A lot of people in small town Los Alamos are educated and active. My circle of friends work on issues that support the environment from banning the single-use-plastic-shopping bag (it's been four years of...shall we say....educating the citizenry...? Yes, opponents still claim that if we take away their bags, we'll take away their guns and before they let that happen, the "Save-the-Bag-Los-Alamos" folks threaten a standoff with the local government--no, I am NOT kidding!) to protecting wildlands  and our myriad wildlife (Sierra Club, the Nature Center, preschools, and the schools have educational "Bear Aware" events throughout the summer, and the County has a few bear-proof garbage cans available because a "fed bear is a dead bear"), to canvassing for candidates who share our values (the other party doesn't have anybody out door knocking).  

During this election cycle I wrote eight  letters-to-the-editor (only three were published even though they were irrefutable and succinct), canvassed neighborhoods from the primaries through last weekend, contributed money, attended rallies, helped organize the League of Women Voters forums (we have a super powerful and engaged LWV).  

I've commented on many of the latest NEPA processes that propose to decrease or even eliminate wilderness standing for public lands, and on oil-and-gas and water issues.  Even though our State and National leadership say they don't pay much attention to petitions (if that's the only thing you're doing?  It's not enough), I still sign.  (It's better, though, to write or call our legislators directly.) 

I attend our Zero Waste Team meetings (I'm a member of the team, but haven't contributed nearly enough to be called even a participant!), and help with the brilliant Los Alamos High School Environment Club.  Along with an influential political team, we interviewed candidates state-wide about their environmental issues, discussed their qualifications, and then chose whom to endorse.  

But here's the thing.  I'm elderly, and neglect to post on social media.  So all the stuff we do as members of teams doesn't get any credit.  But I wanted you to know--we're out here.  Many of us are working (WTF--I cannot BELIEVE how my generation screwed up!), we're trying to fix things (sorry younger generations!), and we want to thank every single person every where in the world who's doing the same.

In the state of NM, the last day to register to vote is Tues., 10/09. We need to help people know when to register and when to start voting.  Also when someone comes campaigning at your door, in a forum, at the coffee shop, pay attention no matter what the political party. Ask questions. Discuss your values. Let each candidate or party representative know about reducing plastic waste, increasing renewable energy, preserving public lands and open space.  Let each candidate know your values because we never know who might be elected, and we need to inform each candidate as to  how to represent us.

Here's a letter to the editor from 9-11: https://ladailypost.com/content/benson-every-day-9-11

I'm doing multiple challenges, but right now we're working on politics--door knocking and phone calling for my political values.

The links to govtrack and makeitpersonal are useful and important information for activists.