Chris on Nostr: I wrote this 14 years ago as a fresh college grad and it’s still true today- Here ...

I wrote this 14 years ago as a fresh college grad and it’s still true today-

Here are the two things that need to change with regards to attitudes towards American politics: apathy and diehard partisanship. It seems obvious, but, the sheer number of people complaining that don't do anything about it are overwhelming. Oh, you're dissatisfied with Congress? Do something about it. Write a letter. Make a phone call. Join a cause.

Having interned on Capitol Hill, the one thing I can truly say I became familiar with was handling constituent mail. The problem with writing letters/making phone calls, at least in the office where I was, was the Senator rarely ever got to read it/talk to you. 100% of the mail is handled by staff, entered into a database, stored, and replied to within a few weeks (written by interns, proofread by staff, and stamp signed by the Senator). The only way your letter or phone call becomes worthwile is if a large amount of people are also doing it. This allows the staff to gather a snapshot of important issues from their voters based on the sheer number of letters/phone calls received. This also makes it more likely that your Congressperson will act or sponser a bill that deals with the issues the constituents deem most important.

Now for diehard partisanship, and this goes for both Republicans and Democrats. Seeing things in a black and white manner is dangerous and damaging to society. That's how people begin to hate each other. It also makes compromising a much less available option because it's seen as giving in to the "evil" other side. Try to realize that both sides want to look out for the best interest of American people. It's certainly good to be skeptical but no politican got elected on a campaign to bring people down. They simply want to act in the best interest of those that elected them. Before you launch into a fiery tirade about Obama's socialist agenda, read the details of the bill and learn what socialism is.

And, while I'm on the subject, READ!!! Watching the news on TV is a sure fire way to take in as little information as possible about a subject, make up your mind about the subject, and use that tidbit of information to base your opinions on. You'll probably forget what you saw on the TV 24 hours after seeing it, but the attitude you got from it will stay. It's not television's fault-- it's a widely available medium and it's quite entertaining. It's your job to go beyond the passive buzz of the television and actively use your mind to read something. Certainly, reading can be just as partisan as television, but if you are actually looking for details and not summaries, you will find yourself making your own opinions rather than what you are simply told to think.