Lobbying on behalf of Humanist principles

RECAP – March meeting CDHS

by Tiya Madden

Politics is too serious to be left to the politicians - Charles DeGaulle.

Dr. Tim Gordinier, IHS, Director of Public Policy, spoke at the March meeting on Lobbying and Humanism. He began by summarizing important recent and pending cases including the California Supreme Court ruling obligating religious hospitals to maintain the same emergency services as secular hospitals, the Davey vs. Locke decision that a state is not required to subsidize a theology degree if their constitution prohibits it, and the pending Newdow Pledge-of-Allegiance case. Gordinier also discussed the various methods of political activism along with the different types of lobbying and their effects and then the issues that the IHS lobbies for.

Ways to be politically active, or "Power Politics", include:

Protest politics: Legal methods include marches and demonstrations while illegal methods include nonviolent civil disobedience, such as sit-ins, etc. The weaknesses of this approach are that it can be hard to sustain and the audience may get compassion fatigue. Consequently, one has to reserve this approach for clear-cut cases of injustice. There is the potential for backlash, so you have to choose the right time and place to act and utilize the normal channels.

Campaign politics: This can be challenging. Not-for-profits (501c3) are forbidden from becoming partisan (i.e. endorsing a candidate). The opposition often has more money, and taking sides in campaigns can run the risk of splitting support in your organization. Also, there is no guarantee that the officials you support will eventually take the actions you want.

Judicial Politics: To quote Gordinier: "while some people might regard these two words as an oxymoron, many on both sides of the political spectrum have, over the course of history, accused judges of substituting their own personal or political proclivities for legal standards. Roe v. Wade and Brown v. Board of Education were regarded at the time they were decided as being "political," but most people today accept these progressive rulings today as good law." Right now, progressive forces face much difficulty advancing their agenda. Not only are there few favorable landmark decisions likely to come our way, but in the current situation, we are experiencing a regression in terms of progressive rulings.

More persuasive types of political action include:

The "good citizen" model: This approach includes attending town meetings, voter registration drives, and writing letters to the editor. The limitations are that it can be too polite and not pushy enough in terms of accomplishing an agenda.

Media/PR

Grassroots Lobbying: This involves talking to a mass audience and includes a combination of the "good citizen" and "Media/PR" model.

Direct Lobbying: Lobbying (which got its name from the practice of approaching Ulysses S Grant in order to push an agenda as he was in the lobby) is an attempt by an organization to directly influence legislation in face-to-face meetings with public officials including staff and executive agencies. Often it is combined with grassroots lobbying. Lobbying is protected by the right to petition and assemble. However, it is heavily regulated. There are rules against "revolving door" actions in which officials leave public office and then earn large sums of money to immediately come back as lobbyists. Also, Not-For-Profits – religious groups, charities, etc. –are limited to 5% of lobbying. However, social welfare organizations, 501(c)4s, can do a lot of lobbying. Tax exemptions are involved. Registration and reporting requirements are strict and reports need to be filed every two months.

How to influence legislation: Take advantage of coinciding interests (no need to visit them often, but fence-sitters need more frequent attention) Self-interest: officials will support your agenda if it helps them stay elected. Be big and powerful. Work with allies. Do the legislators’ work for them, such as provide help to write the laws and advise on constitutionality. Demonstrate you have a sizable and active constituency (this is a good tactic when the others fail. If the officials receive 10-15 letters, they start taking notice).

Challenges that Humanists face: The main problem is that politicians don't like to be seen with atheists. The IHS is working to educate elected officials so that they understand that freethinkers are ethical human beings.

Setting up includes: Agenda making: research issues(know pros and cons, appeal to them on their turf – i.e. appeal to conservatives that emergency contraception will reduce the number of abortions and save tax dollars) Target legislators: send out feelers to determine sources of support. Visits. Follow-up.

Do's: Have a presentation. Build trust (by providing information when requested and making sure things told in confidence stay that way). Have a unique angle. Research. Be polite

Don't: Overreach – a desired outcome can take many years

Advantages of Lobbying: It is relatively discreet. You will get better access than voting or protests. It is one-on-one. It is a good way to meet contacts. Money is not always a factor – passion and staying power works too.

Over the long haul: It's good to remember Mark Twain's words: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog". Even though it is discouraging when the opposition has enormous financial resources, one must put in the fight anyway, and be willing to continue the fight when it comes back again. You do this by:

Maintaining contacts, constant massaging, creating a database, keeping your expectations realistic, staying motivated.

The IHS lobbying philosophy: IHS gets involved in an issue if religion or superstition is having an undue influence on legislation.

IHS is working on:

Repealing Penal Law 260.15, which is a religious exemption eliminating the punishment for child neglect. Under this law, if a parent can offer a religious rationale for not seeking hospital care for their child, they may escape punishment if no permanent harm comes to the child.

Clergy Notification Bill. Lobbying to support law that would require clergy members to report cases of suspected child abuse.

Death with dignity. Patients’ rights regarding end-of-life issues.

Women's reproductive choices. Can't be based on religious rationale. Many areas need improvement.

Gay rights.

Other church/state issues.