I’ve never posted any political opinions on my blog before, but the article I read today about the NSA recording every single phone call made in the U.S. really tears me up.

Not why you think it would either.

It’s the apathy of most Americans. I’m a very active citizen, while most everyone I know is completely ignorant not only of local issues and candidates, but even larger issues threatening our everyday liberties. While I find this act by the NSA deplorable, and indefensible, I have to sit in awe of the technological juggernaut that this program must be.

I know of no one besides myself who actually takes the time to read what their local representatives stand for, let alone write to them voicing their opinions. Very few of my acquaintances actually vote, which is disgusting, and every time one of them start blathering about how they don’t like this or that, I just ask them why don’t they vote.

It’s very simple: if you don’t like what your elected officials are doing with their voice in our government, simply vote them out for another person who will do the right thing. The National Committees of the two major parties in this country have done a fantastic job of installing the thought “well I have to vote for a Republican or Democrat because they’re the only one’s who get in office”. I sincerely hope that I don’t have to point out the idiocy of that way of thinking.

Average Americans have been snowballed, hoodwinked, bamboozled and stymied by these organizations to the point of complete indoctrination – and that’s a dangerous state to be in. True, parties like the Libertarian Party, independant candidates and the Green Party get a good amount – albeit insignificant – of votes, but until we start teaching our children that they can vote for whomever they like and that if you get enough people to vote for someone, they can represent you in Congress, will the Rep/Dem deadlock be broken in our political system.

Wake up America and flex your Constitutional muscles. We run this country, not our elected officials… that’s why we elect them, to make the decision we want them to make.

Here’s some very simple steps you can take to start to get to know your local, regional, and state representative.

1. Take the World’s Smallest Political Quiz to find out what political party you really should identify with
2. Read you local newspaper (hardcopy or online) on a regular basis to keep up-to-date on local government activities. It doesn’t have to be every day, even just reading the Sunday paper every week will keep you fresh.
3. Contact your House representative and/or state Senator and ask their office to send you a policy statement
4. Watch, or listen, to a debate by local candidates. The national ones are useless and don’t effect your everyday lives nearly as much
5. Write a letter to, or send an email, to your representative expressing your views. Believe it or not, they do listen.
6. Next time an elected official is in your area to address or meet the public, go and meet him/her. If it’s an interactive session, stand up and make your voice heard.