My friend Nick and I were discussing a class he was taking on organizations. One thing he learned is that an organization is more than any one person. It is a set of activities and patterns. The organization must be bigger than even the person who founded it in order for the organization to endure. If the success or failure is solely contingent on one person, then when that person becomes unable to run the organization, it will die. As I thought about our discussion, it occurred to me that the principles that determine an organization’s success must also determine the success of our nation. When we encounter a national crisis or difficult constitutional question, we tend to look to our founding fathers for the answer. We cite their writings and speeches as support for our chosen solution to the situation. Their advice is valuable and should be considered, but we must realize that the principles that govern our nation are bigger than even the founding fathers. Through out our history, the leaders that followed Washington and Jefferson have used the original founders as guides in their decisions; but, at the same time, they realized that they could improve upon what the founders had accomplished. Over the past 200 years, slavery has been abolished, and equal rights have been assured for all citizens. We now need to continue the legacy begun over 200 years ago and make this nation better than it has ever been.
The philosophy of Politivote plays a part in accomplishing this. With each vote we cast, we have the power to influence our representatives and make a positive impact on our nation. As more and more people register with and use the site, the contribution of Politivote to the betterment of our nation will increase.
Posts Tagged ‘Citizens’
A Key to our Nation’s Survival
Saturday, February 27th, 2010The Scott Brown Election: Democracy Put into Action
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 Over the past week, Republican Scott Brown’s victory in Massachusetts has been a hot item in the news. This was a startling upset because Massachusetts traditionally has been known as a democratic state. Now, however, one of its senate seats has gone to the Republicans. This is an example of people taking control over their politics. Regardless of the traditionally democratic leaning of the state, the people’s voice was heard.
This year is an election year, and we at Politivote encourage people to participate in our government. We invite everyone to come to our site, register, and participate. The people who participated in the Massachusetts election have set the example for all of us to get politically involved. The election of Scott Brown shows that despite of all predictions, if the people want something to happen, and they let their voice be heard, it will happen. The odds were against Scott Brown’s winning the election. Yet, he won because enough people wanted that to happen and got involved politically. The purpose of this article isn’t to promote Scott Brown’s agenda, but merely to show that the people can influence the course of politics through active participation.
I encourage the reader to follow the example of the citizens who were involved in the Massachusetts election and register for Politivote. We provide another opportunity to let your voice be heard. We accumulate federal and state legislation and we have an instrument on the site that can be used to vote on the legislation. We store the votes on these bills, and will eventually send them to federal and state legislators. Politivote can insure that the voice of the people finds its way to our representatives and accomplishes what the people want.
Closing out 2009: Reflecting on the Past and Pressing Forward into the Future
Thursday, December 31st, 2009 The year 2009 has been the grand inaugural year for a truly great experiment in promoting and simplifying democracy. For Politivote, this has been a great year of growth and expansion. More and more people are becoming members and voting on important issues. Through out the year, health care reform, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and our economic troubles have been at the forefront of our thoughts. My experience as a member of Politivote has given me the opportunity to examine, critique, and vote on bills being brought before the legislature.
In examining these bills, I have seen good bills that will contribute to the welfare of our nation, and others that are a complete waste of time and tax payer’s money. To me, this is the essence of Politivote. We should become more knowledgeable on the areas in which our government does its job well and those that need improvement. Having gained this knowledge, we should use politivote to vote and be heard.
So, as we go into the New Year, I resolve to become more informed than I was last year about political issues that may impact my life. In addition, I will make more use of politivote to make my voice known on these issues. I strongly urge those who read this article to do the same. If you are not yet a member, go to the site and register. Your free registration allows you to vote on the bills that effect you. If you are unhappy with something that your representatives are doing, use the tools of this site to vote and be heard! In the year 2010, we can become more informed citizens and in so doing make our nation a better place.
Veterans Day
Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
Veteran Cemetary
Within the past week, there have been many developments in the news. A bill for Health Care reform has just passed the house, and President Obama is considering what to do about the war in Afghanistan. However, today it is important for us to pause and think about our veterans and their role in protecting this country. This day is set aside to commemorate those who have fought and are still fighting to keep our country safe.
Through out the twentieth century, we have had many foreign wars. Not all Americans have agreed with our participation in all of these conflicts. The Vietnam War and Iraq war are two examples. However, even if we don’t always agree with the reasons for these wars, it is the willingness of men and women to put their lives on the line for our country that we should celebrate.
There are many ways which we can show our appreciation for veterans and their sacrifices. We can give to charities that support homeless veterans. We can encourage and support legislation that expands services for veterans. We can also do our part to safeguard the freedoms veterans are fighting to protect. When we get involved as citizens, we keep our democracy alive. The reason for this is that we use the tools of democracy to help make this country better. It should be our goal to not only help our veterans directly, but to do our part to improve the nation for which they fight by our participation in its democratic system of government.
The Politivote Philosophy Put into Action
Thursday, November 5th, 2009Today, an article appeared in the New York Times on a protest being staged by conservatives against legislation proposed before Congress. “Kill the Bill,” was the refrain repeated over and over by protesters. These protesters are putting the philosophy of Politivote into action.
I have always heard that the lack of participation in politics by the citizens of this country is staggering. The space voter turn-out in elections has been seen as evidence of this political apathy. I am encouraged by the fact that people are being proactive by taking the time to make their voice heard in an issue that matters to them. I believe that this participation is evidence that people care about this country and about making a difference. While I might not agree with some of their opinions, the mere fact that they are willing to articulate them shows that citizens of this country are concerned. The worse thing you can do is to remain silent on issues that matter. This brings to mind a conversation I had with Nick (one of the founders of Politivote). He told me that he observed a gay and lesbian demonstration, and what impressed him about this demonstration was that the people did not feel they had a voice, and they wanted to make their voice heard. More and more, I have the impression that this is happening with the American people in general. There is a sense that the American people have been silent for so long, and now, they want their representatives to hear their voice.
Politivote has a role to play in the political awakening this country is experiencing. Not only do we provide an instrument to vote on the bills, we provide access to the bills themselves. People can go and read a bill and be informed in all the particulars of the bill and not have someone interpret it for them. This is another crucial component of democracy. Not only do the people have a voice, but it is an informed voice.
Source:
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/05/on-the-hill-protesters-chant-kill-the-bill/#comment-52481