CHAPTER 11 HOW THE POLITICAL PROCESS WORKS AND HOW ONE CAN GET INVOLVED

• Jurisdiction: United States

Land and Permitting
(Jan 1994)
CHAPTER 11
HOW THE POLITICAL PROCESS WORKS AND HOW ONE CAN GET INVOLVED
Joseph L. Danni
Placer Dome (U.S.) Inc.
San Francisco, California

Good afternoon, and thank you for making me part of your program.

First, I have two confessions to make. The title of this presentation was selected long before I became a substitute presenter. Therefore, with all humility I must tell you that I am still learning how the political process works and uncovering new lessons every day. As to how to get involved — I subscribe to the school that says: "Creativity is fine but plagiarism is faster." By that I mean very little about political involvement requires special creativity or unique approaches and very much revolves around hard work, perseverance and commitment.

The second confession is that I believe in the political process as practiced in this country. Horace Mann, an early nineteenth century educator and political activist was quoted as saying: "We go by the major vote, and if the majority are insane, the sane must go to the hospital." An equally astute political observer, Groucho Marx, once said: "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying all the wrong remedies." Within these two observations is guidance for anyone who aspires to participate in the political process. Make your way with a sense of humor and an appreciation that your views, no matter how strongly held, will from time to time fall on deaf ears.

All too often industry, and the mining industry is no exception, has tended to confuse education with political activism. Educating voters and students about the importance of what you do and how you do it is an important part of the process. But it does not necessarily translate into political acceptance. Let me quote from a dissertation on politics and demographics of about five years ago.

"The average American voter is 45. She is a Caucasian female who likes red as a color and lilac as a scent. Her major interests are self-preservation, love and financial security. In terms of belonging, she is an American first, a Nebraskan (or Californian, Coloradan, etc.) second and a member of an ethnic or self-interest group third. Then deep down on the list of belonging, she is either a Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Party affiliation is one of the least important matters in her life ... She thinks she is slightly more conservative than liberal, and...