So What Can I Do About It?

REPRTINTED FROM LAST DECEMBER

My blogs explore issues, examine controversies and point out some of the most impactful governmental actions or inactions that could alter our lives in a very big way. Occasionally, I suggest solutions, some unpopular with those who serve elected office. Many of my readers ask, “But what can I do about it?” The notion of being one dot in a sea of people belies the power that American citizens really have as “squeaky wheels,” demanding responses from those in elected office.

When you care, you need to communicate those feelings with your representatives. If you think they need to see an article that you found important in my blog, send them the link with your thoughts. Communicate!!!! Squeaky wheels have a very deep impact on how elected officials vote and act. Silence suggests that what they are doing is OK with you.

Buckminster Fuller coined a great term some years ago: "trimtabbing." A large ocean liner has an equally massive rudder. The rudder is so large, in fact, that it can't be turned by itself. These huge rudders consequently have much smaller rudders of their own called trimtabs. Turning that smaller trimtab would cause the rudder to turn which would then turn the ship. Mr. Fuller compared the ship of state to a huge ship at sea. He reckoned that the government was much too massive for one person to be able to effect real change, however if that person instead focused on the trimtabs of government, (elected representatives, government administrators, and the media) one person COULD make a difference.

Don’t know who your representatives are? Well, at the federal level, you can use this site to identify those representing your constituency based on place of residence:http://act.commoncause.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sunlight_advocacy_list_page

For State elected officials, try:

https://www.usa.gov/states-and-territories

And for local officials, there is:

https://www.usa.gov/local-governments

Want to contact the political parties, here you go:

For Democrats - http://my.democrats.org/page/s/contact

For Republicans, you can email: ecampaign@gop.com

Keep in mind that a handwritten, mailed note carries much more weight than something printed off a computer or emailed. It shows them that this topic was important enough to you to take pen in hand to write an original note and buy a stamp.

Letters to the editor are also an excellent way to communicate. (whether online or in print) Write to your localregional and national news outlets. Try to reference something specific in their previous reporting that you are responding to. If you do get something published, let your representatives know about it. The internet also offers you access to a worldwide audience. If something is important to you and you feel you have something constructive to add to the conversation on a continuous basis, start your own blog.

Yes, my blogs are intended to inform, influence and often to change. Over the past 8 years, I've posted more than 2500 articles on a pretty wide variety of topics I care about. Some of my work might be amusing, other writings scary, but when any issue resonates with you, when you think someone should do something about it, please spread the word. Talk to people about that issue, or encourage them to read that blog. Then, and most important, communicate to those who are charged with representing you interests in government. The more voices they hear, the more likely they'll be to take action.

I’m Peter Dekom, and yes you really can have an impact if you just try!!!