American citizens possess right to communicate to elected officials

  • Published
  • By Steven Halloway
  • Air Force Sergeant's Association Chapter 1054
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Air Force Sergeant's Association wants to educate its members and citizens and encourage them to become more aware of and involved in the day-to-day business of its elected leaders during Legislative Awareness Week Oct. 12-18. 

Much attention nowadays is given to things the government "owes us." Not so much attention is given to the obligations of the citizens. There are only three basic expectations toward its citizenry that are specified in the Constitution: pay taxes, serve on a jury if called upon and obey the law. Although there are many other expectations of citizenship outside the Constitution, Communicating with the elected representatives is very important. 

How long would a company survive that fails to remain in step with its customers or pay attention to their needs? What degree of success could be expected? On the other side of that, how can customers expect a company to meet their needs if it doesn't know what they are? 

The good news is the government isn't a company and American citizens possess the right to communicate their views to elected officials. It can happen in one of two ways. One way a lot of people don't consider is communication; a vote for a candidate or issues before the public at large. One vote, whether for or against a candidate or issue is a powerful form of communication and its gravity is considerable. 

Never downplay the difference "one vote" can make when you consider the margins of victory in a political race, success or failure of a public issue. 

Written or spoken contact with those elected to serve the city, state or a federal post is also more important than recognized. It's not always a negative situation to communicate with a councilor, mayor, representative or senator. 

They really do like to hear from the public on a regular basis. It tells them what's important and where the focus should be when prioritizing their workload. 

Otherwise, and far too common, there's infrequent interaction between an elected representative and those whom they serve. So what would you do? Probably similar to what happens now. People will go with their instincts or use data from some sort of poll or study. If that's not something that sounds good, then people have the means to change it. 

Modern citizenship is associated with equality before the law, freedom from arbitrary rule, and a basic sense of human dignity bound up with the idea of human rights. It is a powerful term that evokes not only the rights that citizens may claim, but also the duties to which they are called, including dying for one's country. 

Provided are a few points to ponder form historic figures form this nations past;
"Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and is conscious that he gains protection while he gives it." - Andrew Jackson

"It is not the function of our Government to keep the citizen from falling into error; it is the function of the citizen to keep the Government from falling into error." - Robert H. Jackson

"A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high virtues of a good citizen, but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation." - Thomas Jefferson