The Congress, The White House, and The Citizen
Currently the US Congress has a less then 16% approval rating and the Presidents approval rating is around a 23%. Whether you are right or left, Democrat or Republican, liberal or conservative, atheist or religious, or any other side, view, combination, or ideal that is terrible. Isn’t it really time for the views of the American citizen to be represented by their federal officials. I think most would say Yes.
The bad news is that the best way for that to happen is for the average citizen to makes themselves heard both at the ballot box or via constant interaction with their representatives. I know many think the ballot box is worthless, but if voters show up on election day their voice will be heard. No amount of ads and donations can change a upswing in election turn out. I know many think that elected officials do not listen, but two recent actions - the issue over a border / illegal program and internet radio tariffs - show that elected officials do listen with citizens speak in great numbers. The fact that 1) in most FEDERAL elections less then 30% of voters that show and 2) that in MOST local and state elections there are even lower turn out percentages show that day in and day out the average citizen does not and is not interested in participating in the direction of their government.
Honestly, the “average” American cares more about Big Brother 8, The Singing Bee, Ninja Warrior, Victoria Beckham’s house, their yard, their car, their weekend plans, or a star o the moment then they do about their government. It is wonderful that life in America is so good that the average citizen does not have to worry about their government, that is rare in most other nations, but this great life / freedom from daily government oppression has caused the American government to become disconnected from the American citizen.
The above statement is not novel or new I know, but my ongoing frustration over it is not waning either. I want to see people involved in their government, and I don’t care if you agree with my political, social, or moral views, or not. Get involved. Remember that local elections have more impact on your day to day then the federal ones. Know who your county commissioners, school board members, tax accessors, etc are. Know your state representatives and senators. Contact them about things that are important to you - be it schools, arts funding, agriculture support, energy, taxes, roads, etc. The same is true at the federal level. Contact them about what you care about. Tell them how you want them to vote. When they follow your suggestions praise them, thank them. When the do not work to help their opponent, regardless of party affiliation.
