Representation

My email box is loaded week after week with letters of concern over how our government is run and our taxes are spent. I have several questions but the most important of all is 1. Do you vote? and 2. Do you write or call your government representatives - local, state, and national and let them know how you feel?

How in the world can your senator, legislator, or local official know you don't agree with his/her decisions, if you don't let them know? There was a time that you would see your government representatives around town, in church, at public meetings; but now the population has grown and these people have a lot more ground to cover.

Did you know that each are reachable by phone or mail and most have email that is provided for the sole purpose of keeping in touch with their constituents? You may not get to talk to the representative or senator personally each time you call, but you can bet if you leave enough messages and fill up their email boxes you will hear from them. The good thing is, you are in control. If they don't call back, write, or email you in return, you don't have to vote for them the next election. We need representatives/senators/local officials who have time to listen. If they are too busy to hear, they are too busy to hold office.

If they are catering to special interest groups and do not have time for their constituents, let them deal with the special interest groups on their own time. These officials are not important to these special interests groups if they are not holding a political office. Holding a public office makes them important. However, special interest groups do not vote in local elections. You do!

Visit you Chamber of Commerce or local government website to find contact information for your Federal, State and local elected officials. Most of these officials have web site for the purpose of keeping in touch with their constituents, relaying information on the workings of the goverment, and provide contact information making it easier to get your opinion and concerns. The telephone directory also contains contact information for these officials.

Spending taxes is always a hot topic. Do you agree that your elected federal officials not pay into Social Security? What is your opinion on Foreign Economic Policy and Domestic Economic Policy? Do you agree with the purchasing policies of the military? We all laugh because the Army pays $500 for a commode, but do you know why? Who can change the policy? Do you think the government should pay a farmer not to plant a crop? Why are taxes so high? Are the requirements for government contracts so strict that only the largest and most affluent have the ability to meet those requirements? Do you expect the best and get the least? Ask your representative where they stand on these and other issues and most of all let them know where you stand on these issues.


I hope my friends keep sending me information so I can forward to our officials, but if you want to make sure the proper message is received, your opinion reaches the right person, and your wishes are known, contact these people yourself. Besides, the more people they hear from, the more seriously an issue, stand, or law will be taken and these officials/representatives will think long and hard when it comes time to vote. All votes in these assemblies are recorded and if your representative continually votes opposite the wishes of his/her constituents, he/she should not be re-elected.

Find your voice, grab your pen, hit your keyboard and make yourself heard. Then - GO VOTE!