When I was younger, griping about politics or taxes or whatever was easy, but being able to do something about it? Didn't have a clue... the two options of "write your congressman" and "vote" didn't sound appealing enough to me.
Move forward a few years to present time, and the information age has caught up with government. It's now so much easier to research topics of interest, current issues, and find out who can make a difference. Curious about recycling programs? Email your local waste management program. Wondering what's going on with highway repairs or green transportation? Look up the local and state plans online. Have an opinion on how the country should be run? Let the President know at http://www.whitehouse.org/! Etc, etc... the list goes on.
The information is out there, and the ability to make your voice heard is too. If you have an opinion, you've got all the tools at your disposal to be heard! Next time you're surfing, in between checking mail, watching youtube videos, and catching up on box scores, make sure to spend a few clicks to learn about what's happening in the community around you. Neighborhood, city, state, country, even global communities... what's happening and why? How does it affect you, and vice versa? Don't take anything for granted that major news networks, political ads, radical radio hosts, or the rumor mill has to say. Educate yourself on the details of what's happening, consider opposing perspectives on the issue, challenge yourself to find a constructive solution, and pass that suggestion on to those that can make a difference.
In the past few months, I've asked car manufacturers about future hybrid models, written the White House on health care, green technology, bailout plans and environment, inquired local mayors and councils on alternative transportation and pedestrian commute planning, and more! The more people that exercise their voices, the more likely we can create beneficial change. Be smart, be civil, be active, be persistant, and be heard.
You have a Voice, now go and use it!
