It may not be possible to have leaders who are not after power and gratification, but I wish that it were.
The elections didn't turn out the way you wanted. The candidates you wanted failed to win office. Now you have to survive the whole length of the terms of candidates you opposed. Nothing to do, but wait it out. Everything's going to hell!
Don't give up! Those elected are your representatives. Although they may not agree with your party or view, they have promised to serve you. If you have a problem, they may be responsive. Representatives may be able to help you at the level they represent with problems you may have at city, county, state, or federal levels of government, and that is their job. Further, to please constituents; a representative may vote or act in opposition to his own party lines. If you want something from your representatives, make your will known.
Your representatives should work for you. That is the job they begged you to give them. Most of the time they are responsive to their constituents; especially if they intend to continue their careers in public service. The party line is not as important as public opinion; and as we often see, parties change positions to please the public.
Now truth is another matter. Most of the time, politicians find it hard to be fully truthful. Especially when special interest, "Big Money", encourage representatives to forget their constituents and dance to the tune they play. Representatives sometime forget that their constituents are the real source of the money and the vote that elects them. "Big Money" comes from the little people who support those interests. When "Big Money" goes against the welfare of people for whatever reason, It is the duty of a representative to oppose them. Your responsibility is to demand that your representatives support your position. Logically they must go with what is best for the majority, but if a minority fights hard enough, they may become the majority. For individual problems, there may be individual responses.
Truth isn't always on the surface. Lies are often on the surface. "Politicians have a different face for each person they meet." - Jack Hunt -
I would like to believe that all our representatives have the welfare of the people first in their hearts, but my experience is that most of them want power and personal gratification. I do believe that whether our representatives want to or not, they will try to serve the people. Not because they necessarily want to serve them, but because they like what they do, and want to continue. It is up to, we the people, to keep watch over them and see that they serve us while in office; not just mouth promises during their campaigns. I wish their concern was the welfare of the people and this planet. It may not be possible to have leaders who are not after power and gratification, but I wish that it were.
Some thoughts on representation and public attitude.
Andy
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Andy's personal view.
Hi Andy, i take it you are referring to the recent voteing
taking place in your country, and the recent sacking of Donald Rumsfield.
You are right of course, power to the people. -
What scares me about this is the responses. "I'm not into politics". That is what is wrong with our country. People don't care. I'm very much of the mind, 'If you don't vote, you have no right to complain.'
Thanks for sharing this with me. -
I am glad that this made you feel better. Thanks for reading and commenting. Much success with your contest.
Andy -
This is very interesting reading thanks for hooking me up with this. You are right the elected official is there to represent me regardless of party affiliations. That is a little comforting. Thanks, Melody
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Thanks, Di. Change is always happening, but I believe we can do a lot to bring about positive change. I am very pleased you like the write.
Andy -
Aurielle. Tell me about your style and what you like to read and I will send you a link to something you may like better.
Andy -
Thanks for the poetic comment, Iohagh. This essay was really not about Iraq at all. Actually, it was written first years before the invasion. I suppose it could apply to influencing the current administration.
Good poem.
Andy -
Darling essayist
About your essay in prose...
My problem is we did
war in ways so wrong
following anger hot, not hid
listening to our vengeance's song.
You see we, the electorate
have sacrificed all we believed
in rage becoming a protectorate
yet our anger didn't relieve.
Now our sweet American boys
have no end in sight
suffering war and death's noise
as we fight for right.
Our flag waves so high
so raised by our hearts
yet its falling is nigh
since we're in the dark.
Can one vote errors fix
our hate we have unleased
and our freedoms restore unmixed
while honoring those now deceased.
Sincerly
Janet -
I don't really care for politics so this isn't really the type of poem a cick lyke me would read but by the first paragraph you write good. Maybe put a hook like an oniginal metaphor or similie that you made up in the first stza would get a chick like me wanting toread but this poem as great so keep writing just not my style has nothing to do with your writing.
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Hi Andy, so true, sad but whena new star rises all too soon it becomes a super nova then fades to some obscure place out of sight and out of mind,we dream of a better world but I will not be holding my breath that it might happen,liked this write very much, all the best, Di
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Hi Andy, so true, sad but whena new star rises all too soon it becomes a super nova then fades to some obscure place out of sight and out of mind,we dream of a better world but I will not be holding my breath that it might happen,liked this writevery much, all the best, Di
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oh boy this was the wrong click for me I not into the politics
and don't follow the elections but, I did get an insight from this read and the comments thanks for sharing.... -
I have learned not to trust anything Bush says.
You may enjoy this write. It is about doing away with the Geneva Convention.
allpoetry.com/Column/2257131
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In his weekly radio address President Bush said, "We do not create terrorism by fighting terrorism. The terrorists are at war against us because they hate everything America stands for, and because they know we stand in the way of their ambitions to take over the Middle East. We are fighting to stop them from taking over Iraq and turning that country into a safe haven that would be even more valuable than the one they lost in Afghanistan." Bush hems around, saying that his cowboy bravado probably wasn't the right tone, mentioning the "dead or alive" comment about getting bin Laden and the "Bring 'em on" enticement against Iraqi insurgents. Hey, I was fine with the "dead or alive" crack. BTW, why isn't bin Laden a priority anymore? The last time Bush mentioned him, he said he didn't care if we caught him or not. Then Bush mentioned Abu Ghraib, which still follows him, and rightly so. It was Bush that decided we needn't follow the Geneva Conventions anymore.
anyways good write I enjoyed it
Much Love 2ya
UnderSTAR
Edited on Oct 05, 10:20 p.m. because 'to remove spam'. -
Yes, but if you fail to do what you can, there is no power behind your prayer, amazing grace. Do you expect God to respond if you say a prayer and don't even contact your government officials? They are there to serve.
