PSAs, emails, November 6th and beyond
This morning I saw the new Leonardo DiCaprio/Brad Pitt video encouraging folks to vote in this critical election. And last night I received another “sky is falling” election related email. (By way of reminder, I’ve worked for National Write Your Congressman for 20 years, getting people involved in speaking to their elected officials in the cleanest, most direct, non-partisan way possible www.nwyc.com) Back to the video and email....I roll my eyes with every Facebook post, tweet, deeply emotional email or Leo PSA about the “dire consequences of this next election” because the truth is: every election matters. But no election is more important than any other.
“Wait, Joal, you can’t actually believe that, do you?!“
I do and here’s why: the moment we put our chips all in on one election, we’ve minimized some elections AND we stand a grand likelihood of losing faith in our system. And even if the chips and election go “our way” this time, it’s a very short-lived victory in the American form of government. The founding fathers were brilliant to limit the length of terms. So, “Your guy or gal“ won this election. Congratulations- that person has to run for that seat again in another two, four, or six years. Frankly, it’s not a lot of time to effect lasting change. They are simply a piece of the puzzle-process; not the solution. Add to all that the fact that Congress is turning over at a record pace in the past decade: 398 of the current 535 were not there the day before Barack Obama was first elected president. There’s no guarantee that your guy or gal is going to win their next election anyways. And that’s where the brilliance of our form of government comes in! It is on the People to be the agents of community-wide change, not just a sole reliance on politicians.
I keep hearing references to the power of “We the People” and the necessity of “using your voice” and it seems that it is ONLY referring to voting. Understand—Voting is only the first step of a long trajectory. Of course, you’re supposed to vote if you’re an American! Vote! But from there you must do more. You must communicate with those sitting in the seat that represents your district. Writing your Congressman, Senators, Governor, and Mayor....and then showing up at Townhall meetings to get face to face with them....and THEN the real commitment shows up: you engage in your community in any number of ways. If Environmental issues are your number one issue, quit squawking on social media and instead get busy minimizing your carbon footprint and actively increasing conservation and, and, and. If you find yourself on the Pro-Life side of the Abortion debate, slow the picketing and look to care for women in crisis and orphans in distress. If Welfare reform matters to you, there are food banks and shelters that need funds, staffing and leadership. And one more—if Education rings your bell, stop decrying the troubles with the system and start mentoring and tutoring, run for school board, join the PTA and, and, and.
Government “of, by and for the people” encompasses a LOT more than just the first Tuesday of November every other year.
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