(gguy44/iStock Images)
Votes have been cast and whether our candidates and issues won or loss, as concerned citizens, our most important work is ahead of us — in Missouri and Washington.
Continued involvement and ongoing oversight should rule the day.
This election cycle has been anything but politics as usual. But lest we forget, the people remain in charge. We still have the final say.
So what behavior do you expect from the leaders you have hired? What progress and achievements do you expect for the areas of concern you have and the policy issues you supported?
How each of us answers thense questions will dictate our level of engagement and participation in the coming years.
Unless…
Unless you feel that your job ended with your vote. Or for those who did not vote, you perceive that you have no role at all.
Unless you are comfortable sitting back and letting this great evolving democracy regress and slip into some sort of authoritarian regime where important tenets of our Constitution are ignored, marginalized or manipulated to legitimize illegitimate and personal agendas.
During and after our national and local elections, there has been a cacophony of dominant voices — espousing hope and despair, fear and retribution; constancy and change, for better or worse.
The easiest choice now might be to join the aftermath chorus of rage and despair or bask in unbridled glee at how election results have turned out. But at the end of the day, what does that gain?
How do you see your role in carrying on, helping to conduct and oversee the people’s business whether in your county, city, state and nation?
We have elected representatives to carry out the will of the people, not their own will.
We will have only ourselves to blame for the outcomes — where we find ourselves six months, a year, two years from now. Or longer.
Concern. Vigilance. Engagement. Mobilization. Intervention.
These are the operative actions to get and remain in a state of readiness if we want to help determine the course America takes in the coming months and years ahead.
There is no time to waste to stay on top of and to determine the direction in which we are headed.
In Missouri, there are already efforts afoot to thwart or undo Amendment 3 — the measure that a majority of voters passed to overturn the abortion ban. Women may still be denied the reproductive care they need if these efforts are successful.
The same is true with Proposition A that passed to increase the minimum wage. There are efforts already underway to keep it from being implemented. Low-income workers and families stand not to see a wage increase or paid family leave any time soon, if at all.
Even though the people have spoken by using the initiative petition process as outlined in the state constitution, that may not be enough to ensure that their wishes will be implemented.
So, what can we do?
Starting now, before the Missouri legislature resumes its new session on Jan. 8, research and monitor bills that are being developed to be proposed as soon as the gavel sounds. Pre-filed bills will be available for review, beginning December 1.
Do your best to find out the organizations and special interests lobbyists trying to influence incoming legislators to reverse the will of the majority of Missouri citizens.
Continuing to feel rage and despair or unbridled exuberance is no substitute for ongoing vigilance and engagement.
We must also organize, mobilize and ready ourselves to raise our voices and use every avenue of appeal that is available to us to ensure that the will of the majority of Missourians is not subverted.
In the political environment in which we find ourselves, complacency and silence will not be viable options.
No doubt there are policy issues at the city and county level that require our active vigilance and participation to ensure their proper implementation.
The same applies to what is happening in Washington.
Will a national abortion ban and other reproductive health restrictions become the law of the land, negating recently passed state amendments or any state laws?
How will the many facets of the decades-old immigration issue — undocumented immigrants crossing the border, threatened deportation of immigrant citizens born here, depletion of the workforce — be legally and appropriately handled?
What will happen to public health policies?
What will happen to public education policies?
What about our military and national defense?
Do you think the Department of Justice should uphold the Constitution and rule of law for all American citizens?
We must pay careful attention to who is being selected to lead in the most critical departments. Will their agendas and priorities advance the well-being of the American people?
Do we care?
Then there are the perennial concerns about the economy, the climate, crime and safety.
As with any new slate of elected officials and new administrative leaders, there are many opportunities to make things better or worse by implementing overt changes in policies and laws, or by deliberately ignoring things that need to be addressed.
However, waiting until the next election cycle to vote may be too late to change an undesired or detrimental direction.
There are many options available to us to get engaged and stay engaged.
First and foremost, we must commit to seeking out facts and truth, consulting multiple legitimate sources. Share those facts with others in our orbit of influence.
Use multiple ways to communicate with elected officials as individuals, enlist other like-minded individuals, organizations and coalitions.
Change often begins with one person, one voice.
But it will take ongoing vigilance, targeted mobilization, and persistent intervening voices to protect the will of the people in our participatory democracy.
These are the most powerful options we have to face and affect any wiles and headwinds in our current political climate.
Will we exercise them?