Do They Know Who You Are?

In today's political climate the average folks often ask the title question. Do they(they being elected officials) know who I am? Unfortunately, probably not. Until recently the "unknown majority" was not quite so vocal and the word accountable did not exist in many politician's dictionary. It was simple: People voted, the elected took office, and did exactly what they wanted to do. Such was representative government as we knew it. Maybe this would have continued if we had not elected a new president with very different ideas about things and the country suffered a financial collapse The "unknown majority" isn't quite so unknown any more. The vocal protest, in most cases, has made known the feelings of thousands of formerly silent Americans heard. They are demanding accountability from their elected officials. "Tea Parties" are being held. The name based on the 1776 protests of "taxation without representation". The elected have answered by holding "town hall" meetings. I believe the this intercourse between the government and the people is a very healthy thing. Modern media plays a big part in this as well. The many cable channels carry different points of view and a plethora of websites and blogs carry alternative ideas on issues at the forefront of the meetings. The ease at which the average person can broadcast their ideas via blogs ,websites, andvideo sharing networks allows many people to be heard the first time by others. The voices of the voters via meeting or media is changing the current political environment. They, the government, will know who you are!