About ChangeRootsThe Game to End Toxic PartisanshipApp launching soon...Our movement to end toxic partisanship is about to get a precision laser.ChangeRootsCR5_0300946a-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea00Jake SandlerJake Sandler is CEO and cofounder of ChangeRoots.Kylie BergerContent Relationship Manager_0300964a-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea00To end toxic partisanship_03009744-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea00PoliticsSmall steps add up ... Politics is simply the name for how we – as a country – try to take into account the opinions of over 300 million people. Looking at the United States from that vantage, it’s pretty bananas we’re able to get anything done.UnderstandingIf we each take a little time to understand what we want a bit better, life can get better for all of us.InfluenceRemember, you have influence, you just need to claim it.ScoringScore partisan actions._030099c4-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea001We use social science and public data to score partisan actions._03009abe-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea00Micro-DonationsEmpower Millennials to wield micro donations as positive and negative reinforcement for politicians._03009b90-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea002Millennials... deep thinkers are more likely to be blind partisans, fundamental differences in values lead liberals and conservatives to judge each other, we could see record voter turnout in 2020 and younger Americans are voting at the highest rates in decades.PoliticiansYou use micro-donations to reward healthy partisanship.UnderstandingUnderstand toxic partisanship._03009d20-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea002.1There’s nothing inherently bad about being a proud Democrat or Republican. However, it can quickly become damaging when people consider those in the other party to be their enemy. Learning more about how we became so partisan and what forces make us feel that way gives you the skills to prevent yourself and others from becoming dangerously partisan. PrioritiesDefine what matters to you._03009dfc-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea002.2Some of us have a specific idea of what we want in a politician, most of us do not. We don’t know what things we should value. Should we care about policy? Experience? Effectiveness? Character? How should we compare which factor matters more than another? If I think a candidate is smart and honest, but they support policies I don’t like, how should I feel? Unfortunately, there is no objectively right answer, but there is likely a right answer for you. Thinking about this in a structured way can help. Since our brain likes to feel like it is consistent and logical, it’s best to come up with a framework that makes sense to you, before inserting any real person into it. This way, you may feel like you’ve picked someone with a bit more thought than who you’d rather have a beer with (but, hey we’re a democracy, so do what feels right boo). Because it’s complicated and nuanced, most people feel overwhelmed about the prospect of figuring out who they should support. This is a big reason why we tend to ignore the political process until there are only two options left to choose from…which has not turned out so well for us. DonationsMicro donate to your favorite candidate._03009ece-2da3-11ea-adad-df76f582ea002.3DemocratsDonate to Democrats: ActBlueRepublicansDonate to Republicans: WinRedIndependentsDonate to Independents: The google machineAdding money to politics may not seem like a helpful thing on the surface, but political contributions are a fundamental part of our democratic process, at least right now. We can use it for good or opt-out and let the big companies and the elite wield it for their self-interest. Once you have an idea of which candidate you like, sending them a small donation has an impact beyond just helping them buy more cheesy TV ads. It sends a signal to the candidate and to other people that this person is worth supporting – social scientists call this social norming. Take two candidates, Ashley and Will. Ashley has received donations from 20 million people while Will has received donations from 100,000 people. If we have no other information about either of them, we will have a more positive view of Ashley because more people support her. This is why likes and views dictate everything in the social media world. If there’s a candidate you support and you can spare the change, send them a small donation and tell your friends – you’ll be helping them more than you know. 2020-01-02https://changeroots.com/OwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net