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In the United States, individuals have an incredibly powerful political voice. The problem is we don’t realize it. Every couple of years we have the opportunity (or perhaps the duty) to cast votes in elections ranging from the town level to the national level. When you consider the sheer number of elections at the various levels of government, you begin to realize that you have a great deal of say on how your town, village, state, and federal government are run.
Unfortunately, cynicism has eroded the opinion of voting and a lot of us simply don’t do it. This cynicism might cause you to think that you have no say; no influence. Further, it is easy to think that once an election is over, we’ve had our say in the process, that we’ve given our blessing for the newly elected (or reelected) to act on our behalf, and there’s nothing left for us to do. This is simply not true. While I encourage everyone to be an educated voter, voting is not our only tool with which to speak. Arguably, a more powerful tool exists: Your pen.
Your vote is, in any given election, a single-use item. But there is no limit on how many times you can write your representatives and express your opinions and concerns on the issues of the day. Though you shouldn’t be, considering it is our representatives’ jobs to field our concerns, you will be surprised at how effective this is, and with that comes a growing confidence in your ability to participate in and influence the system. When we write, they listen.
You might ask, “How do I do this?” It’s easy. You can send them email or regular mail, and they will respond. I’ve contacted my representatives on three issues in the last five months and have received responses from all of them.
You can find your Congressmen and women HERE.
You can find your Senators HERE.
Look here for NYS Senators and Assemblypersons.
If you have any questions, feel free to post a comment and I’ll get back to you. Also, if you’ve any successes or experiences you wish to share, please do the same.
Remember: You’ve a voice. Please; use it.
Halen Allison, of Avoca, is a former United States Marine and has worked as an intelligence analyst for the military and government since 1998, serving in Japan, Afghanistan, and Germany. He has spent most of his adult life writing, both in an official capacity and in his personal life, on topics ranging from current events, history, and politics. After 13 years of travelling, Halen has recently returned to his hometown of Avoca, NY, where he is pursuing a master’s degree in Classical History.
“It is my hope that this blog will help generate interest and discussion in current events and political matters. “I aim to write engaging, well-argued pieces that will draw the reader in and compel him or her to consider perspectives far different from the mainstream.”
Ed Spencer’s professonal experience includes more than two dozen years as a professional journalist, where he was also a noted community activist. He also founded and owned a for-profit financial services firm, as well as a not-for-profit financial and legal services company that also offered training and workshops on issues surrounding persons with disabilities for schools and businesses. He is a pastor, a TEPE parenting educator, and a teacher, facilitator and trainer for Bridges Out of Poverty. He has pastored in five churches, and most recently founded Reverb Ministries in Bath. He is a member of the Bath Citizens Advisory Council and served on the Town of Bath committee that created a comprehensive land use plan.
“I want to present new perspectives and offer sometimes challenging thoughts. As King Solomon wrote, ‘There is nothing new under the sun.’ What remains for us is to rediscover truth. My personal mission statement (is) ‘Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.’”
