Letting Your Voice Be Heard

Posted by: K.D. Hastings on March 24, 2008 Hot Issues •

A news report on our local CBS affiliate addressed a bill recently introduced in our state legislature that would further regulate what kind of smoke detectors homeowners can install in their houses. The report referred disparagingly to “high-powered lobbyists,” hired by smoke detector manufacturers, who were resisting the legislation that called for new restrictions.

So what’s wrong with “high-powered lobbyists” or “low-powered” lobbyists, if one exists? I recognize that the tobacco and liquor industries have lobbyists that have at times wielded far too much influence, as have gambling groups and unions. Yet at the end of the day we all have at least one “special interest”: ourselves. And more than likely, there are one or more special interest groups with individuals assigned the responsibility to share your interest in the capitol building.

The wonder of our government, as a participatory republic, is that our voice matters. And if we really want to make an impact, we can join our voice with other like-minded voices. It’s the power of one—multiplied!

So before we raise our voice complaining about the influence lobbyists, no matter their “power,” have on our elected officials, we need to ratchet up our own voices.

Share your values out loud! And at the polls on Election Day.

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