What would it take for you to want to be involved in political action? If there was any time in history in my estimation, this is one of the more critical times with the administration we have in office and the sheer volume of issues that need our attention. I can’t sit it out and wonder why/if you can?
I wasn’t too involved in my earlier years, but I became more involved as my son grew up, and I became more independent and educated. I felt that perhaps I could make a difference if I got engaged. I don’t feel I can stand on the sidelines; there is just too much that needs our attention and I am unwilling to sit back and complain or see our country destroyed! This is my personal attitude which you may not share. It has been a personal struggle for me because I am compelled to share information and by doing so hope to convince people to be more involved. Perhaps it is karma from another lifetime, or perhaps it is my compassion and empathy for those who are not as fortunate as me. Whatever it is, perhaps my life purpose,; it is who I am and I will fight for causes I care about until I die. I realize that not everyone shares my values and beliefs, but I think we each have a passion for certain causes where you can get excited and make a difference. The more who are involved, makes less work for a few and gives more credibility to the issue. A million marchers make a bigger impact than 50 does.
Lately, when I ask people to join in, or to attend something, I often hear words like ‘Oh I am just not as political as you.’ What does that really mean? It’s only up to me to do the work? Or you don’t really care about anything that is happening? You think things will just go well if you put your head in the sand? You don’t see all of the problems our country faces? I don’t expect people do be as involved as I am, but if you care about society and your community, a little bit of knowledge and engagement is warranted, if not mandated by being a citizen. Choose an issue you care about, even support just one.
I know some persons who prefer to just go about their business and never listen to the news, or even vote. I have family members like that. I don’t understand it except yes, maybe they don’t get as riled up as I do, or it is easier to just ignore what is happening around you. I wonder if at some point you might come up against a roadblock when all the sudden you can’t get health insurance, or find affordable housing. Then you might turn to a politician or get engaged. Maybe your life mission is just different. I accept it but I it is hard for me to understand from my own personal experience.
When I see the multitude of critical issues that we face in our country, I just don’t understand why everyone is not more outraged and engaged! I hang out mostly with like-minded people…we are marching, calling and writing our Congress people! Personally, I just can’t stand to the side and watch our country be destroyed, our environment be ruined, and our rights being taken away. I know we do not all have the same values or necessarily care about the same things, but if you do care about something, do something! Please get involved as much as you feel you can! It can make a difference!
I grew up in the tumultuous 60’s and learned that we can make a difference especially when we come together in unity! I was too young to participate in the sit-ins back then, yet I saw our leaders murdered, I saw the riots on TV, and we debated the issues in high school over civil rights and voting rights. And changes were made through engagement by many people. It shaped who I became no doubt. Now it seems we have to re-litigate many of those issues and newer ones. Perhaps I am involved because our generation (Baby Boomers) began those fights, and I am excited to see the young getting engaged again (Generation Z), as I fear that our children’s generation (Gen X) were spoiled into complacency, and we are experiencing that outcome. We can’t let that happen again! We need all hands on deck!
Democracy defined: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
A democratic society or republic is founded on the premise that citizens be engaged in the government through elections. If you aren’t involved, why not? Maybe take some time to reflect on that question and its impact. I know. I get it. Politics can be frustrating and divisive at times, and occasionally downright ugly. But if we aren’t part of the solution, are we part of the problem? If we let others run the show and make all the decisions, we don’t get a say in what happens to us and our country. It was founded on citizen engagement; we are the country! I guess I am too controlling to allow others to make things happen; I don’t like being told what to do and how to do it. I want to be part of the solution and I think sometimes I have some good ideas to share. And you might as well!
By asking you to be engaged, I am not suggesting that anyone spend every waking hour listening to the news, going to meetings or researching topics. But surely you care enough about the decisions that impact your family that you might occasionally attend a town hall, a speaker on a specific topic dear to your heart, read a book, or even to listen to the news in the background while you get the kids ready for bed. Do you even take a bit of time to read about or attend a candidate forum to investigate and learn about whom you are voting for? Or do you just listen to the ads on TV (often slanted and paid by outside groups) or vote on the advice of family and friends? Many people research buying an appliance more than they check out the person that will represent them for two or more years and whom make decisions that could adversely affect your life and that of your family.
In addition, I feel only voting every 2 to 4 years is not enough! But do vote! We have very low voter turnout which is another issue of apathy in many ways, yet we also need to have paper ballots and change election days to the weekend. Most lead busy lives, especially families where both parents work and have children. Many families are struggling to meet their financial obligations. Some of my friends are having trouble even finding work, much less affordable housing. I get that! Times are not good for everyone. We need to be voting to get in good elected officials who care about those issues as well! And vote out those who don’t listen to us!
In an earlier blog I wrote about the importance of local elections. Those elected in those more directly affect us on a daily basis. Still many only vote the top of the ticket or in Presidential elections. And then we hear daily complaints about things like potholes or foreign policy. Maybe you could have looked further into the background of those making those decisions? Perhaps they are taking campaign contributions from a company or group whose mission is in-congruent with yours? Don’t complain unless you are willing to take some accountability and action. And I am not saying that you should never relax and tune out…we all need a break, hobbies and an outlet for our frustration. But we also need to be part of the solutions at least some of the time!
There are some simple and less time-consuming things you can do to be more involved. You can look out for legislation that you care about. Then you can make a phone call to your legislator about it, or drop an email, or if you care a great deal, you can testify when it comes to the floor. I try to make a call at least weekly….seriously it only take a couple of minutes (I keep an index card handy with my legislators numbers on it). Our county party offers days when a group visits the Capital for a half day to see how it runs and to meet your legislators. I think this should be mandatory along with being an election judge as you really learn about the process and rules. Most don’t understand the how our systems work or have a clue how a bill progresses. If you regularly contact your representatives, they will get to know you and know what you care about and it helps them do a better job as well. Otherwise you are totally dependent upon their own judgment and whomever is giving them money. That is another subject for another blog…getting corporate money out of politics! (Citizens’ United)
Meantime, please find a cause, an issue, or something where you can make a difference. Attend a party house district meeting, a town hall, or other group (there are many out there to choose from, even meetups). You could start by attending a caucus near you in March….and help shape the platform and vote on whom should be governor, and more! Politics is what WE make it and so is our democracy!