We have heard it in California and we have heard it in Michigan: "I really don't like to get involved in politics." Well, doctors, if you're in business, you're in politics. Whether you own a car dealership or adjust spines, you are subject to the decisions of elected officials every day. If we want those decisions to be beneficial to chiropractic, then we must get our candidates elected and educate the ones already in office.
What exactly is "grassroots"? It is a term that means you, the doctor, the constituent, lobby your legislators and get involved personally in key political races. This effort is in addition to any professional lobbying that is done by your state association. The importance of your personal interaction with candidates and elected officials cannot be overemphasized. These people know that as a doctor of chiropractic, you represent a relatively wide circle of influence. They know that you talk to your patients, colleges and fellow business owners in your community about chiropractic issues. This circle of influence represents potential votes to the candidate or legislator. Now you've got their attention.
More and more states are implementing limits on contributions to political candidates and campaigns. This can be a big plus for the chiropractic profession, because historically we have not had the big bucks to throw at candidates and campaigns that many of our opponents have had. As a rule, we have a greater rapport with our patients and can recruit them for what they already know is a good cause: chiropractic. If we combine our patient bases and use our individual influence, we can have a tremendous impact on many races throughout the United States. We must continually communicate our point of view to our legislators, which is a much easier task when the legislator is someone you have helped to get into office.
What can you do? There are several things that the individual doctor can do to influence political races and gain favor with candidates. First, you must work with your state association and get their opinion on which candidates are supportive of chiropractic. It is very important the we stay together in our support of a candidate; after all, it's a numbers game, and the greatest number wins. Once a candidate is targeted, you have many options on how to assist them. The following are just a few:
- Open your office for a phone bank. With multiple phone lines in your office, you and your staff can make calls to other constituents urging them to vote for your candidate. It's easy and can be a lot of fun.
- Personally walk precincts for your candidate or recruit patients to do it. This is essentially the same as the phone bank in its message, but it is done door-to-door. This can be too time-consuming for the doctor, but an active patient may be happy to do it on your behalf. The candidate will know where the help came from.
- Host a fundraiser. Candidates always need money! This is not as onerous as it sounds. You can invite the candidate to a continental breakfast at a restaurant or your office. Get 10 or more doctors together for the event and each contribute at least $25. It lasts about 30 minutes, and you can ask direct questions and get answers straight from the candidate. Most important, you have directly contributed to their campaign, and they will not forget that.
- Invite the candidate to a chiropractic gathering. Conventions, local society meetings and the like are great places for candidate exposure. They will greatly appreciate it if they can say a few words to the group.
Basically, candidates for public office are looking for only 3 things: money, public/media exposure and votes. The four things listed above help candidates to this end. When a doctor of chiropractic provides these opportunities for a candidate, it can have long-lasting effects.
Many politicians are in it for the long haul. They want to be elected, get re-elected, and then get elected to a higher office. Making friends like these will pay big dividends for chiropractic. So get out there and sow some seeds: plant your own "grassroots"!
Alan Tuthill, DC
Santee, California
Paul Tuthill, DC
Grand Rapids, Michigan