Success...I hope

This is for all you people out there that thinks getting involved doesn't work -

We have been having issues in my town, to say the least. I love the place, but some things are being allowed to slide. When a policeman gets a call that three men are drinking and urinating on a building, they should be brought in. But that didn't happen by my sister's house last week. Instead, my brother-in-law calls it in and the police just tell the men to move along. So, the three men leave their empty 12-pack in a driveway - yes, you do the math - and DRIVE AWAY!!!

So I go to my town hall meeting tonight, low expectations and all. The other times I have gone to speak, I get no results. Not tonight. They listened to what I said; the alderman who deals with the police promised to look into it; all present were horrified by what I told them. It was just an overall good meeting. Any resident who spoke about problems received a good response. I really left there feeling like things can actually turn around here. I haven't felt that way for a while now.

So to get to my point...

A number of my students are of or near voting age. Many will not vote. Many complain and complain about supposed injustices, but when it comes to getting involved in the best way to solve things, they do nothing. Sometimes I feel that way too but I don't let that keep me from trying. I know the issues I brought up tonight at my town hall wouldn't even be looked into if I didn't speak up. I didn't complain about silly, insignificant things no one has control over - hint: wearing id's (is it really so terrible?). I spoke about real issues that affect all of us. And it looks like I just may get results! Hooray. I so dislike people who complain but don't try to change things for the better.

Now if only I could get all the eligible voters in this country to be more involved and vote, then I would be one happy camper.