By Leland Pulley
Many changes in society are occurring more rapidly than in the past. The pace of life seems to be increasing. Not everyone is keeping up with what’s going on. There seems to be less stability in the lives of too many people. What can they count on or depend on today and in their future?
Changes in society affect us in many ways and one of the most important is government. Currently, there are a lot of political activities going on in the United States. At the local, state, and federal level there is more and more government intrusion into our lives as citizens. Besides this, this seems to be more disagreements and lack of unity between various groups and political parties. This leads to more information overload and confusion for too many ordinary citizens trying to run their own lives.
A good illustration is the news business. Many years ago, there were three major television channels with news every night. Since then more channels have started up. News has evolved into many hours per day of coverage. News has become big business. Unfortunately, news channels present their own views of what is going on and why. Most of these channels support the agenda of a major political party. This is why you can hear about specific events on one channel and there is little or no coverage on another channel. They have become political voices rather than pure news outlets.
With another presidential election coming next year, it is a good time to consider citizen participation in our government. This is a privilege and right in our free society and we should not take it for granted. Continual citizen participation helps to ensure that we will not lose this right.
There are many ways to participate more fully or effectively in government.
- As a citizen, be informed on the issues and candidates. Know the problems in your city, state, and the nation as a whole. Consider the challenges we all face in solving them.
- Register to vote and then vote in every election. It is sad to have half the potential voters not participating in elections. This means we can elect a governor or the President with only one fourth of the people voting for a particular candidate.
- Volunteer to work on campaigns for specific offices or work for the political party of your choice. Your efforts make a difference. You can determine to a large degree what you do and how much time to commit.
- Help to raise funds for candidates or political parties or for issues that are on the ballot. Contribute your own funds to such things.
- Do advertising in the form of signs in your yard, bumper stickers on your car, signs at the company / business you own, or running ads in the newspaper or on radio and television.
- Participate in lobbying various public officials at the city, county, state, or federal levels. This includes various agencies of government at each of these levels. You may do this as a citizen or work with other citizens via a group effort. You may work professionally as a lobbyist too.
- Actually, visit public officials who represent you or your local area. This can include offices of government agencies. Talking with a real person can provide information and perspective that sometimes is not possible via letters, email, or having an organization represents you.
If you are creative and have the interest, there are many ways to directly and indirectly participate in government or influence it.
What does greater citizen participation bring to all of us?
- More voices are heard and opinions are expressed. More views are presented and more issues are discussed in detail. There is less chance that something will go unnoticed or be misinterpreted. There is less chance of misinformation or a coverup of the facts.
- There is a chance for more groups and political parties to play a role in the elections. Groups can support more candidates and issues. Parties can get more people on the ballot and effectively compete with one another.
- More people vote. They are better informed and have more issues and candidates on the ballot to vote for in each election.
- Fairer elections occur because they are a truer representation of the will of the people.
- Between elections, greater citizen participation helps to ensure that government operates as it should and public officials are held accountable for the ways they conduct public business.
- Attend meetings open to the public involving elected officials. Some examples are city council, county commissioner meetings, the state legislature, or congress. Many public hearings can be attended. In some meetings and hearings, you can speak and express your own opinion or the position of a group you represent.
- Influence others. Write letters to the editor or articles for newspapers or magazines about an issue or concern you have. Utilize the Internet to share your own materials. Provide input to websites that support what you desire or want for yourself and others like you.
- Work for an elected official in his / her office.
Participation in government is not just during election periods. Throughout each year there are opportunities. It is never too late to get involved in some way.
Perhaps the most important thing that comes out of greater citizen participation is its actual effect on citizens themselves. When they participate in the political process, citizens feel empowered to a degree by the influence they exercise. This is uplifting. They meet new people and are encouraged that there are others who agree with them on specific issues or civic matters. They learn to formulate their own positions and express their views better. If they actually run for office themselves, their personal growth is even greater. All of these things lead to a greater appreciation for democracy. They love their country more and appreciate the freedoms it provides.
Beginning with this year and upcoming election season, strive to do your part in participating in government. If more people would do this over the years, this would have a big impact on politics as well as the quality of life in our society.
Key Words – changes in society, political activities, information overload and confusion, the news business, citizen participation, be informed, vote, volunteer, raise funds, lobbying, more voices are heard, fairer elections, attend meetings open to the public, influence others, citizens feel empowered
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