Part of The Problem or Part of the Solution?

     One of the things that I've been thinking about lately is the value of participating in the political process. I first got involved by attending town council semi-regularly. I was shocked when I saw how few people attend. I then morphed into a letter writer. I have written several letters to the editor of our local papers. I think the reason I typically have felt compelled to write is because I think a lot of people's opinions are shaped by what they read in the paper.When an article or letter in the paper misrepresents a situation or portrays only one side of an issue I think it's important that it get corrected. I was asked by numerous people to run in the 2010 Municipal election. Ultimately I decided it wasn't the best time for me personally because of the age of my children. I was also lucky that a good friend that I respect decided to run in my area so it made the choice very easy. I knew we would be well represented so there was no need to feel pressured to run. 
    I think most people feel that at the Provincial and Federal levels of politics we are having trouble finding people we believe in to represent us. I recently met a doctor who is seeking the Conservative nomination in my riding. In order to support that I decided to join the party which I had been considering for some time. I think ultimately it comes down to realizing that the only way to enact any real change is to become involved in the process and attempt to drive change from within rather than standing on the outside throwing stones at the people and the process. 
     The National Post ran a question recently asking readers why they wrote letters to the editor and I thought this response was great. I particularly like the line about standing on the sidelines.

•  I write letters mostly because it indulges my need to express my ideas, especially when confronted with reasoning that I feel is not grounded in reality. There is only so much nonsense I can read before I take to pen in hand (really email) to vent my frustration. Also I believe democracy can only work if we are vocal about the issues we are passionate about. Standing on the sidelines and complaining offers no value. Expressing oneself in print and publicly owning an opinion is participating in discourse that can lead to change.
— Gary Rose