Michael Jai
Forum Replies Created
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Political calls ramp up big time during election season. These are often robocalls or live calls from campaign volunteers trying to spread their message, rally support, or remind people to vote. If you’ve registered to vote, signed a petition, or supported a candidate in the past, your number might’ve landed on a call list. It’s not always shady—just part of the political playbook.
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I keep This Is America by Childish Gambino on repeat. It’s haunting, it’s layered, and it hits on race, guns, violence—you name it. Perfect example of art that forces you to face uncomfortable truths.
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🟢 1. They Influence Major Party Platforms
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Third parties often introduce bold or emerging ideas that major parties later adopt to retain voters (e.g., minimum wage hikes, marijuana legalization, environmental reforms).
🔴 2. They Can Impact Election Outcomes
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In tight races, third-party candidates can draw enough votes to sway the outcome. This is often called the “spoiler effect.”
🟡 3. They Provide Alternatives and Encourage Civic Engagement
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Voters frustrated with the two-party system may feel more represented and engaged when third-party or independent options exist.
⚪ 4. They Highlight Systemic Barriers
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By struggling to get on ballots, into debates, or receive media coverage, third parties expose how much the current system favors Democrats and Republicans.
🟣 5. They Push for Electoral Reform
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Many advocate for things like ranked-choice voting or proportional representation to level the playing field, which could reduce the “wasted vote” fear.
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My kid tried this at 16. Some places welcomed them with open arms, others had strict 18+ policies. Liability is a big thing for shelters, so many have age limits unless there’s supervision. That said, volunteer roles—like cleaning, feeding, or even socializing animals—are often open to teens. Call ahead, ask questions, and be ready to do the not-so-glamorous tasks.
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When you’re in the war room on election night, you need a combination of services. Bloomberg’s terminal gives us the granular data breakdowns we need for real-time strategic decisions. But I always keep Decision Desk HQ open too – they’ve called several races first in recent cycles and their county-level analysis helps us spot trends in our target demographics.
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Dude, memes are like, the whole point! They’re how we get our news, basically. If a meme is funny and hits the right spot, it spreads like wildfire. It’s how you know what’s ‘trending’ politically, even if you don’t watch the news. It’s like, visual sound bites for politics.
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From a purely analytical perspective, the data suggests certain patterns. Studies sometimes indicate a slight correlation between higher IQ and specific political orientations. However, it’s crucial to understand that correlation doesn’t equal causation. We need to analyze the data within the context of other variables, like education level and information access. The real question is how we can use this information to create more equitable and informed political discourse, not to perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
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We really need to be careful with this. We’re a small organization, and every dollar counts. I’ve heard some of these software packages can be really expensive. Has anyone looked into open-source options or even just using a well-organized spreadsheet? We need to balance functionality with cost, and I’m worried about hidden fees. We need something that is easy to use for our volunteers.
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Donating to your own nonprofit? Seems a bit circular, doesn’t it? While technically allowed, it raises questions. Is it really philanthropy, or just moving money around? It might be better to focus on getting donations from other sources to demonstrate broader community support.
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Entry-Level Political Science Jobs
1. Research Assistant/Policy Analyst
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Description: Many political science grads start as research assistants or policy analysts at think tanks, research organizations, or advocacy groups. In these roles, you will assist with collecting data, writing reports, analyzing policies, and presenting findings.
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Key Skills: Analytical skills, research methods, and familiarity with political systems are essential for these positions.
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Typical Employers: Think tanks (like the Brookings Institution or Cato Institute), research organizations, and public policy firms.
2. Campaign Staffer
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Description: If you’re interested in the political process itself, working on a campaign is one of the most hands-on ways to get started. Campaign staff roles can range from communications assistants to field organizers to event coordinators. These positions involve a lot of grassroots work, like engaging with voters, organizing events, and handling social media.
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Key Skills: Good communication, organization, and enthusiasm for politics. Being flexible and willing to work long hours is a must.
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Typical Employers: Political campaigns, political action committees (PACs), and political consulting firms.
3. Legislative Assistant
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Description: If you want to work in government, you might consider starting as a legislative assistant in the office of an elected official. These roles involve a variety of tasks, from researching legislation to answering constituent queries, drafting letters, and organizing events.
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Key Skills: Writing, research, and an understanding of government procedures.
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Typical Employers: Congressional offices, state legislator offices, or local government offices.
4. Communications and Media Specialist
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Description: If you have a knack for storytelling and media, you might work as a communications assistant for a political party, advocacy group, or government agency. These jobs involve creating press releases, drafting speeches, managing social media accounts, and handling public relations efforts.
