My Challenge to My Friends...

So, if you know me you know that every time there's an election, I repeat several [hundred] times that you must vote, you live in a country where it is a right...where people don't shoot at you, you can choose...and it is your duty as a citizen. My friends are always astonished when I post stuff with info on all candidates, issues, party stuff, etc...well, duh! It's called a choice, people! I assume my friends can read and think and thusly judge for themselves. Not that complicated!

So, this year, I believe, will be unique...for many, many reasons. I have a unique challenge for my friends and anyone else who reads this....go beyond voting. 'What?' you ask. 'Uh, ok...what do you mean?'

I mean, google the US Senate and House sites, find out who represents you and how you contact them. Sign up for the updates about legislation, current issues of interests [which you can customize] and so on. Now, instead of sitting back and watching stuff like the mortgage crisis happen and blaming, wondering, fingerpointing and posturing,DO something. It takes surprisingly little effort to make yourself heard.

A perfect example, today, 9/29/08, Congress was ready to vote on the $700 Billion dollar Economic Crisis Act. Both sides had the required votes. Millions of citizens, constituents of these Represenative, called, faxed and e-mailed their objection to the bail out and look what happened. It failed. Yes, something needs to happen and yes, it tanked the stock market but the upside of it, and yes, there's an upside, democracy was in action and the people who represent us and our interests in Washington [oh yeah, that thing we elect and PAY THEM to do!] did their job, listened to those they represent and said 'no'. So Congress doesn't get their usual long break. Deal with it!

If 1/4 of the eligible citizens of this country got 'in the know', paid attention and spoke up via phone, fax or e-mail 25% of the time, it would change politics as usual. Obama can't do it alone. Even though he and his supporters seem to think he's the Messiah, he is not. [for those of you to whom that's a body blow, take a moment] McCain can't do it alone. Yup, he is a maverick and he's angered his party many times by saying 'uh, ok, this is not ok or good for the American people so I'm voting not how the President or GOP leaders want me to vote but how I can best rep the people who sent me here.'

The point is, if you can spend 15 min to an hour kavetching, whining and complaining [yes, that means you too!!], spend 5-15 minutes figuring how who is your voice in DC, how you contact them to let them hear your voice and let's get a move on!

Politics as usual stops when we say it does...you with me?