Has anyone out there really experienced that your efforts to change any given civic outcome ...?

Question

Is just so much wasted effort?
Has anyone else started to feel that Democracy is possibly not working like it should. That is, that no matter what an individual or group may do to support what it believes to be the correct way to do things or to go forward for the best interest of society or for law and order, the sytem does not support or provide a realized outcome for those working in this Democratic fashion. Does anyone get a feeling that government on local levels and higher up is no longer functional. Why do you think this may be, if you do feel this way?

Answer 1

Of course American democracy is no longer working; it is terribly decayed, dysfunctional and delusional. But there is a way out, detailed in a great new book Delusional Democracy - Fixing the Republic Without Overthrowing the Government. Get it.

Answer 2

The most important civic action one can do is vote.Protecting the ballot box and being an election judge are ways to protect our democracy. Yes, elections are stolen but not all and not every time.

Other civic activities along the way:

The city council was going to cut out a low income dental clinic costing the taxpayers 50,000 dollars. I thought up a tax so that a low income clinic was kept in the city budget in 1985..It took an asst city manager, a vet society, and me to put it before the city council who voted for it. There are now in 2006 5 low income dental clinics in the city supported by that tax which was to have cats and dogs wear collars.

I formed a neighborhood association and we went to city hall and stopped a pickle factory from relocating to our neighborhood
we also had a 8' wall and video cameras placed between the no tell motel and the school located right behind it. We were not able to stop the motel itself.

I researched and discovered that the regional transportation authority had used federal funds so handicapped transportation being planned did need to meet federal guidelines. Social Service agencies were asked for their input. Today,handicapped needs are now for the most part built in at the design phase instead of separately.

I became involved in a lobbying effort at the state legislature two years ago to have tax free textbooks added to the taxfree day for clothes. It made it into the platform of the democratic candidate running for governor this year. A state representative is interested in doing something about the high cost of textbooks and asked for my input.

So, yes I believe in civic action. Yes, that means continuing to learn, research, and be among people.

At 50, it meant going back to school to update and learn new advocacy skills.Robert's Rules of Order.Learning how to do original research on textbook issues and get others to help me do it. How to use a message board. How to cold call on legislators. How to do productive internet searchs. How to use Thomas (loc.gov) to know what my Senator and Congressmen were voting on. Learning to use and listen to audiocasts and podcasts of state subcommittee hearings.Speaking out at a public hearing. Relearning to be a teammember and let everyone lead and follow .It meant learning to read and reply to a thread on Daily Kos. It has meant learning to use technology instead of technology using me. Mostly, it has meant going to meetings no one wants to go to and representing everyman.

I am still learning,everyday.

If the small part of the world is a better place for a few people for a few moments, then it is enough to spend the energy doing it.

Answer 3

In the US democracy is possible but it is best to enroll a group to develop the change for what you think is the better
A change best when you have agreement among the voters
As for me I have hanged a police department .. a chamber of commence. But I did not do I suggest it be done with meant behind me....

Answer 4

Don't give up I have been able to; stop the widening of a street, stop local govt from selling off a park, changing zoning to allow
busness. Just make as much noise as posible an get people on your side. All politics are local.

Answer 5

Those who speak in moderate voices are generally ignored by those who are screaming partian rants. And because the screams attract more attention, only the far ends of the spectrum can rally enough supporters to try and get their way.

Answer 6

I have seen serious grass roots efforts achieve many of the results that they wanted, but it's not easy to change minds once they're made up.