A buddy who I met on a cross-country train trek a few years ago sent me a note today. His question is relevant to everyone, everywhere. Hence, I have decided to post his letter, and the great majority of my response, here.

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From: Billium
Date: Apr 26, 2007 6:10 AM


You make me want to move out to Olympia to vote you into office, and at some point obtain office myself. I think I'd like to be sheriff. If you need any east coast help getting elected, I don't know how you could, but if you do, I'm here for you. Lord knows we need a change. -Bill

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Hey Bill... Good to hear from you. :)

What I'm doing here in Oly can (and should) be done everywhere. Voting my be a Constitutionally protected right, but that right didn't exist before people fought and died for it. Hence, it is honestly a coveted privilidge.

People are under the impression that we elect leaders to office. This is somewhat true when voting for the President, but more correctly, we vote for people to represent us. When was the last time your Senator or Representative came back from Washington DC and said: "Ok people... bill HR-432a has come up for a vote, and it's a bit tricky. Voting yes will do (a) and voting no will do (b). How do you want me to vote?"

Better yet, when was the last time a City Council person asked a similar question? Here in Oly the Council has held meetings and listened to people say (with amazing popularity) "Vote NO!" and the Council has gone ahead and voted "Yes" anyway.

This is not a textbook example of representative government, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

I'm trying to encourage people to vote in their local elections (which currently have about a 20% turn out) and vote for the person (*not* the party - but the PERSON) who you feel will actually listen to the People who put them in power.

If you want to help me, get involved and run with this responsive democracy as part of your platform. If that isn't your bag (but it could be... you do have "those eyes") then try reposting my Ballot Box Revolution piece (currently on this page, and in my blog on the other page) everywhere.

The People have the power in this nation. Anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to take away your Divinely-given control over your own destiny.

If we all act locally we can effect the nation, and from there, the world.

Be in control. Be the Government.