APPROACHING OFFICIALS
Elected officials and other government employees expect to hear from
the public, and do. And citizens may or may not have their facts straight.
If you have ideas about a specific issue or project, learn all you can
about it beforehand. If you study a matter, you may soon know more about
it than your representative. Don't be shy about asking for information
(even copies of documents) from government employees. Most are accustomed
to it, and in any case you have a right to the information. Find out which
person or government body will make the final decision on a given matter.
It's no use "barking up the wrong tree".
You have every right to speak for your own interests, but if you speak
for the interests of others as well, your voice will be magnified.
Approach your representative by phone, in person, or in writing as you
prefer. For prominent persons who may receive many emails, letters are
probably better. Be respectful. Most officials are acting for the good
of the community as they see it. Make your points clearly, and offer to
supply additional information. Ask what he/she thinks. Consider contacting
representatives from other districts as well. Do this well ahead of any
scheduled vote or decision.
Be prepared for government at every level to move very slowly. It can
be frustrating, but it's par for the course. It doesn't necessarily mean
nothing is happening.
And don't underestimate the long-term value of educating the public;
government generally is responsive to public opinion in the long run,
for better or (sometimes) for worse. As a private citizen, you can do
some things that would be inappropriate for officials, such as organizing
other citizens, or publicizing issues.
EXCUSES
"The people with the money control everything anyway."
"A select group calls all the shots."
These things might occasionally be true, but there are plenty of times
when underfunded candidates have beaten well-heeled incumbents, Roy Barnes
beat Guy Milner for Georgia's governorship, tho' Milner outspent him.
In Cherokee County, after years of unchecked development, Emily Lemke
defeated a Commission Chairman who outspent her five-to-one. In Athens,
over two hundred citizens turned out to tell Eckerd Drugs they didn't
want a large store in Five Points. Eckerd retreated. Al Norman (www.sprawl-busters.com)
lists 118 American communities where "big box" stores have withdrawn or
redesigned their plans in response to opposition by residents.
Businesses HATE controversy. Politicians don't much like it either.
ACT, DON'T REACT
Abuses in government and in society didn't start yesterday, and won't
be solved overnight. Society changes slowly, yet always changes. Some
of today's problems grow from yesterday's 'solutions'. Modern social issues
aren't simple as they were 50 years ago. It takes time and reading to
see how the system works.
Take the long view of issues where possible, and give your ideas time
to mature. Read widely and critically. Getting involved with community
groups is a good way to learn.
Form your own picture of your community's future, and test it against
reality. Maintain your independence of thought, and listen to your opponents.
Respect can be a powerful tool in searching for common ground.
You won't always win, and you shouldn't always lose; pick your battles
carefully. There will be more to come.
FACTS AND FIGURES
"Follow the money."
"We can't afford it."
Compared to Federal and even state governments, local government is a
poor relation. At the local level wasted money or questionable projects
get looked at more closely. Taxpayers howl if property taxes go up; officials
try not to raise them. Federal dollars are available for some things--usually
with strings attached. This produces oddities like the bike path that
doesn't go anywhere, or heavy spending on new roads, but little for new
sidewalks.
In studying issues, try to weigh what things cost. "Don't let the
perfect be the enemy of the good." There are always compromises.
Government (except at the Federal level!) really isn't made of money.
But sometimes priorities are out of whack.
Government may seem at times to blindly pursue policies that are ridiculous.
Thru poor management, established institutions and policies may fail to
change with the times. Democracy is imperfect. It often follows-but rarely
leads-the public will. Those who expect democracy to defend their interests
without their participation may be disappointed.
QUOTES
"Never underestimate what can be accomplished if you don't care who
gets the credit." -Anonymous
"To action alone thou hast a right, and never at all to its fruits."
-Bhagavad-Gita
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Chinese
Proverb
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