An email from a colleague recently crossed my desk regarding H.R. 3359, the US and the World Education Act. H.R. 3359 is designed to raise student achievement in international education by a) increasing competence and literacy of school teachers and b) supporting curricular and extra-curricular programs that supplement international education. Pretty good cause, huh?
In the email was a statement from a congressman who said "If you think that your input doesn't count, imagine that in my office, we NEVER hear from constituents on about 98% of all the bills that make its way through the legislature. 98%!!!"
Although the number is probably an estimate, I was shocked to learn that statistic. During my time as a political science major and my volunteer time with organizations such as APIA Vote, I became very interested in civic participation and having a voice. We do have a government that is, after all, by the people and for the people, so why wouldn't I want to participate?
It seems that we often take advantage of the fact that we have so much freedom to petition our government freely. Not everyone has that, you know? And nations that aren't blessed with this privilege are willing to fight for it. It seems that the more we're denied these freedoms, the more we value them. Since we as Americans have always had this allowance, is it true that we don't value it as much?
Why, for instance, does voter turnout decrease during non-presidential elections when the elections for Congressmen and local office are more likely to affect constituents? In a crucial time in our history when our nation is at a significant turning point, I urge all Americans to participate in the civic process, make their representatives earn their money and use their voices to advocate legislation that matters to them.
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