postnet.com Community Web Sites Election Pages A quick civics quiz: Who picks the frontrunning candidates, the issues and the questions to be asked and answered in an American election year? If you said "the public," put your high-school textbook back in the bottom drawer and look around you. This year the frontrunners for the presidency were named before you were ever consulted, and it's been campaign managers, big-money donors and the news media (including the Post-Dispatch and postnet.com) who've been setting the tone ever since. Why? The reason isn't necessarily dark and conspiratorial so much as matter-of-fact: They're better organized. This year we're enlisting our Community Web Sites network to help the public become better organized. We've asked the community groups in our network to create Web pages expressing their own perspectives and questions on this year's elections, as a way of letting St. Louisans consult with one another on the issues before them. What issues ought we to be talking about? How should the news media be covering them? What effect will the election of a Democrat, a Republican or a third-party candidate have on the work of St. Louis-area organizations? Here's what our network had to say -- and check back again, as more listings may still be added before Election Day:   GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR Institute for Peace and Justice: Closing the Gap Faith leaders have been sharing opinions on what constitutes economic justice. Here they share them with you. PAKT Community Resource Center: The View from Kinloch Forty-nine percent of Kinloch's households live below the poverty level. Money to help them through a bad month is hard to come by, and three out of four must be turned away. St. Louis Area Foodbank: Politics and Hunger Learn about hunger in Missouri, and about the policies and politics that maintain it and those that might reduce it. Human Rights Office: 10 Questions for the Campaign Catholic bishops ask basic questions about economics, mutual responsibilty, family and other issues. Follow the links to their statement. Center for Women in Transition: Sentencing Disparities Crime is dropping but we continue to incarcerate. This has a tremendous impact on families, especially children. What's the alternative? Restorative justice. Tech Corps Missouri: Earn a Computer Wealthy and poor children have equal access to computers in school, but not in the home. Still, there are ways to overcome this digital divide.   EDUCATION, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES St. Louis Dietetic Association: Food Assistance and School Lunches Where the candidates stand on child nutrition, and a long-range view of what America should do to improve it. Children's Rights Council: The Best Parent is Both Parents Divorce may be unavoidable, but children have the right not to be used as pawns. Follow the "Issue Week" links to learn how to remain collaborative parents even after separation.   AMERICA'S ROLE IN THE WORLD American Legion, 11th/12th District: Military Policy through Veterans' Eyes A collection of articles on the state of the U.S. military and veterans issues, including statements by George Bush and Al Gore and the results of an online poll of veterans. Ethiopian Community Association: Issues for Naturalized Voters Welfare reform at home and activism in fostering peace and prosperity abroad in their home countries top the list of concerns for immigrants and their families.   THE ENVIRONMENT Sierra Club: Candidate Checklists The front page tells you who the Sierra Club thinks an environment-minded voter should vote for; the link at the bottom leads to pages that tell you why. Missouri Environmental Fund: Three Propositions A few thoughts about three state and local choices on your ballot, and Web sites you can go to for really detailed information. St. Louis Earth Day: Environmental Voters Guides Links to three Web sites geared to help environmentalists think through their vote (including the Missouri Environmental Fund's). OTHER ISSUES The Archdiocese of St. Louis: Faithful Citizenship Catholic teaching on following the guidance of Gospel to shape a society more respectful of human life and dignity. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Missouri Region: Our Say Missouri's authors and illustrators have their say about the year 2000 elections. Community Living, Inc.: Stand Up and Be Counted Information and Links for YOUR Decision 2000.