Do you ever sit and think, you know what, I'd like to become more involved in politics or my local community? You can bet that powerful people and large corporations are using their vast resources to influence politics every day of every year.
Below are a few simple things you can do to act as a counterbalance.
1.
Vote: It really isn't that much to ask is it? Many nations require military or other service of not just men, but everyone.
Jury duty-admittedly not my favorite-once every two years and showing up to vote once or twice each year is all the United States asks of you.
Write in a friend, vote for the guy or gal least likely to win, just vote.
You will feel better about yourself, I promise.
2.
Neighborhood Watch/Neighborhood Council: Join your local neighborhood watch or neighborhood council, or just attend regular meetings.
You will meet people who are involved in local politics and you never know, you might make a friend or two.
You might also feel a greater stake in your local community, and it will rub off on your family and friends.
3.
Write: Write your member of congress.
Write your local city council or state or federal officials.
Does your street need repaving? Do you feel that Social Security should not be changed? Do you think that your town has one too many McDonald's? Everyone has an opinion about some political issue.
Write it down and send your thoughts to the official or representative.
You might be surprised by the results.
4.
Attend Town Halls: Your local city council or member of congress likely holds town hall meetings periodically.
Attend one of them and ask questions, or just listen.
You will meet people and you might just have fun.
5.
Volunteer: Volunteer on a campaign.
Volunteer at an animal rescue shelter.
Volunteer to be a poll worker.
On the other hand, you could just volunteer somewhere that shares your beliefs and attempts to influence politics concerning an issue that is important to you.
The benefit is that you will meet people like you, and you are already are quite fond of you, so more of you is even better.
6.
Stop complaining: No one wants to listen to someone who does nothing but complain or spew negativity.
If you want to influence people to believe what you believe about an issue, approach it thoughtfully and state you case clearly.
You will be far more difficult to ignore.
7.
Sign or create petitions: Do you have an issue that is important to you? If so, look online for petitions that support your ideas of the change that you would like to make.
Search Change.
org or other sites.
You could even draft your own petition.
Do you want to save that 200 year old tree from being cut down to make room for a new mini-mall? Start a petition.
8.
Stop saying "I can remember when...
" We can all remember a fonder time, a time when we all had lots of money and the kids roamed the neighborhood playing kickball and hide and seek without fear.
All the neighborhood house owners left Halloween candy on the front stoop and no one took more than their fair share.
When you needed a new roof everyone pitched in and built it.
First, it was never the way you remember.
Second, it does nothing to move your beliefs forward.
Say something that makes it more likely that the future will resemble what you mistakenly believe the past was like.
9.
Frequent local small businesses: Local small businesses are much like you; they want what is best for the local community, city, and state.
Local businesses also engage local, state, and federal elected officials about many of the same issues that are important to you.
Local business owners tend to spend their profits right there in your community.
The large chain stores and restaurants don't care about you or your community, they care about sales and profits.
10.
Watch less TV: It does not matter what you do instead of watching television, but it will undoubtedly be more productive than doing so.
You can even work on doing any of 1-9 above.
In fact, I recommend that highly.