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I've pretty much stayed out of politics this time, because I was frankly rather uneasy with both sides. Unfortunately, that uneasiness hasn't gone away, and I've discovered why.
Apathy hasn't gone away, it was merely delayed for a while.
It may not look like it, but I actually follow things pretty well. I just believe the political is personal, and my vote is still none of your business. Just know that I'm a tried and true Independent, which means I could go any way at any point for any reason, and those reasons being my own. I also hate influencing anyone's vote, because it is THEIR business (even their right to vote or not). Everyone looks out for their best interests and it's not my place to say whether or not those interests are right or not. Only the Constitution really has the say on whether something in ultimately right or not.
Call it pessimism, but while I was ridiculously excited to hear that a record number of people voted (and the reps that I liked also got in for my state, yay for a decent mix!) I can't help but wonder where those people will be once their representatives and officials start getting to work. When (and if) laws get passed or policies get enacted.
What I'm trying to say is, your politicians are still human, not saviors.
The only thing that would really excite me about politics is if people could keep up the momentum past the contest (for that is what an election is, in some ways). Once winning and losing is no longer the point and the actual WORK is happening. The buck doesn't stop here. It's only a beginning and as a citizen of the country, you're not done.
America is in many ways advanced citizenship. You really gotta want it, it's not passive. It's a continuous process.
I'm not saying become an activist. Hell, don't. Only if you are honestly and truly passionate about something and have the will and desire to devote a large chunk of yourself to it, I encourage you to become an activist. And I know some of you are and can and that's wonderful and I love to see that. But don't be a bumper sticker activist. Please.
You can vote with your dollar. Don't pay for things you don't believe in. You can vote with your voice. Check in on those people you voted for! It's a lot like what people say about college professors--you're paying for them, so if they do something you don't like, you have a say. Same with your politicians. You pay for them!
It's quite obvious that you have a say. I hate that it had to come to an election for ya'll to realize that, because you've had it all along. Advanced citizenship. It's not a party, it's not a politician, it's each and every person being willing to take responsibility for their say.
When I see things like Proposition 8 passing, I know we still have a LONG way to go. Not to be a buzzkill, but seriously. A long way.
Don't turn this into another Carter era. (and here's the wiki on Carter, for those of you that aren't as into history as I am, I suggest going beyond that, too) Idealism can only survive as long as people care for it.
Ideas are a great thing. In fact, to take a page from the movie Dogma, they're in some ways better than beliefs. Keep up the ideas. I know ya'll are intelligent, I don't like dumbness. XD
Anyway, I just wanted to say something before the excitement dies down and things go back to "normal". Find something, one thing that you'll be willing to keep an eye on. Be it a representative, or a policy, or an ideology. Not every one of you is in a position of immediate power or influence, but you have the power granted to you by the Constitution.
At the very least? Educate yourself. Actually listen in US History! If you feel it's biased, then study it on your own. Understand that all that is happening has probably happened before, and will happen again, that knowledge is power. Understand you government! I had the privilege of going and learning about it pretty first-hand, but not all of you will get that, so you'll have to find a way. Understand your tax code! I know that's hard, but look at your paychecks and figure out where it's going. Look at your sales tax. Look at properties.
And remember apathy is what got us the last eight years. I know most of you didn't entirely like everything that happened.
~Cendri
P.S. Oh, and be nice to your conservative friends (and vice versa). Nothing is truly red and blue.
Apathy hasn't gone away, it was merely delayed for a while.
It may not look like it, but I actually follow things pretty well. I just believe the political is personal, and my vote is still none of your business. Just know that I'm a tried and true Independent, which means I could go any way at any point for any reason, and those reasons being my own. I also hate influencing anyone's vote, because it is THEIR business (even their right to vote or not). Everyone looks out for their best interests and it's not my place to say whether or not those interests are right or not. Only the Constitution really has the say on whether something in ultimately right or not.
Call it pessimism, but while I was ridiculously excited to hear that a record number of people voted (and the reps that I liked also got in for my state, yay for a decent mix!) I can't help but wonder where those people will be once their representatives and officials start getting to work. When (and if) laws get passed or policies get enacted.
What I'm trying to say is, your politicians are still human, not saviors.
The only thing that would really excite me about politics is if people could keep up the momentum past the contest (for that is what an election is, in some ways). Once winning and losing is no longer the point and the actual WORK is happening. The buck doesn't stop here. It's only a beginning and as a citizen of the country, you're not done.
America is in many ways advanced citizenship. You really gotta want it, it's not passive. It's a continuous process.
I'm not saying become an activist. Hell, don't. Only if you are honestly and truly passionate about something and have the will and desire to devote a large chunk of yourself to it, I encourage you to become an activist. And I know some of you are and can and that's wonderful and I love to see that. But don't be a bumper sticker activist. Please.
You can vote with your dollar. Don't pay for things you don't believe in. You can vote with your voice. Check in on those people you voted for! It's a lot like what people say about college professors--you're paying for them, so if they do something you don't like, you have a say. Same with your politicians. You pay for them!
It's quite obvious that you have a say. I hate that it had to come to an election for ya'll to realize that, because you've had it all along. Advanced citizenship. It's not a party, it's not a politician, it's each and every person being willing to take responsibility for their say.
When I see things like Proposition 8 passing, I know we still have a LONG way to go. Not to be a buzzkill, but seriously. A long way.
Don't turn this into another Carter era. (and here's the wiki on Carter, for those of you that aren't as into history as I am, I suggest going beyond that, too) Idealism can only survive as long as people care for it.
Ideas are a great thing. In fact, to take a page from the movie Dogma, they're in some ways better than beliefs. Keep up the ideas. I know ya'll are intelligent, I don't like dumbness. XD
Anyway, I just wanted to say something before the excitement dies down and things go back to "normal". Find something, one thing that you'll be willing to keep an eye on. Be it a representative, or a policy, or an ideology. Not every one of you is in a position of immediate power or influence, but you have the power granted to you by the Constitution.
At the very least? Educate yourself. Actually listen in US History! If you feel it's biased, then study it on your own. Understand that all that is happening has probably happened before, and will happen again, that knowledge is power. Understand you government! I had the privilege of going and learning about it pretty first-hand, but not all of you will get that, so you'll have to find a way. Understand your tax code! I know that's hard, but look at your paychecks and figure out where it's going. Look at your sales tax. Look at properties.
And remember apathy is what got us the last eight years. I know most of you didn't entirely like everything that happened.
~Cendri
P.S. Oh, and be nice to your conservative friends (and vice versa). Nothing is truly red and blue.
