The right to vote, to choose our representatives, is fundamental
to our form of government. Election Day & the preceding campaign season
bring increased devotion & political awareness to many of us. We look for
solutions in sound bites & slogans, hoping for change in a new face or new
circumstances. Far too often however this renewed interest rapidly returns to
complacency as life continues in monotony.
Unfortunately for society cyclical patriots, though not lacking in zeal
or opinion, quickly tire & lose interest in the work of representative
government.
I believe that our system of government is perfectly suited
to address this historical trend. We routinely empower others to make decisions
on our behalf, to study the issues, circumstances & people then act in our
name. When we select someone to represent us it is because we perceive that
they have skills, knowledge, abilities or time which we do not. We expect them
to do what they feel is best & we accept that not
every decision they make is precisely the one we would have made ourselves. We
demand the right to vote for City, State & National representatives. We
even amended the Constitution to expand this privilege. So why do we struggle
w/ a more intimate application of the same principle?
The caucus precinct meeting is representative government at
its best. Friends & neighbors meeting together to decide who among them is
best suited & trusted to make decisions on their behalf. Not only during
campaign & election season but year round. We seek to elect those who have
sufficient time & interest to investigate candidates prior to election, to follow
their actions after election & to speak up, thus holding government
accountable to the people.
A politician removed from his constituents may more easily avoid
repercussion for his actions, his vote & his lies, but it is hard to hide
from your neighbors. The Caucus System provides everyone the opportunity to be
involved in the selection of representatives who truly represent our views with
minimal personal commitment. For these reasons, among others, the caucus system
must remain.
For what it's worth
