I need a government that loves me?

There is a belief that the citizens are not fit to govern, or care for themselves. It is important to remember that our elected officials are servants to the citizens; we are not beholden to them.

Rather than government treating us like customers, we as citizens should be treated as owners. There is a vast distinction in these two concepts. The average citizens’ view of government has dramatically deteriorated, and I think there is good reason for that. Rather than exploring alternate points of view, dissenting opinions are ridiculed and vilified. There is much to learn from opposing points of view. We should not be so closed minded that we cannot entertain ideas contrary to our own.

When our political processes become fractured, contentious, and break down to party line votes, the citizen ultimately suffers. This practice of voting in the spirit of special interest, and party boss mandates, does not serve the citizen. In order to change this, we need more independent minded representation. So many of us have lost our connection with our own civic responsibility; it is even more important than jury duty, but we don’t get the letter calling us to action. The call to action must spur from within!

I’ve heard the analogy that citizens’ governing themselves is like two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. I think a more appropriate view of our current political climate is more reflected by two wolves intimidating eight sheep to vote for what’s in “their best interest”. There is this feeling in our system that we need a powerful government that will protect us from all evil, and even protect us from ourselves.

I wonder; does anyone out there really cast a vote because they think the government can take care of them better than they take care of themselves?