Ask any eligible non-voter why they don’t vote and you’ll get the kind of response I get, “My vote doesn’t matter”. Sometimes that can be true. But in the case of the 2000 election, a lack of turnout by Democrats put George the 2nd in the big chair in the oblong office. Voting is the single most important thing one can do to invoke change. Of course you can do more than vote. National movements always start at the local level. Anti-war protests began with local groups; its fun reading editorials from the 60s and 70s in local newspapers about Vietnam. Today editorials are still a focal point for current issues. Find something you are passionate about and share it with the world. Letters to the editor of you local paper is a great way to share your opinion.
Below are examples of how a letter and ignite a spark.
In my home town, there is a road that runs north to south. This road allows for quick and fast access to highways, neighborhoods, main streets, shopping parks, and schools. The speed limit is 45 mph, most everyone goes 60. I used this road daily in high school, along with a thousand other students. Its fast and dangerous, with wrecks being a daily occurrence.
My mother knew very well how dangerous this road was: both of her sons got speeding tickets, and totaled their cars on this road (thats 4 separate events). Your’s truly getting the blame for a 4 car pileup, we won’t go discuss that further. After she read a letter challenging the speed limit (they wanted 60 mph) on this intra-city highway, she responded and was promptly published defending the speed limit. Her arguments would have been her sons, the soccer fields close to the road, and countless churches and neighborhoods.
Mom didn’t start the fire, but she poured tequila in her mouth and spewed on the flames. An eruption of letters for and against followed mother’s. Word eventually got to the state transportation department. They sent a team from the capital to evaluate the street. After a thorough investigation, it was determined 45 mph is and should be the speed limit. My 5’0″ mother has one voice, but you see what the written word can do.
My letter.
What does this have to do with Weakonomics? Two weeks ago, I read a bad opinion column from the Boston Globe, reprinted in my local paper. I wrote the globe, the author, and my paper challenging the opinion. This was regarding the Fed helping Bear Stearns. I challenged the editors to provide details exactly how this impacts the tax-payer. Up to that point, everything the papers, news outlets, and 24 hour news channels said “the Fed is using tax payer money to back Bear Stearns” which is a gross exaggeration and not based on any fact. This misleads the public to believe their paychecks just bailed out a bad company. The local paper wrote me back and I have exchanged some emails with an editor since then.
This week there is an editorial in my paper regarding the same subject. The editor challenges the voting public to demand an explanation from the Fed. He tells Congress to obtain a layman’s terms explanation from the Fed of what happened in the bailout. This isn’t exactly what I had hoped for, but its along the same lines of my concern: the public doesn’t understand what happened between the Fed and Bear Stearns. It could be a coincidence, but this was the same editor that I spoke with regarding my letter. We’ll see if anyone responds. I hope so, because I want to know what my community is thinking. This is how movements are started.
The power of words shaped history. Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense“, Martin Luther’s “95 Theses“, Michelangelo’s “Cowabunga“. Maybe the last one had more impact on some lives than others, but still powerful message. If you are inspired, inspire others, share your ideas with the world. We’ll listen.
 By The Weakonomist |
The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics. Also keep in mind that nothing I say can be construed as financial advice. |
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