| The United States of America is a based on a republic form of government. A republic government allows its citizen to elect people (politicians) to represent their interest in government matters. Therefore, the United States in theory is not a true democratic government, because representatives rather than individual US citizens vote on issues and decide on policies that should have the general public's best interest at hand.
Today, blacks have equal protection under the law; however, as a group of people, we still do not receive its maximum benefit. Government works bests for those who put demands on the system. The rich get richer because they know how to put demands on the system through their lobbying dollars and campaign funding. The poor stay poor because they do not understand ‘the system' (how government works); therefore, they don't put any demands on the
system through pressuring politicians and forming large special
interest groups with voting power. Importantly, every dollar one particular group demands and receives must be taken away from another group because there is a finite amount of resources.
This is the reason why the funding for programs assisting
minority groups and the poor are always victims of a budget cut.
As we all have witnessed, those who know how to place demands on the system receive extra benefits while those who don't understand the system keep receiving less and
less.
As an American, you write the performance review for politicians (lawmakers and resource distributors). You decide whether politicians keep their job as a representative of your needs and interests. Those who do not understand this boss-employee relationship don't receive the proper respect and are unfortunately deprived of favorable legislation (new laws) and just resource allocations. Learn how to be the boss!
Below is a simplistic model of our representation at the following three levels of government:
City Government
City government deals with issues that affect the quality of life of city residents. Local taxes are levied against city residents to provide city government with funding to
support services, such as police patrol and snow removal.
The person who directly represents the needs of citizens within a particular section of town is typically called a city council member. Cities hold public meetings that discuss the issues at hand, and your city council member's job is to make sure your neighborhood receives an equal distribution of resources. In other words, your city council member should ensure that your tax dollars are spent toward securing a desired quality of life standard for you and your neighbors. City council members also create and amend city ordinances (laws). Any neighborhood complaints should be addressed to your city council member.
The mayor is the chief executive officer of the city and ensures that resources are equally distributed throughout the city. Some cities have what has been coined a ‘strong mayor system,' which gives the mayor more independent power over the city council to implement actions. Mayors in cities without a ‘strong mayor system' have less authority and must work in harmony with city council.
Importantly, at this level of government develop a relationship with your city council member to address concerns in your neighborhood.
State Government
State government deals with issues that affect the quality of life of residents
in the state. State taxes are levied against state residents to provide state government with funding to
support services, such as public
education and libraries.
The person who directly represents the needs of citizens within a particular area of the state is typically called a state representative or assemblymen. State representatives meet in your state's
capital to enact laws for the protection and prosperity of citizens within the state. Your state representative should ensure that your area receives a fair amount of state resources to improve the quality of life for you and your neighbors. State representatives have local offices that you can visit to seek information or address concerns.
Additionally, our country's forefathers wanted to set up a system of checks and balances to ensure major decisions were agreed upon by more than one group. Therefore, you also have a state senator, who represents a larger geographical area of your state. State senators work with state representatives to pass and amend laws.
Your state's governor is essentially the president of your state. It is the governor's job to ensure that citizens throughout the state are distributed a fair amount of resources from both state and federal sources. The governor has the right to sponsor new laws for the state and has the ability to reject any legislation state representatives and senators propose from becoming law if he or she disapproves.
Importantly, at this level of government develop a relationship with your state representative to address state-level concerns within your
community.
Federal Government
Federal government deals with issues that affect the quality of life of all US citizens. Federal taxes are levied against US residents to provide federal government with funding to
support services, such as social security and highway maintenance. The person who directly represents the needs of citizens within a particular area of your state is called a congressman. Congressmen meet in Washington, DC to enact laws for the protection and prosperity of all US citizens. Your congressman should ensure that your area receives a fair amount of federal resources to improve the quality of life for you and your neighbors. Congressmen have local offices that you can visit to seek information or address your concerns.
You also have a US Senator, who represents your entire state. While congressmen are most often concerned with the immediate impact laws have on their individual districts, senators tend to weigh the long-term affect of legislation being considered. Senators and congressmen together comprised the Congress, and must reach a majority vote from both groups before legislation becomes law.
The president is the chief executive officer of the country. He is responsible for ensuring a desirable quality of life of for all Americans. He has the power to reject legislation Congress approves of and he may also enact laws without Congress' approval through executive orders. However, most often, the president works with Congress to steer the direction of the country.
Importantly, at this level of government develop a relationship with your congressman to address federal level concerns in your
community.
Improving your
area's quality of life
You just read above that as an American you have a representative at the local, state, and federal level. Their primary jobs are to ensure you have sufficient resources and that you enjoy a desirable quality of life. Further, remember your senators, governor, and president also work to ensure you enjoy America 's resources. If you are not getting your fair share of resources for your tax dollars, then it is these individuals (your representatives) that you must address your concerns with. Remember these individuals work for you. Through your voting power, you allow them to either keep their jobs for doing a good job of improving your quality of life, or you fire them for not being a good representative.
Understand, many politicians are only concerned
about gaining the next big political office. What you need to
find out from your representative is a list of things they have
done, a list of things they are doing, and a list of things they
have not implemented yet to improve your community. Realize,
having a black representative means absolutely nothing if they
are not doing anything to better your community.
In
closing, as an American who understands our political system, you and your neighbors decide whether the resources are provided to your community through your
ability to work with your representative and your evaluation of
their performance. |
