If we are not careful, our unquenchable thirst for the dramatic and the negative in our electoral process, coupled with our short attention span, will be our undoing.
The hard work of putting solutions in place for the many challenges this country faces, is something we must all keep at the top of our minds, this must remain the first priority for those who survived the election blood bath. If you watched any of the races and the conduct of the candidates, you most remember the character assassinations and charges leveled (true or false), rather then what each candidate claimed they would do to solve the problems we face.
What is wrong with that picture? Our electoral process begs for reform, and a more stringent enforcement of adherence of the rules. Until we demand a campaign process that addresses the issues at hand rather than mudslinging, we, the people, will forever be short-changed. But that is a subject for another day. Back to the issue at hand. What now, after the election is over?
Too often, we forget the people that we elect after the voting process is over. We leave them unattended until the next election go-around, only to find that an individual and the lot of them have not done what we expected or needed. In two or four years, we once again find ourselves at the polls, where we take our “rightful” places ringside to personally view another mudslinging slugfest between these office seekers.
So what does that say about us part-time participants in our electoral and governing process?
Ensuring that the political process and our form of government, strives to achieve the greatest good for the largest number is not a spectator sport.
For those who voted, you made an investment, an investment that not only you, but each of us needs to watch and manage.
For those who chose not to vote, this election impacts your quality of life nonetheless, and while you were negligent by forfeiting your right to vote, you can still make a commitment and get involved, rather than leaving the choice of how your government works to others. It is not too late to make your voice heard, nor is it too late for you to help shape the course of things to come.
You can start by making your expectations, concerns, and desired outcomes known to those in power. Write a letter. Make a call. Send an email. Pay a visit. Do not just do it once. Include these actions on your “To Do” list, and place a check mark showing these actions have been completed on a frequent basis.
If we do not choose to become actively engaged on an ongoing basis, we have no right to complain about what goes on or does not go on in our government — at the local, state, or national level.
There is just too much at stake, not only now, but as well in the near and long-term future of our country and our rights and privileges as U.S. citizens.
Our government is US.
Comments
Voting Is necessary
Being 21 years old this past election was only the 3rd election that I have been allowed to vote in and you better believe I did. I feel that being a women because women have only been allowed to vote for about 70 years, it is even more important to exercise my right as a women. I also feel that I should stand up for what I believe in and one way to show the government my beliefs is to take a stand in the voting booth. I have never written letters or made phone calls to my officials but I think I'm going to start because I feel very passionate that change needs to occur in this country and it needs to be towards progressive lifestyle that we as Americans deserve. I understand some do not agree with me but I just can't see their side, everyone deserves as much of an equal opportunity as possible which should include education, health care, and equals rights. I feel that the months up to the election was a time for candidates to stand up for the issues they wanted to change or create and to let the American people know their opinions, instead it resulted in an advertising war of false lies. I had no idea about what any of the candidates stood for based on what I saw in the media that I had to do hours of research just to figure out who's policies I liked. Many 20- 26 year olds were absent from voting because they had no idea where the candidates stood on issues and didn't want to take the time to look it up. I feel that it is absolutely insane how much personal money certain candidates spent on their campaign and media advertisements I feel it would have been better for them to donate it to our national debt or to our schools but instead it was wasted on slanderous commercials that did nothing but confuse Americans. I also notice that not one single candidate touched upon the issue of the current war were in and that's a huge deal that no one cared why? We are kept in the dark and are unaware of important issues needing to be discussed.