Action Kit

abolitionist — Not just a term out of the Civil War chapter in your history book; an abolitionist is anyone trying to get rid of laws or practices by making them illegal.

abortion — Far too vast a topic to be simply for or against; see partial birth abortion, pro-life, pro-choice, Roe v. Wade.

ACLU — The American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit organization that works on a multitude of social issues, often on behalf of people who believe they were wronged by the system or its laws; also refers to the ACLU Foundation, not a non-profit that lobbies with the best of them. Some people love the ACLU, others call it a 'big liberal bag of crazy.' Either way, it's had a hand in many significant social issues that are still relevant today, including creationism vs. evolution, abortion, and immigration law. (www.aclu.org)

ad hominem — You need to know this if you ever plan to listen to a candidate or public official speak; ad hominem arguments deflect facts by attacking the character of a person or group instead of the actual subject of the argument. Watch C-SPAN for an example every 10 minutes or so.

affirmative action — One of those issues that everyone jumps to be for or against while most know very little about it; No, it's not about being fair - it is, in theory, an attempt to make up for past instances of discrimination (in the workplace, education etc.) Any other description about injustices and 'my deep respect for ...' is just rhetoric. (The American Association for Affirmative Action)

amendment — In politics, it's anything added to a law or law document; don't be fooled by people who use them to manipulate - amendments are not made of magic or Kevlar and are simply just laws like everything they complement. The U.S. Constitution has 26 of them, do yourself a favor and read at least the first 10 some time - they aren't that long; see Bill of Rights.

anarchism — The term represents a wide range of philosophies, but the common ground is that government is a bad idea; you've seen their symbol - it's that capital A in a circle, usually scrawled in spray paint, doodle pens or tattoo ink. A lot of people who don't really subscribe to the philosophy just seem to like the symbol; either way, it's kind of ironic that anarchism would even have unifying symbol. (Oddly enough, there is also an anarchism Web site with an active forum)

anti-federalist — Think Thomas Jefferson. Most simply, it is an opposition to a strong central government - like the hulk that is Washington D.C. It's not exactly hip to call yourself an anti-federalist today, but the ideas live on in some Libertarian and conservative positions.

anti-Semite — People who rag on Jews because they are Jewish; some of the most basic and long-lasting discrimination in the world. You don't have to be Hitler to be anti-Semitic.

atheism — Simply, not believing in gods, a god, a personal god, or deities in general; also, Atheist is a heavy metal band. (Atheist Resource Web site)

attorney general — Both the national and state governments have one; the top law enforcement official and lawyer for the government; remember when late-night talk shows were making fun of Janet Reno? That's what she was.

autarky — One of those words that always seems to come up in conversation; a political state where outside trade is cut off; mostly important when discussing foreign oil dependence or North Korea.

autocracy — Very literal term; government where all the power is held by one self-appointed ruler; not applicable to all dictatorships, because many still pretend to have elections.

Axis of Evil — This term did not exist before George W. Bush created it in 2002, it is Iraq, Iran and North Korea. John Bolten also added Libya, Syria and Cuba as 'Beyond the Axis of Evil.' It has no meaning beyond political rhetoric. (Full text of the speech that created the term)