One would think that the vast improvements in technology would make people more connected than ever with government and the decisions that are made at the local, state and federal level.
But has it?
It's sad to see so many people not voting.
It's sad to see all the empty chairs at city council, school board and county commissioner meetings.
It's sad to see so many positions at the township and city level that are decided by a handful of votes or, worse yet, only through write-in votes because no one bothered to file.
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It's maddening to hear people complain about high taxes, yet when a tax hearing is held to discuss proposed budgets, no one attends.
It's maddening to know that people can name every character on their favorite TV sit-com but don't have a clue who represents them on the county board or which district they live in.
It's maddening to get a forwarded e-mail containing distortions and lies about a political candidate, as if it's the gospel truth without the sender taking the time to verify it for themselves.
Some people like blaming the government, politicians, the media or some other scapegoat, when the real culprits are apathetic citizens who expect government to be there for them, but not necessarily for anyone else.
These are the people who want better roads, cleaner lakes, better healthcare -- as long as they don't have to pay for it.
These are the people who, if they bother to vote, go to the polls once every couple of years but then remain silent and uninvolved until the next election rolls around.
It shouldn't be that way.
Now, more than ever, people can monitor what's happening at the local, state and federal level through credible websites that specialize in that information (including their hometown newspaper). They have more ways than ever to communicate with their elected officials through e-mails, cell phones, personal websites and social networking. They can access background information about key local issues with the touch of a few buttons from the comfort of their own homes. They can easily track when meetings will take place, who is running for election and how they can get more involved in shaping the decisions community leaders make.
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In short, it's much easier to stay in the loop today than it was before the Internet came along, yet the opportunity is being squandered. Much of the technological improvements seem to be doing nothing more than sucking up people's free time, distancing them from the very process they should be making a greater effort to get involved in.
After election day, don't be a techno-zombie and play dead to the political process until 2012. Get involved. Get to know your elected officials. Go to public meetings. Keep tabs on the issues your city council, county board or school board are dealing with. Follow what is happening at the Capitol. Be part of the solution. The opportunities are out there, begging for involvement.
A quote from an unknown author is a fitting reminder of civic responsibility: "It might be worthwhile if we stopped wringing our hands and started ringing our congressmen." -- Alexandria Echo Press
