Writers wanted
Do you consider yourself liberal or progressive? Do you like to blog? Are you interested in promoting activism and ways to get involved in America? Would you like to help motivate and encourage people to take action?
If you can answer “yes” to the above questions and are interested in being a contributing blogger on this site, please send an email to: sosaythepeople@gmail.com
Beyond Politics
I’ve never thought of myself as a political person. I started voting when I was 18, but that was more because it was something I thought that “everybody” did than because I was tied to particular candidates or issues. I voted for Michael Dukakis in 1988 because the people I knew were voting for George H. W. Bush and I wanted to be different. I somehow managed to sleep through the 1992 election cycle – I don’t think I ever missed a presidential vote, but I don’t remember knowing who Bill Clinton was until after he took the oath of office either. I voted for Bob Dole in 1996 because I was tired of sex scandals, even though I had no idea what issues Senator Dole had based his political campaign upon. For everything else, I usually voted to reflect the views of the people I talked to on a regular basis or made pretty patterns on my ballot. And I always voted against someone whose last name was Smith, because I had the absurd reasoning that since the person’s name was common, then that individual would be a useless politician.
It has been a long process, but my attitude toward politics has changed. I now believe that it is essential to vote not only at the national level, but on the local level too. It is vital for me to educate myself about what a candidate believes in and to research how well that candidate’s previous behavior and votes reflect those beliefs. I want to be able to look at a candidate and see how that individual might affect my family’s quality of life not only in the short-run, but long-term as well. My ballots no longer have pretty patterns, but instead reflect hours of research and thought. If I vote against someone with the last name of Smith, I do so based on issues rather than on my perception of that individual’s last name.
I believe that the United States of America has amazing potential and I want to do my part to help this country fulfill its potential. However, I am one person. I believe that it is imperative for me to do what I can, but I know that unless I join with other concerned Americans committed to liberty and justice for all, other concerned Americans who are unwilling to rest until the blessings of liberty are secured for ourselves and future generations, it will be easy to dismiss me. I also believe that if I unite with others who want change, others who are concerned about the well-being of their fellow Americans and the potential futures of their children and grandchildren, together we can make a difference. We are the people. Let’s use our voices and change America.
