A New Year's Resolution for 2015: Thirty Minutes Each Week
to Strengthen Democracy in Montana
As we begin 2015 many are still searching for a resolution to
get the new year off to a good start. Common goals include cutting back on junk
food or increasing exercise. But if you want to make a change in 2015 that will
really make a difference, try dedicating thirty minutes each week to making our
democracy stronger here in Montana.
Such a resolution is urgent because the public’s faith in our
political process is in crisis. When I came home from Afghanistan, many would
thank me for my military service and express deep pride in the U.S. Military,
but when it came to the democracy that we had fought for overseas many would
express disgust. We all know Congress has record low approval ratings. Voter
turnout this November was at historic lows. During my campaign for House
District 96 many voters told me they believed the legislature paid more
attention to special interest groups than to regular working families. Piling on
to these troubles is the deluge of out of state money pouring into Montana's
elections. In 2012, more money was spent per capita during the election than any
election in Montana history.
It hasn't always been this bad and in Montana we can do
better. After a study of American society in the early 19th Century, Alexis de
Tocqueville concluded, "[t]he people reign over the American political world as
God rules over the universe." As the legislative session begins this January,
I’m convinced that if voters are actively engaged with the legislature, the
people in Montana can reign over the lawmaking process in a similar manner.
Thirty minutes a week by every citizen could get us a long way toward this goal.
For those who want to engage but don't know how, here are three simple steps you
can take in 2015 to make sure your voice is heard.
First, contact your legislator with your top concern. If
you’re not sure who represents you in the legislature, use the “find my
legislator” tool on Leg.mt.gov to retrieve your
legislator’s name and contact information. Your message need not be complicated.
For example, your priority might be strengthening our public schools, increasing
access to hunting and fishing, or cutting property taxes by closing corporate
tax loopholes. If you're like most voters, you may be under the impression that
a call, letter, or email doesn't make a difference. But such communications make
a huge difference. Receiving even a handful of messages on a single topic is
sure to influence any Montana legislator’s thoughts on the issue.
Second, once the session begins, pay close attention to what
the legislature is doing on that issue. There are a variety of tools to help you
accomplish this task. Leg.mt.gov provides a
complete database on bills and their status in the legislative process. During
the session, the Legislative Information Desk is reachable at 406-444-4800 and will answer questions about the
legislative process to any Montanan. Many groups like the Montana Conservation
Voters and the National Rifle Association have staff who follow the legislative
process closely and can help answer questions about issue they follow.
Third, speak up during the session. Find out when a
legislative committee is holding a hearing on the issue you care about and show
up to testify. Bring your friends who agree. If you can't make it in person then
send a letter. The impassioned testimony of a regular citizen sure carries a lot
more weight than boilerplate reports from professional lobbyists.
This may seem like a lot of work to cram into an already busy
schedule. It is certainly true that being a citizen in a democracy takes time
and effort. But remember that many have given life or limb to defend our
Constitutional democracy from enemies abroad. Having seen what life is like for
those who have lived under nondemocratic regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan, I can
emphatically say that our democracy, however flawed, is worth fighting for. In
honor of all those who never came home, please pencil in thirty minutes each
week during the legislative session to do what you can to make democracy in
Montana live up to the finest American tradition.
Andrew Person represents House District 96 in the Montana
Legislature and lives in Missoula. He is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran, and
can be reached at (406) 210-0161.