Andy -
Always speak your truth and defend it, but don't be shocked or incensed if your representatives ignore it ... if wishing made it true, there would be nothing left to wish for ...
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When your representatives come to town, meet and talk with them. I am independent and I attend both Republican and Democratic meetings. When you have a problem or an issue, call write, fax, or visit them. The more productive contact you have with them, the better you will be remembered. Don't come off as a fanatic, but you can be impassioned.
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vsutton, be a voice yourself. Make contect with you representatives, senators, and governor. Even the president is influenced by public opinion.
Andy -
The way to get their ears is to contact them by phone, fax, mail or in person. Best is in person, of course. The Governor, and my Congressman have come to town as has the state attorney general. I have met and had conversations with all of them. While candidates are running for office, you can get their addresses from the election board. Even the losers are good contacts. Then you can become a lobbyist yourself. I lobbied hard against the invasion of Iraq, but it was only delayed. You can also make contacts with the media and business leaders. I had a story about alternative fuels broadcasted. It took me only a week. There is much you can do. I am a personal friend now with Laura Boyd, who ran for governor and Lt. governor. She lost both, but the governor is in her party and she has his ear and I have hers. I might be able to speak with the governor if I wanted. Representatives and Senators are even easier. The president, who I have no desire to meet, would be difficult. But I have had correspondence with both of our US senators. It is really not that hard.
Andy -
well my dear well said. I agree whole heartedly, couldnt of said i t better. Thanks for being a voice.
Peace
Vsutton -
Well said, we all want to believe they have our best interests at heart. The lobbyists do usually have their ears because they have the money. But I feel if enough pressure comes from their own constituents speak loud and long enough, publically too, them maybe it will remind them who put them in office in the first place. Great job on this. Thank you for sharing. Jeannie D Hunter
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Could you give me the link?
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youre killing me
oh man! you just are itching to argue.and im told i write for shock value and to get reaction from people.theres no winning nor middleground in religion politics or whatever else i dont know.rather than bash ill just say that in each of these topics everyones right so you cant convince them they are wrong.as you are so verily.i have one piece out of my style or comfort zone that covers this entire topic in a very completely truthfull and factual manner its called CABRINI GREEN read it some time you might hate it.youre sure to hate it but it is 100%truth.and though unpopular in nature it fears nothing and seeing as how i livede every bit of it you can not tell me im wrong unless of course you read the authors comments and see that i dont vote and even thjat is arguable. -
Did you get the link to my songs?
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This was very intersting.but i think it is all true. and i think bush shouldn't be in office. i hate bush for all the problems he mad us involved with that isn't our problem.i like how you grasp the readers attention.well i hope to read more of your work soon. i will probably read more tomorrow or if you want me to read anything of yours in paticular just let me know
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I love your compliments and thanks for the applause. Did you find anything you didn't like?
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Your essay starts out by immediately grasping the reader's attention with an interesting opening that invites the reader's attention to keep on reading. Grasping the reader's attention is always important when first starting out an essay. The ambivalences of power are well outlined in your work and you make some important summary opinions at the end to wrap up the entire theme of your work and give it that necessary "personal touch" that professors often require when assigning class essays in college. You know, I was never good at writing essays in college, but I like examining the styles of other essay writers to see how they plot out their work. Your essay is brief but to the point. You make all the necessary points you need to within the space of two or three pages without unnecessary comments nor irrelevant detail. Keep up the good work!
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Your essay starts out by immediately grasping the reader's attention with an interesting opening that invites the reader's attention to keep on reading. Grasping the reader's attention is always important when first starting out an essay. The ambivalences of power are well outlined in your work and you make some important summary opinions at the end to wrap up the entire theme of your work and give it that necessary "personal touch" that professors often require when assigning class essay in college. You know, I was never good at writing essays in college, but I like examining the styles of other essay writers to see how they plot out their work. Your essay is brief but to the point. You make all the necessary points you need to within the space of two or three pages without unnecessary comments nor irrelevant detail. Keep up the good work!
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Clinton was impeached because he acted on human impluse. If so many people bitch about Bush's terrible reign on the Presidency impeach him. I just don't want to hear anymore bitching about how bad of a president he is esp when there could be measures taken that will get him OUT of office.
Nixon was forced to resign because of watergate. I don't really have an answer...but most people aren't searching for answers. They're complaining when they could be solving their own problem. -
Bush could be impeached and then removed from office and many would like that, but it is not likely to happen. He seems to have a firm grip on the presidency. Clinton as you know was nearly impeached. Nixon was forced to resign.
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I would like to believe that all our representatives have the welfare of the people first in their hearts, but my experience is that most of them want power and personal gratification.
You're being controdictory and hypocritical. You're telling me right here that you're a perfect human that puts the welfare of someone besides yourself ahead of your own needs and wants. That you do everything not for your persona gratification but for the welfare of others.
If you're not happy with your leader throw them out. You have the power. If we're so unhappy with bush...why not throw him out...apparently we have the power to do so. -
that was intersting
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