Conservatives seem to be at a distinct disadvantage in the marketplace of ideas these days. Ideas don’t seem to be very influential among the populace. Conservatives find themselves a minority in the halls of power, if not among the voting population as a whole.

One of the major reasons for the shift in power is the Left’s application of Saul Alinsky‘s Rules for Radicals. Leftist activists have been organizing for decades, capitalizing on emotional issues. Conservatives have been almost criminally negligent of their tactics, allowing them to make consistent gains without effective opposition. It’s time to learn those rules, and use them to our advantage.

I went looking for information on Alinsky and his tactics, and found valuable information at furtherleft.net here . The top half gives background on Alinsky. Scroll down for the tips on organizing.

Quoting from the site, “Anyone can be a radical activist. It is easy.” And, “all effective organizing is local.” It goes on to describe how to organize a small group of like-minded people who will be willing to participate in small, FUN activities that will attract attention and draw new members. When the group grows large enough to be self-sustaining, you bow out and start a new one.

As a conservative, I don’t think I can bring myself to use the full complement of Alinsky tactics to organize a grassroots effort. But that doesn’t mean we can’t study those tactics and design an effective campaign that won’t leave us feeling slimy.

I have been feeling helpless and frustrated since the election, watching the country I love being twisted into something I don’t recognize. I’m sure there are large numbers of other people who feel the same way. Organizing small local groups sounds like something we can do. Maybe we can brainstorm and/or compare notes to help each other become more effective.