OK, I have to get this off my chest.........
By mehale
@mehale (2200)
United States
September 8, 2007 9:28am CST
It seems that everywhere we turn now days, people are complaining about the mess our country is in and what needs to have been fixed. I know most everyone sees the same things: here at mylot, on television, in the newspaper, on the radio, in the grocery stores - these useless complaints are everywhere. Hardly a day goes by that I don't hear or see the phrase "I can't believe our government is trying to do THAT!" or something similar. However, when it really comes down to it everyone simply wants to gripe and complain but they won't actually try to do anything to change things.
I think that America needs to educate themselves about our government - take a refresher in government, history, and economics. Then armed with that knowledge, we will have a better idea just exactly WHAT got us where we are, and will also have the knowledge to fight and change the things we don't like while working inside the system. Our government has become way to big to fight and win other wise. The only way I can see we have a chance to fignt and win, or improve anything here in the United States, it to work with the system - and use it to change things! For example, if a senator or congressman is trying to get a bill passed that American's don't want, bombard their office with phone calls, emails, and snail mail letters. This is the best way to try to stop them and get our point of view accross to them. It also stands the chance of locking up the phone lines and certainly their internet service. This is one of the best ways to get our government's attention.
If we don't begin to fignt against the things they are doing that we don't like, want, or approve of, then the government as a whole will only get bigger, more power hungry, and control even more aspects of our life. If we don't do something soon, we will wind up giving up all of our individual rights and freedoms that this country is supposed to be based on! Then where will we be?
5 people like this
8 responses
@tallpaulno44a (1574)
• United States
8 Sep 07
I have two points to make in this subject:
1) I am quite thankful that I live in a country where people are allowed to express their opinions on the government - even negative opinions - without fear of retribution;
2) WAY too many people disenfranchise themselves by neglecting to vote. Year in and year out, over 50% of those eligible to vote actually do so. Remember: decisions are made by those who show up.
1 person likes this
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
8 Sep 07
I do agree with you,I have always voted,I beleive this is a main reason I am able to have my say.
My main problem with the Canadian system is that they have it by population,and as more than half the country is in the east,and we in the west do not have a chance to stop them from putting in the crooks I fully beleive that the only way to stop all the corruption in politics is to stop lawyers and the super rich from running for office.
As everyone knows,the lawyers are taught to be liers and thieves in school and the rich only want to get richer,so everyone else has to pay.
I do beleive as you do tallpaul,and at this time,we do still have a voice,(they know what would happen if they try taking to many rights all at once.
1 person likes this
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
14 Sep 07
I agree with you,but the unfortunate problem is,is that there realy is no one that can run without being at least somewhat of a crook.
The major problem with finding the right people is that it costs so much to be able to run that only the rich are able to.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Sep 07
I have to agree with you on both points! My husband and I drive a truck cross country for a living and as such many times we have to take advantage of the absentee voting, but we do always vote. We know many people who drive as well, and they are guilty of only voting if they are home when the elections take place. If more would vote, as well as express their opinions with calls, letters, and emails I believe that we would be able to change things and make improvements.
@dobyladysaturn (151)
• United States
9 Sep 07
Yes, taking a refresher course in history, government and economics would open many peoples eyes about why things operate the way they do and they might actually be awake for this class this time. Voting is something that would help also. Voting people out of office that actually don't do their job as the majority of the population wants would be a start. Politicians would get the message that when they take office they are there to serve the people not themselves or their friends. They should have to show their votes and attendence after all that is what we pay them for. While I am at it, I believe they should do something about the price of oil and gas. The public should be asked to vote on raises and benifits not the ones that are in office. They should also be asked to vote on important laws and changes that affect our lives. Hopefully this will help keep our freedoms that this proud country was based on.
1 person likes this
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Sep 07
Both of you make good points here. I forgot to mention the fact that we could actually look at their voting records and use this to help make our decisions when we vote. And yes, if more people would vote it would help. I also have to agree that something has to be done about oil and gas prices. We spend several thousand dollars a month on diesel just to run our truck, deliver the loads, and make a living. You would not believe how expensive it is. It also has a lot to do with the cost of living and groceries - it cost more to run the truck and therefore it costs more to purchase the goods.
@dobyladysaturn (151)
• United States
10 Sep 07
You are correct I had forgotten that. I guess I also need a refresher course in government, history and economics also. I still say that the public needs to vote on raises and benifits and on important laws and changes that affect our lives.
1 person likes this
@visitorinvasion (7709)
• United States
9 Sep 07
Excellent rant!
I agree wholeheartedly.
Been saying it for nearly a year now.
Research, educate yourselves, etc.
Thank you so much for saying all this & keep fighting the good fight.
--Shannon
1 person likes this
@mac1946 (1602)
• Calgary, Alberta
8 Sep 07
At least you do have a choice,you can impeach the President or even just one member of the government you find offensive.
Here in Canada,we lost all our rights to get rid of the commie pr**k's that have taken over Canada since the traitor trudeu became the Prime minister of our country.
And so long as only one or two provinces are putting them in,the rest of us get the knife in the back.
Be thankfull.
1 person likes this
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
9 Sep 07
and...........
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PEOPLE!!!!! STOP LISTENING TO HOLLYWOOD AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR YOUR POLITICAL INFORMATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
9 Sep 07
Absolutely! We in Canada are in the same position. Our politicians seem to be out of touch. We wonder why we have no brilliant Leaders. Promises are broken and Money given to their friends. I never miss a chance to vote, but many voters are discouraged and have lost Hope. Political scandles happen too often. Whats the answer?
@mehale (2200)
• United States
11 Sep 07
If we could get more people to go back to voting, that would be that many more voices to change things. If you add up the numbers of the people who won't vote, they would give us more than enough power to make changes. Along with phone calls, emails, and letters that should help too. Not sure if it would actually be enough - but it would be a great start before things go to far.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
27 Oct 07
I do agree that the Government has alot of power and if they are trying to do things that society doesn't want done, we should do everything we can to not let it go through.
At the same time, I also believe that morals have taken a horrible beating and very few ppl actually have the morals that most of us were taught as children.
Someone once said "If you put a frog in a pot of boiling water, it will promptly die. But if you put a frog in a pot of cool water and slowly heat it to boiling, the frog will sit comfortably until it's too late". I think that says alot. We put up with the little things that are wrong and before we know it, they've turned into the big problems we have today.
!!HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~
1 person likes this
@nehenderson (140)
• United States
8 Sep 07
When the people stop just complaining and start acting with their voice, e-mail, phone calls and really get involved or at least interested in what our government does and says on behalf of the American people{that is really what it is supposed to be} it wont change. To change things one first needs to see the and decide that "I" can have a say and that "my" vote just might make the difference nothing will change. The only way to voice our opinion is with our constitutional right to vote. If we do not, government of the people, by the people, and for the people just might disappear from the earth!
1 person likes this