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Key Skills: Strong writing, social media management, and public speaking skills.
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Typical Employers: Political parties, advocacy groups, PR firms, government agencies.
5. Non-Profit Advocacy Roles
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Description: Many non-profits that focus on political advocacy or social issues are looking for entry-level staff to assist with outreach, fundraising, event planning, and research. Working for a non-profit in the political realm can provide hands-on experience in policy work, community engagement, and activism.
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Key Skills: Event planning, public relations, outreach strategies, and grassroots organizing.
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Typical Employers: Non-profit organizations focused on political or social change (e.g., ACLU, Human Rights Campaign, Sierra Club).
6. Government Jobs through the Pathways Program
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Description: The Pathways Program is a federal initiative designed for recent graduates to apply for full-time federal employment. This program offers internships and fellowships, which can lead to permanent positions in various federal agencies.
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Key Skills: Strong understanding of government functions, effective communication, and interest in public service.
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Typical Employers: U.S. federal government agencies, including the State Department, Department of Labor, and Department of Homeland Security.
7. Political Consultant Assistant
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Description: Political consulting firms often hire entry-level staff to assist with strategy, polling, and media buys. While these roles often require strong communication and organizational skills, they also provide insight into the mechanics of political campaigns and electoral strategy.
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Key Skills: Organizational skills, a deep understanding of political campaigns, and an ability to analyze polling data.
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Typical Employers: Political consulting firms, PACs, or other organizations focused on political strategy.
Final Thoughts:
While entry-level political science jobs may not always be the most glamorous, they offer invaluable experience and a great opportunity to learn about the political process, build a professional network, and gain skills that will serve you in your career. Whether you’re working in campaigns, government offices, or non-profit organizations, the political science field offers many paths that can lead to growth and long-term career success. Start small, be patient, and take advantage of every opportunity for experience!
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Best Political Science Schools in America (2025)
Here’s a breakdown of the top political science schools in the U.S. for 2025:
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Harvard University – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Offers an exceptional government department, strong political theory and policy programs, and unmatched networking opportunities in Washington, D.C. -
Stanford University – Stanford, California
Known for its interdisciplinary approach to political science, with a focus on political economy and international relations. -
Yale University – New Haven, Connecticut
Focuses on political theory and political philosophy, with a renowned faculty and close ties to Yale Law School. -
Georgetown University – Washington, D.C.
Specializes in foreign policy, international relations, and political diplomacy. Its D.C. location offers unique access to key political institutions. -
University of Chicago – Chicago, Illinois
Strong in political theory and quantitative methods, with a focus on empirical research and political economy. -
Princeton University – Princeton, New Jersey
A small, prestigious university with a focus on political theory and governance. Offers close interaction with professors and strong academic rigor. -
University of California, Berkeley – Berkeley, California
Known for its diverse approach to political science, with strengths in American politics, political theory, and social movements. -
University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, Michigan
Offers a well-rounded political science program, with an emphasis on public policy and research opportunities.
These schools are the best for students looking to dive deep into political science, with each offering unique strengths in different areas of the field.
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Politics is a serious game, but sometimes these comedians show us the absurdity behind it all. The best political humor makes you think, even if it’s wrapped in sarcasm and satire. Here’s my list:
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John Oliver – He digs deep into topics, making complex issues accessible and hilarious.
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Stephen Colbert – Master of blending satire with truth, especially during political seasons.
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Trevor Noah – His take on global politics is refreshing, and he combines humor with perspective.
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Samantha Bee – A sharp and fearless voice in political comedy, especially with her takes on gender and politics.
Bill Maher – Controversial but undeniably influential with his no-holds-barred humor on political issues. They’re good, but they make you wonder how much of what’s happening is even real.
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Hey all, I’m Mike. I work as a Lab Tech in Quakertown, PA. Excited to be a part of this community
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At least for now, we’re close to TikTok getting ousted form the US entirely so I’m not sure if this app is going to make any difference. But from a campaigners point of view, I believe candidates still might just use the app to connect with voters.
AOC, Buttigieg and others are examples of using social media to show a more casual side of their lives. Biden did something similar too and has over millions of views.
Not sure if there’s going to be a massive impact on the way people campaign, but as a new social channel that the youth would definitely get on, candidates just might add this to their arsenal.
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This might just blow up on their face. They’re trying to present it like only white men are “worthy” or have the skills for any jobs. Did you forget who lead the country and did so real well for 2 terms after 2009?
