All the speeches are done and the transition begins. Whether I like the results or not the election results from my city council to leader of the country are final. I've never been one to engage in politics on social media or this blog and will continue to keep those activities for fun and respite.
I will for damn sure call, write, and meet with those in elected positions so they understand people care about the issues they are deciding. I implore you all to be proactive members of the democratic system. Know what's being considered, be informed, and exercise your rights through calm and clear headed means. Give facts and tell true stories of the impact positive or negative of a legislated decision. Don't just hit Share and Like on Facebook and pretend that means your engaged in the issue. The work doesn't start now-it should never have stopped, to make government work. Sadness, tears, pity, and hopelessness is done. Accountability going forward is my mantra. Rant over and I'll be back to money woes, stretching the budget, cooking, and day trips tomorrow.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
12 comments:
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Well said, Sam! I hate how the masses vert their spleen on social media, sharing articles they haven't researched and attacking people with different views to their own. Armchair activism is a waste of energy.
ReplyDeleteI'll be putting my political views into action on Monday when I take part in a people's protest against cuts. xxx
That's great Vix, but I would also highly encourage you along with the protest, to document in writing or a phone call if you can get through to someone, specific points;changes you want, real anecdotes of the impact on the cuts. You have documentation as well to go back and say, "on Monday, Nov 14, I contacted you about this, on December 30 about this, and yet your stance has been... with nothing to back it up." Hold them accountable to at least justify their actions or non actions. I used to work on an issue and every week I contacted my elected representative and senator. While we never saw eye to eye, my rep once left a session early before a vote (which his negative vote would have tipped the vote against my issue). It was clear to me in a follow-up call that he did it intentionally as he was quick to point out he abstained from the vote, knowing full well it would pass without a "no" vote from him.He didn't want to be on record as voting "yes".
DeleteYou are so right - the USA needs to hold him accountable for all the unrealistic promises that came out of his mouth including lowering taxes - how does he think things get paid for?
ReplyDeleteNot just him-any and all elected as "leaders'. We had surprises at our city level as well, and have at least one person now in the council that I've worked with on volunteer committees where she flitted around looking busy and involved while accomplished nothing.I think she saw running for council was a way to boost her popularity. I take election promises with a grain of salt, but they are evidence of their thinking (often skewed) and ability to later carry water when they really have to get work done.
DeleteI'm with you. I've been spurred into action. killing my facebook account should free up some time. ;-) I also made a variety of financial donations yesterday, and will look for opportunities to work harder to support the causes that I care deeply about.
ReplyDeleteI hid so many people, and now feel I can open up and see the family pictures, the funny stories and the things that enhance my relationships with my FB friends. I am a sort of dive in and get things down person, so the wallowing in anger doesn't last long-I need to do something.
DeleteI agree with the old "Think globally, act locally" mantra. There are things I can accomplish here that I could never do on a national level. Since the nature of a political being is reelection, my voice carries much more weight here in my own city and state than it does countrywide, since they want/need my vote when they run again.
ReplyDeleteWhat's good about thinking globally, acting locally is ultimately, the global pushes down.I've had a fair amount of past work on a national level in politics, and every Senator or member of congress wanted to know was how the issue played out in their communities back in Minnesota. My Minnesota reps wanted to know how state issues play out in my district, and county commissioners in the county, and city council, in my city. Citizens at a local level are the most important part of the government process and no one in office should ever forget that.
DeleteExcellent post Sam. I tend to veer away from politics on my blog too. I left Facebook after all the horrendous fallout this summer- people were being awful to each other. Instead I've joined MoreUnited which is not affliated to any one party but has been set up to fight extremism in politics here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteArilx
I find any extremes are usually full of ultimatums that is just not reality. Seems like most people really do want the same things, and want them for everyone, but the methods might be different. Common ground is there-it just needs to be found.
DeleteMy sentiments exactly - we can't do much about the BIG picture but I'm sure there are many other ways to work towards unity and to improve race relations.
ReplyDeleteBy knowing what's going on at all levels and speaking up things can get done-for good.
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