government politics daily and it’s important for voters to know facts about issues in order to make an educated vote.
Because of politics we still have the U.S. travel ban to Cuba. My day job is solely dependent on bed tax collections and it’s a constant education of elected officials and citizens as to why tourism is important for the economy (tourism generates jobs, for every 85 visitors to Florida, one job is maintained!)
It’s only recently that the United States of America (March 2010) has a promotional plan to attract international visitors through the U.S. Travel Promotions Program. (Thank you President Obama for signing it into law!)
So what’s the point of this post?
Well, it’s a post to encourage you and others to head to D.C. with me and a million others on Oct. 30 for the Rally to Restore Sanity hosted by Jon Stewart of the Daily Show. Don’t worry, a million people in D.C. at once isn’t a big deal. Remember, I attended Obama’s inauguration and there were something like 1.8 million people.
What’s the Rally to Restore Sanity about? Well, it’s not a Tea Party nor is it like Glenn Beck’s Restoring Honor rally [disclosure: Rob Smith Jr., the artist who drew my caricature for this blog is a cartoonist for Beck].
There will be no yelling, everyone needs to bring their indoor voices. There will be no name calling – Bush is not the Devil. Obama is not Hitler. It should be a reasonable gathering of everyday people who don’t have time to attend multiple rallies.
If you’re fed up with and sick of (like me) the name calling, the fear, the conspiracy plots, the pointing fingers, and being called un-American because you’re not part of the Tea Party movement then Rally to Restore Sanity is for you! It’s for the average American so come along. Join in the sanity. Participate in the sarcasm. Should be a grand time.
Now, I need to get the creative juices flowing in making a good sign or two.
“I”m not a fan of mosquitoes.”
A friend suggested:
“I have my Country’s back.”
and
“THE END IS…probably pretty far away.”
So, will you be in D.C. to Restore Sanity?
I like the last one, THE END IS…
WIll you be blogging live or tweeting? What’s the hashtag?
Yes, I’ll definitely be tweeting – need to find out what the hashtag is. During the inauguration had problems with cell service but don’t think I’ll have that problem. So many people were trying to tweet and call, lines were jammed. Only issue I’ll have this go around is the iPhone’s juice doesn’t last very long. I hope to blog that night then after I get back – although it takes me a bit to get caught up with the blogging, video and photos 🙂