A continuing argument from those politically active members of the board is that we should not complain if we don't vote.
I completely agree that voting is an important way of expressing preference in an election.
However, the US system preferences only 2 successful political parties by design, and that makes it impossible for citizens to express their interests by merely voting for the candidate or party of choice. In all democracies, the role of a party is to build an election-winning coalition in order to fulfill what it perceives is most important to its citizens and its country. Foreign democracies sometimes have many parties that vie for power, and they attain power by building coalitions, negotiating issues, and making clear what their intentions are. It is easier for them because they don't have to cover every issue the way that 2-party systems do. In a 2-party system, like the United States, parties build coalitions of voters instead of coalitions with other parties. It is more important to appeal to certain demographics, and those demographics tend to vote based on what policies affect them. Both systems are equally good as far as policy and governance. The problem, however, with representing the populace in a 2-party system is that it is unclear what mandate a party has upon taking office. It could be one issue or another, and public officials are extremely uncertain of what policies are most important to those who voted for them. All elected officials have this problem, but it is worse in 2-party systems because most candidates address a wider range of issues since their party addresses more issues than parties in countries that have to build political coalitions.
In order to make clear what you want your elected official to do, you have to contact your elected official. It is their job to represent you, and they will do it if you tell them what values you want them to represent. You are your official's boss, and you should pull rank whenever they question you. As the constituent, you have the power to vote for or against the official come election day. In between, you have the power to pick up your phone and call the office of the man or woman representing your district, state, and country anytime you please.
:flag1: This is the most compelling thing about American democracy. You have the power to influence policy simply by calling. Very few people contact their legislators, so they act on their beliefs rather than yours. Idiots like Florida's Senator Nelson pop up and sway those who believe CAFE regulations are good, and we end up not getting what we want. Had a bunch of people in Florida called his office, he would never have co-sponsored legislation raising CAFE standards.
It might not feel like you're making a difference when you call. Sometimes, they just won't do what you ask, but it is important that you express dissent anyway because it makes them uneasy about neglecting opinions in the future. As more people call with perspectives different than theirs, they will be compelled to change their policy preferences from how they feel to how their constituents feel or they will lose their office. The problem in the previous sentence is that it assumes that people care how their elected officials vote.
If you care, then you will act. All you have to do is sit at the computer for a few minutes to figure out the phone number. You can call any publicly elected official. Their office number is public record. Don't expect to talk to the President or even your local officials. Expect some secretary to take a message for you, but ask to be called back or to speak to the elected official anyway because it shows that the issue is important. In any case, the elected official will get the message. It will make them think about the way that they vote, and your call may change their mind.
Can you imagine the pride of changing policy?
Not many people call to thank an elected official for their service and ask them to serve their constituency by changing their political opinion on 1 piece of legislation.
Your call could very well turn an unattainable majority into a signed bill—a law, public policy. Your call could be the difference between never happening and the standard policy of the United States or whichever country you reside.
Voting isn't enough. Express yourself. At the end of a 5-minute phone call, you'll feel empowered that you expressed your opinions and values to the person who represents you. It is their job to represent your values, and they can only do that so long as you express what you want.
I appreciate your time reading this long post. Do all of us a favor. Contact your elected officials and ask them to save the American auto industry.
:flag2: