BUCKING THE SYSTEM: EXERCISING VOTE BUILDS POWERFUL COMMUNITIES

Personal politics have no place in the hands of elected officials.

When most Americans go to the voting polls, we do so with a belief in the anthem "of the people, for the people, by the people." We select public officials with the hope that the individual will work for the good of the community.

It never fails that we are devastated when we learn that the people we've believed in for so long only work "for the people" for as long as it follows their own agendas.

We have seen this on the local, state and federal levels, yet it always surprises us. Perhaps even more so on the state and local levels, where we have more opportunities to interact with officials, thereby ensuring they know our wants and wishes.

So many questions come to mind when we are betrayed by an official we trusted. How could they have been so arrogant as to believe they were above serving the needs of the public? By whose authority were they allowed to cast aside something that benefits the majority and choose something that benefits just a few?

How dare they have the gall to tell me they did it for me?

These plaintive cries are often heard by the betrayed, but we need to search beyond the questions for the answers. It's important we remember that when officials ignore the public interest as a whole, they are satisfying the needs of SOMEONE.

The question then becomes who that someone is.

Throughout history, special interest groups and political action committees have been around to influence, nudge and even nag public officials into fulfilling their agendas. That is not necessarily a bad thing.

There are times when special agendas do serve the public rather than the few people working to see them achieved. However, when these special agendas are based on personal grudges or gain, they are wrong. Public officials who fulfill the requests are equally wrong.

We have a democracy for a reason. It allows us to elect officials we believe are qualified to serve the public's best interests. It also allows us to vote that person out of office when he or she does not serve the needs of the public.

Elected officials mess up ... a lot. That's not a problem, because everybody makes mistakes. However, abuse of power and hidden agendas are a problem.

Fortunately, they can be corrected.

Americans are able to bring about change because we are allowed to express pleasure or displeasure through the power of the vote. The next opportunity local voters have to protect the rights of the public comes April 1. Issues will differ from community to community, but the principle of the thing remains the same.

If you have an opinion, cast a vote. If you think someone has put his or her desires ahead of your needs, get them out of office. If you believe an individual would make a good public official, help to get him or her elected.

Put up or shut up.

Because regardless of what it is, if you have an opinion but don't respect it enough to voice it through your vote, you have no right to complain. Don't belittle the school board, don't make snide remarks about the councilmen. If you have the opportunity and don't vote, your opinion doesn't matter.

Our muscles lose their strength when we don't use them, and so does our vote.

Be strong. Vote often.

~Tamara Zellars Buck is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.