No matter if Kerry lost, you still have power

[Rudey]

I am always amazed at how people are so willing to accept a policy.

If you care about something, write in to your representatives, senators, and your president.

Even if they are not who you voted for, they represent YOU.

Often representatives fight for issues that are counter to their party's national support because they know the local votes get them elected.

So much effort is put into increasing the amount of people voting, but how about the effort of turning Americans into proactive citizens? Where is that?

-Rudey

[XOMichelle]

Rudey, I think that is the best thing you have ever said.

[KSigkid]

It's true; we have more power these days to get in touch with those in higher offices and make them aware of our concerns, questions and problems. There are email addresses, phone numbers, websites and other means to get in touch with these people.

Voting is only one power we have as citizens...we should all be more than happy to exercise our rights.

Great post Rudey, something that needed to be said after this election.

[KSig RC]

Well put, rudestar -

It's sad to see bickering and doomsday predictions - most of you that pay attention know that while I'm a Republican, I abhor the religious right for just this sort of soapbox righteousness and lack of willingness to work together and see the positives. No matter if your candidate won or lost, there's still plenty of work to do, and there are positives for those on both sides of the aisle.

[SapphireSphinx9]

nice gesture... but unfortunately, most politicians don't care what their constituents have to say.

having been an intern for a california state senator, i know the in and out's, good and bad's of politics pretty well... and if a constituent writes or calls in with opposing interest than the politician, their ideas get put on the back burner, if not thrown away all together. the politican could care less! they have bigger fish to fry...

and quite honestly, it’s obvious bush doesn't give a flying f**k about his people, or he wouldn't have run for president to begin with.

but that's just my two cents on it all.

[mrblonde]

Good stuff, Rudey.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Rudey, well said.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by SapphireSphinx9
nice gesture... but unfortunately, most politicians don't care what their constituents have to say.

having been an intern for a california state senator, i know the in and out's, good and bad's of politics pretty well... and if a constituent writes or calls in with opposing interest than the politician, their ideas get put on the back burner, if not thrown away all together. the politican could care less! they have bigger fish to fry...

and quite honestly, it’s obvious bush doesn't give a flying f**k about his people, or he wouldn't have run for president to begin with.

but that's just my two cents on it all.

What a load of crock that is. When you have a strong group of people writing in, calling in, faxing in, and emailing in, things work. If it didn't groups like the ACLU and tons of grassroots organizations would not devote so much resources to that. If it didn't then religious groups would have gotten nowhere. But you go on believing the politicans "could care less". I'm not even sure what "bigger fish to fry" means.

As for "and quite honestly, it’s obvious bush doesn't give a flying f**k about his people, or he wouldn't have run for president to begin with.", what the hell does that even mean? He won the majority of electoral and popular votes so obviously given those people care, he must have done something to connect with them.

But I'm glad that you're going to take a thread telling people to be proactive citizens and say it means nothing and then to try make this a partisan issue by attacking the President.

-Rudey

[sugar and spice]

I don't one hundred percent agree, but I think it's important to keep in mind. I think there's going to be a trend back towards more grassroots activism for liberals, simply because the number of ways our voices will be heard otherwise is limited.

But I also agree that the majority of representatives really don't care that much about what their constituents think unless they're coming up for re-election.

[SapphireSphinx9]

Originally posted by Rudey
What a load of crock that is. When you have a strong group of people writing in, calling in, faxing in, and emailing in, things work. If it didn't groups like the ACLU and tons of grassroots organizations would not devote so much resources to that. If it didn't then religious groups would have gotten nowhere. But you go on believing the politicans "could care less". I'm not even sure what "bigger fish to fry" means.

As for "and quite honestly, it’s obvious bush doesn't give a flying f**k about his people, or he wouldn't have run for president to begin with.", what the hell does that even mean? He won the majority of electoral and popular votes so obviously given those people care, he must have done something to connect with them.

But I'm glad that you're going to take a thread telling people to be proactive citizens and say it means nothing and then to try make this a partisan issue by attacking the President.

-Rudey

Rudey, I agree that people could have power if they are proactive and wrote in / called in / etc. but I was just stating that most of the time the politicians just don’t care. In no way am I saying its right, I’m just being realistic. And unless there is a “strong group of people” hounding their politicians to make changes, not much will come from it.

The whole “bigger fish to fry” comment is referring to who is putting money in the politicians pockets. These politicians got into office with some kind of monetary backing, and so they have to please those people once in office.

My issues with the president are purely just annoyance with the fact that he has not done any good for this country, in my opinion… But just like you stated, there are obviously a lot of people that disagree with me. And that’s fine. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinions… And I was just stating my opinions, whether you agree with them or not.

[Sistermadly]

Yeah, I have power. I'm registered in a "red" state. I could write letters, make phone calls, send faxes until I'm blue in the face (and considering my color, that would take a LONG time) -- but it won't do any good.

America has turned its back on me, and I've never felt more sad and angry than I do right now. I don't recognize the place I still consider my home, and that just breaks my heart.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by Sistermadly
Yeah, I have power. I'm registered in a "red" state. I could write letters, make phone calls, send faxes until I'm blue in the face (and considering my color, that would take a LONG time) -- but it won't do any good.

America has turned its back on me, and I've never felt more sad and angry than I do right now. I don't recognize the place I still consider my home, and that just breaks my heart.

I thought you were Canadian now.

Anyway if you don't think you have power, then fine. Some of us do and it has worked out for us. So please don't rain on anyone's parade.

-Rudey

[DeltAlum]

Rudey's right, at least in principle.

Whether it works in reality or not, if you don't at least try to exercise your rights and "powers" then you have no room to complain.

[Sistermadly]

Originally posted by Rudey
I thought you were Canadian now.

Permanent resident, yes. Citizen, not yet. And when that day comes, there will be much rejoicing.

[KSigkid]

Originally posted by Sistermadly
Yeah, I have power. I'm registered in a "red" state. I could write letters, make phone calls, send faxes until I'm blue in the face (and considering my color, that would take a LONG time) -- but it won't do any good.

America has turned its back on me, and I've never felt more sad and angry than I do right now. I don't recognize the place I still consider my home, and that just breaks my heart.

And I live in a "blue" state; a state where people vote Democrat 90% of the time and Republicans are at a disadvantage from the get-go.

That doesn't mean I take my voice/vote/opinion for granted, and you shouldn't either.

I think the point is that we have more power than we give ourselves credit for.