(cross-posted from Vermont Watch, here)

“The most important political office is that of private citizen.”

                — Louis D. Brandeis

Am really looking forward to Wednesday, November 7th (2012), when we can go back to having the politicians ignoring us and we them because they will have gotten all they need of us and with us not expecting anything better or different from them: i.e., At least for those of us who bother to vote, they will receive our votes as well as the surrendering of whatever else is ours to their decision making. Absolutely nothing changes.

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.”

               — Plato

That is unless we choose to hold their feet to the fire, keeping up on what matters and organizing as well as letting them hear from us regarding our opinions and concerns about such and not accepting the status quo.

“Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have the exact measure of the injustice and wrong which will be imposed on them.”

               —  Frederick Douglass

This should not start the day after the election however, it needs to begin now, before we cast our votes and before they either get into office or are re-elected to the same.

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

               — Frederick Douglass

One person singing out might not be heard or make change, however when people sing together, it is harder to ignore the voices of a choir singing in unison, particularly when the chorus refuses to be silenced.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

               — Margaret Mead

None of this is ever easy, but it ends up becoming even harder when no one bothers to make a difference either.

“You may never know what results come of your action, but if you do nothing there will be no result.”

               — Mahatma Gandhi