Since the election, how much thought have you given to the issues that had you so heated before you cast your vote? I'd wager that, for most of us, the answer would be "not much."
My neighborhood has a traffic light finally being installed at the only way in or out. This is a good thing - the daily exodus at 7:50 am will move a lot smoother and faster now, allowing me maybe a couple more lag minutes before I have to leave the house (I'm 2 miles from work, hah).
How this relates to the elections is something that nudged me in the ribs and brought my attention back to it and certain issues. Perched atop each arm of the traffic lights are cameras. I can understand - barely - the cameras facing north and south along the main road, but the camera facing east - pointed directly at the street into our neighborhood, has me concerned. It's just a little too Big Brotherish for my comfort level. So...
I would hope that our leaders have gotten the message that they just can't take the voter for granted anymore. I also hope that the rest of us have gotten the message that we just can't sit on our asses, either. We aren't done yet.
Those of us who are happy with the outcomes of the elections still have a job to do. We got what we want, now we have to ensure that our guys don't give us a rinse and repeat of the guys they replaced. At the very least here's what I propose you do:
Figure out what's important to you, locally, nationally and internationally. Then ask which of those issues are being dealt with to your satisfaction and which aren't. Of those issues that aren't to your satisfaction - do your homework as to your arguments for change. Then send letters to the appropriate legislators - and don't stop. It also wouldn't hurt to send along your thanks for the issues that are being handled to your satisfaction.
Letters in your own words, stamped and mailed, are given more attention than cut and paste form letters. Second to that is a phone call and, lastly, an e-mail - again in your own words. If you want to go the extra yard - try to schedule a visit with you legislator to talk the him or her in person.
Don't rely on the media or your party affiliation to form your opinion for you. We've gotten lazy, folks - I know I have. This laziness has caused some of our basic freedoms to be chipped away at and if we don't want to see them broken to pieces, it's imperative for us to be more diligent.
Of course, what I'm suggesting isn't all you can do. But it's a start.
Ok. You have your assignment - now go be good citizens.
