The American people have spoken loud and clear in the recent mid-term election. This is just the beginning of
taking back our government from the elite and self-serving. The balance of power as designed by our
Founding Fathers and the U.S.Constitution have been ignored for far too long by far too many elected to
govern our great nation.
Speaking to power. We send a message to those we elect to office by our interest in the process and by our
ballot. Win or lose, we have a responsibility to participate in the process of our democracy.
Over half of the American people neglect their responsibility to vote. Freedom requires effort by every citizen.
We cannot defer our responsibility to officials elected by some, and then fail to oversee their performance.
The citizens are collectively the most important part of a Democracy.
Voting is a responsibility that has to be taken seriously by every citizen in a free nation.
I am encouraging everyone to register to vote. If getting to the polls is difficult, you can request an absentee
ballot, so you can vote by mail. There is nothing difficult about voting.
How do you know who to vote for in an election? We need to look at more than a pleasing personality,
popularity, and an ability to sound good. We need to look at the background of our candidates.
Check the background on candidates for their experience. You decide if they deserve your vote. You can
have someone check the voting record on the Internet for each political candidate. You can read newspaper
articles on the issues of the day to choose topics to discuss.
Participating in your government only requires that you know what values we should have as a people looking
out for our fellow citizens, Know who votes those values in congress; and support the candidates who reflect
your values.
I encourage every citizen to discuss the pressing issues of our time. Today, we are faced with many new
challenges such as: a world economy driven by corporate greed, a shrinking middle class, an increase in
poverty, and terrorist threats. The challenges to the middle class and the working poor will require strong
leadership. I believe that there is a disconnect in Washington D.C. from the majority of the people.
You can organize a family or neighborhood meeting to discuss current issues that affect your life. Find out
who the senators are for your state. Check to see who the congressional representative is for your district.
Then—ask questions and demand answers.
You can make political discussions interesting. If you set rules that everyone is heard without interruption and
keep an open mind until everyone expresses his or her views, you will be better informed while participating in
the political process.
We have to support Senators and State Representatives who are concerned about unfair trade agreements,
tax reform and social security. We need to support government leaders who are concerned with the increased
job out-sourcing crisis we face as a nation.
The men and women seeking re-election have a public record of their votes on legislation affecting the lives
of the American people. You can view the voting records on the Internet and write to your House
Representatives and your Senators. Today with the Internet, you can e-mail your concerns to government
leaders. You can write to U.S. Senators from neighboring states as well.
I strongly suggest that the American people start an honest dialog with family and friends regarding the men
and women representing them in government. How did your government leaders vote on recent trade
agreements? How did your representative vote on the legislation regarding the credit card industry?
How do you feel about tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans when the nation’s debt is at record levels? You
can send a message to your elected officials with your vote.
Your views are just as important as the views of corporate heads and special interest groups, but not if you
don’t make them known, and express them and participate!
We cannot defer our responsibility to protect and preserve our government “of the people, by the people, and
for the people.” It is ours. Every single one of us.
Fred Flanagan
Copyright © 2006
taking back our government from the elite and self-serving. The balance of power as designed by our
Founding Fathers and the U.S.Constitution have been ignored for far too long by far too many elected to
govern our great nation.
Speaking to power. We send a message to those we elect to office by our interest in the process and by our
ballot. Win or lose, we have a responsibility to participate in the process of our democracy.
Over half of the American people neglect their responsibility to vote. Freedom requires effort by every citizen.
We cannot defer our responsibility to officials elected by some, and then fail to oversee their performance.
The citizens are collectively the most important part of a Democracy.
Voting is a responsibility that has to be taken seriously by every citizen in a free nation.
I am encouraging everyone to register to vote. If getting to the polls is difficult, you can request an absentee
ballot, so you can vote by mail. There is nothing difficult about voting.
How do you know who to vote for in an election? We need to look at more than a pleasing personality,
popularity, and an ability to sound good. We need to look at the background of our candidates.
Check the background on candidates for their experience. You decide if they deserve your vote. You can
have someone check the voting record on the Internet for each political candidate. You can read newspaper
articles on the issues of the day to choose topics to discuss.
Participating in your government only requires that you know what values we should have as a people looking
out for our fellow citizens, Know who votes those values in congress; and support the candidates who reflect
your values.
I encourage every citizen to discuss the pressing issues of our time. Today, we are faced with many new
challenges such as: a world economy driven by corporate greed, a shrinking middle class, an increase in
poverty, and terrorist threats. The challenges to the middle class and the working poor will require strong
leadership. I believe that there is a disconnect in Washington D.C. from the majority of the people.
You can organize a family or neighborhood meeting to discuss current issues that affect your life. Find out
who the senators are for your state. Check to see who the congressional representative is for your district.
Then—ask questions and demand answers.
You can make political discussions interesting. If you set rules that everyone is heard without interruption and
keep an open mind until everyone expresses his or her views, you will be better informed while participating in
the political process.
We have to support Senators and State Representatives who are concerned about unfair trade agreements,
tax reform and social security. We need to support government leaders who are concerned with the increased
job out-sourcing crisis we face as a nation.
The men and women seeking re-election have a public record of their votes on legislation affecting the lives
of the American people. You can view the voting records on the Internet and write to your House
Representatives and your Senators. Today with the Internet, you can e-mail your concerns to government
leaders. You can write to U.S. Senators from neighboring states as well.
I strongly suggest that the American people start an honest dialog with family and friends regarding the men
and women representing them in government. How did your government leaders vote on recent trade
agreements? How did your representative vote on the legislation regarding the credit card industry?
How do you feel about tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans when the nation’s debt is at record levels? You
can send a message to your elected officials with your vote.
Your views are just as important as the views of corporate heads and special interest groups, but not if you
don’t make them known, and express them and participate!
We cannot defer our responsibility to protect and preserve our government “of the people, by the people, and
for the people.” It is ours. Every single one of us.
Fred Flanagan
Copyright © 2006
Your Vote Counts
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