Do your part to make government and non-governmental issues work for you.

brianlux

Fairly often on these forums I have read some people here complain about how government does nothing for us.  I think it's important to address this issue.  Regard the U.S., Abraham Lincoln talked about "Government of the people, by the people, for the people".   By the people is our responsibility.  This means that if we want government to work for us, we need to participate. 

Here is a small example of how that works:

I live in a dangerous fire-hazard portion of the Western Slope foothills of the Sierra Nevada.  Last year, one of our towns to the north essentially burned to the ground.  There is now a lot of concern about fire hazard in these hills.  I have attended a few local Fire Safety Council meetings this year and have heard a number of people rail against the government because "they aren't doing what they should to protect us."  A few weeks ago, rather than join in on the ranting, I made a few calls a wrote a few letter to our Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) regarding some road/fire  safety issues in our neighborhood.  This led to the Deputy Director of Road Maintenance coming out to meet with me to look at some of these issues.  I was very respectful to the Deputy and thanked him for meeting with me.  The end result is that some of these issues will be taken care of by the D.O.T.   One of those issues is the removal of a large dead cedar right next to the roadway.  I explained that if this cedar were to fall during a fire event, egress from the area for many folks would be blocked.  I was informed that technically that tree is the responsibility of the land owner but (likely because of my tactful approach, as opposed to simply bitching) that tree will be removed by D.O.T. in due order.  A few other issues on our road will also see repairs happen.

This is but one simple example of how personal action in areas that are government controlled can lead to results that make our lives better.  I think one of the fundamental problems with government in the U.S. (and perhaps elsewhere) is people's unwillingness to be a part of the process.  Look how many people fail to even vote! 

Now please understand, I am NOT seeking kudos here.  I simply want to encourage more people to take an active part in helping make our lives better by taking part in the process.

We can also do things to make life better outside of government.  One of the things we have talked about in our area is getting neighborhood work-crews together to help clear up some of the tree and brush issues along the road that D.O.T. will not handle.  Personal involvement is part of this process as well.

Meltdown99

When I say I never look to the government for help, I really mean the politicians...neither would exist without taxpayers.  People who work in the government are fine people, politicians not so much.

That's nice of them to remove the tree for you...

Buy that man dinner someday 

dankind

I provide our governor free fertilizer by letting my dog shit in his yard. I get hard stares from the state police guarding his house in return.

cincybearcat

My family's taxes pay for at a minimum 1 person's salary each year for a good government job.  Pretty sure I'm doing my part even if I do nothing else

dankind

Kidding aside. I do call my senators and representatives at the state and federal level when something is obviously wrong. 

Similar to Brian, I’ve called about trees—one blocking a traffic light at an elementary school’s crosswalk. I’ve also called about national concerns. 

Thing is, my wife works with (or attempts to anyway) the federal government, so I hear about her frustrating experiences as someone with something of a fast pass to nothingdoing, and it can be disheartening. I still make the calls, though.

One local representative who’s always very responsive is Congressman Seth Moulton. Not that he ever had a chance, but still, I’m glad he bowed out of the presidential race because he does good work right where he is.

brianlux

dankind said:

Kidding aside. I do call my senators and representatives at the state and federal level when something is obviously wrong. 

Similar to Brian, I’ve called about trees—one blocking a traffic light at an elementary school’s crosswalk. I’ve also called about national concerns. 

Thing is, my wife works with (or attempts to anyway) the federal government, so I hear about her frustrating experiences as someone with something of a fast pass to nothingdoing, and it can be disheartening. I still make the calls, though.

One local representative who’s always very responsive is Congressman Seth Moulton. Not that he ever had a chance, but still, I’m glad he bowed out of the presidential race because he does good work right where he is.

Nicely don, Dan!

As for the part about frustration of government "donothingness", I totally get it.  That will only change when we demand it changes.  No easy task, for sure, but we if we share in donothingness, we're doing the same not doing!