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An American's Work Is Never Done

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 4, 2009

The election is history. The oaths of office have been taken. From Pasco County all the way to Washington, D.C., we have new representatives to help lead us into the future. Our work as Americans is done until the next round of elections, right?

Wrong!

The fact of the matter is the work of average Americans is only beginning. It is still our right, our duty and our responsibility to keep up with the issues and voice our opinions every step of the way. Just because we've cast our ballots and made our choices doesn't mean we have no say in what happens over the next few years. We do have a say if only we'd exercise the right.

The other day I listened to a very frustrated man speak to a radio talk show host about some of the problems facing America today. The man said he votes in every election, but just didn't know what else he could do to get his strong dissatisfaction for the present state of affairs across. He honestly didn't know that representatives from county government on up to the president in the White House are supposed to be available to the people. While they might not always act as we want them to, they are there to listen to our concerns and hear our input. In some cases, a few even listen and respond accordingly.

I brought up the radio show's exchange with a friend of mine. She told me her grandmother wanted to write her congresswoman about an issue of concern. She thought, however, that since the representative was a Republican and she is a Democrat that she was not allowed to voice her opinion. My friend, needless to say, had a difficult time convincing her grandmother that it was acceptable and even encouraged to write.

All of this brings me to my point. America is meant to be a representative democracy where the people are free to speak their minds. Yes, it's true we citizens don't get to vote on every issue or proposal - that's what our representatives are for. We do, however, have every right to speak up about things that worry us. It is our elected officials' duty to hear what constituents have to say - Republican or Democrat - and act in the best interest of those they represent. While this doesn't always happen, it sometimes does when people put in the effort to communicate directly with those in office.

As America faces some of the biggest threats in her history, now is the time for the average Joe to remember that voting in elections isn't always enough. If we want to have a say in how our representatives handle such things as the economy, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, foreign relations, universal health care and more, we have to get active. We cannot be afraid to send a letter, fire off an e-mail or even pick up the phone. If we forget to exercise our rights or fail to pay attention, we could all end up paying in the long run.

It is the job of elected officials to represent. It is the job of the people to mind the store and hold them to the fire. May our work never be done.

Sherri Lonon is the editor of In The Loop

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