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| | There is no "free lunch." Participation in the political process is like exercise or other forms of self-improvement. One needs to find a way to enjoy it. | | There is no "free lunch." Participation in the political process is like exercise or other forms of self-improvement. One needs to find a way to enjoy it. |
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| − | Participating in the political by "playing on a team" is beneficial by: | + | Participating in the political process by "playing on a team" is beneficial both to the individual and to the nation: |
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| − | *like playing on a sports team, it's a healthy activity that creates a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment | + | *like playing on a sports team, it's a healthy activity that instills a spirit of camaraderie, competitiveness and achievement |
| | *like playing on a sports team, the strategy is fascinating and is helpful to understanding the game | | *like playing on a sports team, the strategy is fascinating and is helpful to understanding the game |
| | *one side ''will'' win, and it's important to work against the triumph of bad ideas and hurtful policies | | *one side ''will'' win, and it's important to work against the triumph of bad ideas and hurtful policies |
| − | *contacts are created in political activities that are helpful in business and social activities | + | *contacts are created in political activities that are helpful in making new friends and meeting people; often volunteering for political activities leads to good job offers, as when one congressman recently offered a job to a volunteer he saw attending a conference |
| | *skills learned in politics, such as dealing with people, are invaluable in other walks of life | | *skills learned in politics, such as dealing with people, are invaluable in other walks of life |
| − | *George Orwell said that "all issues are political issues," political changes affect how many people become or remain Christians | + | *George Orwell said that "all issues are political issues"; political changes affect how many people become or remain Christians |
| − | *the political process determines pro-life issues; Poland reduced its number of abortions by 99% when it changed its political system away from communism in the 1990s | + | *the political process decides pro-life issues; Poland reduced its number of abortions by 99% when it changed its political system away from communism in the 1990s |
| − | *the alternatives to participating in politics can be hurtful, such as getting fact, becoming addicted to video games, or mental decline | + | *the alternatives to participating in politics can be hurtful, such as getting fat, becoming addicted to video games, or mental decline |
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| | == "Midterm" Elections == | | == "Midterm" Elections == |