Downsizing Washington D.C. is not easy. Unfortunately, our elected politicians have spent the last century consolidating money, power and influence into the hands of select politicians and special interest groups. They have created a society where corruption is a way of life, not an exception, and the American people are paying dearly for letting it happen.
But, there are ways to help curb the tide of further destruction of our constitutional freedoms. Let's take a look at how you can help to restore liberty and freedom to the country that we call home.
One of the best ways to keep your elected representatives accountable for their actions is also one of the easiest - pay attention to what's going on. Politicians count on an oblivious populace because it provides an atmosphere where their decisions largely go unnoticed (except, of course, for the decisions they want you to know about, in which case they'll hold a press conference).
Watching your elected representatives does not just include flipping to the local news in the evening. It's spending time online doing research on their voting record. Luckily, there are services online that make this very easy, like VoteSmart.org (and others), for example. The Internet provides a wealth of information regarding our politicians - the only thing left for us to do is use it.
Refuse to Vote for "Evil" Politicians
Far too many Americans admit to voting for the lesser of two evils, and the recent 2008 presidential election was no exception. Thousands of voters decided to vote for McCain, they said, not because of his positions on the issues but because they viewed him to be slightly less detrimental to this nation than Obama.
Voting like this turns our election process into a mockery. It means that Americans are content with electing "evil" politicians into office, so long as the politician they vote for isn't quite as evil as the other. Voting for the lesser of two evils contributes to the two-party system that plagues this nation and trains our political parties to believe that the American people will vote for just about anyone they put up for bid. And they respond by doing so.
Americans need to vote for the person who best represents constitutional freedom and individual liberties for the American people, and many times those candidates are members of third parties, especially the Libertarian and Constitution parties. Voting for third parties scares many people, but ask yourself one question: isn't letting our two party system continue to destroy our nation even scarier?
The problem is competition - or lack thereof. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have a reason to change because they know none of the third parties currently represent legitimate competition to their reign of power. But if Americans begin voting for third parties, it will eventually bring enough legitimate competition to the table and will force the "big two" political parties to respond to that threat. Until that happens, nothing will change. Ever.
Choosing candidates on passive terms has gotten us to this point. We can no longer afford to settle for the lesser evil as it compromises our own principles. We must convey our principles and preferences actively and communicate to Washington that we're in charge. Our first communication to the politicians should be 'Business as usual' is now bankrupt. Help us carry this message.
Remain Vocal in your Communities
The health care debate throughout the nation has brought out the best and brightest from many of us who value freedom and liberty of the American people over government control of something as important as our health care. The ability to peacefully and respectfully protest needs to be maintained and used as much as possible to help curb the tide of government consolidation of power into the hands of Washington bureaocrats.
It is very important that Americans remain active and vocal within local communities. Makie it clear to your representatives that you care about the future of this nation and are paying attention to their every move. A politician's fear of losing his or her job requires them to listen to their local constituency, at least to a degree. Use that as a tool to keep your representation honest and freedom at the forefront of their platform.
Demand Accountability from your Representatives
This goes hand-in-hand with paying attention to what your representation is doing in Congress. Ensure they are fulfilling their obligation to protect the freedom and security of the American people. Do research. Keep up to date on the issues of the day. When your local politicians speak don't just hear their words, but listen to the meaning of their words and match it against their record of accomplishments, if any.
It is much too easy to bamboozle the American people into thinking a political figure is something that he or she isn't. They are professional speakers. They are managers. They know what you want to hear and when you want to hear it. After all, career politicians cannot spend the majority of their adult lives within the halls of Congress if they do not possess a keen ability to win over large populations with often fluffy rhetoric and pie-in-the-sky promises. Politics 101 is still very much in use today. The sooner that voters see through it, the sooner that Americans will see change - real change - for the better.
Teach your Kids Responsibility
Kids really are our future. If our children are brought up to expect things to be provided to them, they will naturally run their lives in a fashion that depends on the government to provide for their livelihood. And they will vote accordingly. Irresponsibility breads government dependence.
Teaching kids to take responsibility for their actions and to respect the value of hard work is essential to creating a future where the people of our society are productive and efficient, rather than drains on the resource provided by the rest of us. Teach your kids that they do not have a right to scream in restaurants or on airplanes, or to get money handed to them every time they ask. Money must be earned. Respect must be earned - earned with hard work and determination.