“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing”
(Edmund Burke)
Edmund Burke was an Irish political philosopher, Whig politician, and statesman. He is regarded as the “father of modern conservatism”. When I was reading about Burke, it reminded me of how polarized people are with politics today - how we treat contemporary politics like we do sporting teams. “What SIDE are you on?” I wish we (us regular folks in the USA) would stop fighting among ourselves about politics – and write, call, and/or visit mayors, governors on up to the Prez himself (well probably hard to get an appointment but he has an address). One’s politics are personal and, if so desired, private. Please skip the op-ed, and ramblings at lunch or the check out stand – and tell your officials what you think. In all due respect, I really don’t care about your politics - I care about how you drive because I want you, me, and our loved ones alive … to vote.
Meanwhile, regardless of your politics, make your voice heard! From your local school and road initiatives, all the way to issues of war, make your voice heard. Hold your elected officials and American companies accountable. The Internet makes it so easy to contact every official and the oversight agencies responsible for making sure government offices and companies play by the rules. And don’t forget advertisers. We have so much power to influence the media and we haven’t used it. Advertisers respond to the public.
Write your senators, companies, et. al., and let them know what you think is important - how you want to have your money spent and your country to grow. What you think matters! These people have someone read all correspondence; they look at trends and points of particular interests. You might not think your voice is that important and that you will just get canned responses, but this is not true. Of course some responses are pre-written but I’ve received very cogent and personal letters from different people, including Ben Bernanke’s office. (The fellow apologized that Dr. Bernacke could not answer directly because he is “very busy”, and added, they appreciated my kind words because “He doesn’t get a lot of that”.)
Don’t just write to complain, either. Remember; pass on complements and encouragement where you see the ‘Right’ thing being done.
It is important to let your government officials and CEOs know what you want (sounder decisions, support for specific issues, greener packaging, decency in TV or advertising, etc.) Hold them accountable beyond the day you voted for them, or shopped at their company. Once you give a kid the keys to the car, you don’t stop monitoring their competency and never discuss their progress, Right?
We have the Right to access our officials,
that which so many from around the world
are losing their lives fighting for!
Exercise that Right – so we may never lose it.
Too preachy, huh? But it makes me mad so many people complain about the government but don't write their officials.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for reading this far?