Ten Expectations I, as a Citizen, Have for My Representatives at All Levels of Government.

It is time for the American people to start holding our Leadership accountable to us for their actions. Currently, the government is made up of panhandling rich people looking to get their way and manipulate the constituents that they are supposed to serve. I aim this article at all levels, from townships to the Federal Psycobranch.

Psycobranch is the only way I can describe Congress, the Presidential, and the Supreme Court structure we have in place. They continue to amaze me with the idiocracy they show to us day in and day out and then claim they need a raise for all the chaos they are creating.

It has become a playground for the rich and wants to be famous because no one else can afford to enter the races, nor do they choose to enter, based on the muck racking and shenanigans during elections. Politicians are not gods, nor does the offer of super intelligence solve significant issues that humanity faces today. At 77 years old, I have lived through decades of foolish and comical political displays of power and pure, unadulterated greed, so for all the younger people out there, I pray you can make these changes in the future, or democracy will fail.

It’s time to realize that a nation cannot continue to exist if every one of 300+ million citizens wants their way and latch on to someone they think agrees with them. Society requires there to be interdependence to grow and prosper. We can no longer allow the super-rich to dictate and destroy the fabric of society so that they can continue to capitalize with an eye toward supremacy.

It’s time that racism, sexism, ageism, egos, unearned fame, and demonizing of various groups so others can take advantage of the other groups. Let’s start holding people in office accountable!

My expectations for my representatives at all levels of government highlight the importance of accountability, transparency, and service in governance. Here’s a list that encapsulates those demands:

1. Transparency and Honesty: I expect my representatives to be transparent about their policies, decision-making processes, and the use of government funds. They should communicate openly with the public and be honest about their challenges and limitations. The press must allow politicians to digest material before they ask deep questions, but at the same time, the press must continue to uncover falsehoods and greedy acts of power.
2. Accountability: Representatives should be accountable for their actions and decisions. They should face consequences for misconduct or failure to fulfill their duties, ensuring that they act in the best interest of their constituents. Typically, a bill is created 900+ pages long with a copious amount of data that may or may not be valid, often made by companies directly involved in whatever the bill is about. Then, the representatives never read it because they don’t have time but trust their staff to summarize so they can look smart.

Likewise, if we as citizens continue to fall for distorted and bias-driven recaps of the bill ourselves, then we have compounded the problem. Citizens must also be accountable.

1. Responsiveness: They should be responsive to the needs and concerns of their constituents, listening to their feedback and adjusting their policies accordingly. This includes accessing various communication channels and holding regular town hall meetings. Have you ever noticed how fast your representatives respond to an email? That is because they have canned responses triggered by programs that recognize keywords and then generate a response. Just wait until AI kicks in to use in government.
2. Ethical Conduct: My representatives should uphold the highest standards of ethics and integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest and prioritizing the public’s interest over personal or political gains. Gerrymandering is not ethical conduct. Ignoring or believing one is above the law is not ethical conduct. Malicious or frivolous lawsuits being brought to the courts daily so that the courts are bogged down and cannot function is not ethical conduct. Removing protections established as society has evolved because someone feels their definition of right is the only one. This is not ethical conduct. This must be the BEDROCK Foundation of every politician.
3. Effective Communication: They should communicate effectively and regularly with their constituents, clearly explaining their policies, the rationale behind their decisions, and the expected outcomes. Too often, they pat themselves on the back for legislation that brought something to their district, which is good, but this should be a footnote. Communicate what has improved on global warming, racism, sexism, freedom construction, and willingness to bring discipline back to government.
4. Commitment to Public Service: Representatives should demonstrate a genuine commitment to serving the public and improving the community. This includes working diligently to address local and national issues and putting the needs of the people ahead of political considerations.
5. Policy Knowledge and Competence: I expect my representatives to thoroughly understand the policies they advocate for and the issues affecting their constituents. They should possess the competence to develop and implement effective solutions. Stop leaving that to your staff. When your team has all the information, it’s like giving the key to the chicken coup to the fox. They can and do use that knowledge to leverage their careers if you get voted out of office. Build collaboration in your office so everyone participates in the daily interaction, including having a constituent advisory council that changes yearly.
6. Inclusivity and Representation: They should represent the interests of all their constituents, including marginalized and underrepresented groups. Policies should be developed considering diversity and inclusivity, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and valued. There is no place for negative biases in any government official. Yes, that may be idealistic, but I truly believe it must be a significant goal for everyone in government.
7. Fiscal Responsibility: My representatives should practice fiscal responsibility, ensuring that all government funds are used efficiently and effectively. Budget decisions should be made with a long-term perspective, aiming for sustainable financial health. Quit using government finances as a weapon for getting what you want. Call those using it as a weapon out and expose the other options that can be done so that no group is devastated by significant changes. Don’t allow last-minute votes that threaten government closures.
8. Vision and Leadership: I expect my representatives to demonstrate vision and Leadership. They should address current issues and anticipate future challenges and opportunities, guiding their communities toward growth and prosperity. We are the land of the free and the brave, so let’s keep it that way. We are also the melting pot, so let’s embrace it but with logical and affordable immigration rules and regulations. There should be NO place for hate, war-mongering, or isolationism in government today.

These expectations form a basis for governance that fosters trust, respect, and collaboration between the government and its citizens. I need to ask anyone who reads this to look in the mirror and decide whether you can commit to these standards before we start pressuring the government to change.

This is a balancing act for everyone, and that was the intention of our founding fathers. They knew the only way democracy would continue to work was to have Honesty, integrity, humility, and trust in every branch of the government. History is fraught with attempts to divert from this, but it has only come to an explosive edge in the last 20 years. Everyone will have to make sacrifices to maintain the freedoms we have stood for in the past. We are all human and, as such, flawed and somewhat distracted. However, we are intelligent enough to make rational choices and a willingness to suck it up at all levels. Let’s balance it with those who can sacrifice more and do it willingly as an example to everyone else.

However, 2024 will be the first election where we have a potentially declared dictator as a presidential candidate on one side and an aging left-leaning candidate on the other with no real solid candidates in the background. How will we fair? Think before you Vote.

You may call these idealistic, even Utopian, but remember, and I will always be a confident, God-fearing protopian who believes in the power of the human spirit, intelligence, and emotional foundation to do the right thing.