We've all seen the
"He's Not My President" bumper stickers, t-shirts, and paraphernalia. While I appreciate a good anti-Bush sticker as much as the next person, I take umbrage at this particular message, because I think it represents the larger, more dangerous problem between this nation and it's government.
I think this mentality is common amongst our ilk and, perhaps quite importantly, our would-be supporters: the man in the White House is not the president I voted for, or that fairly won the election, therefore I refuse to recognize him as my representative. But when we separate ourselves in this way from our officials, elected or not, we are insulating ourselves from their actions, and that's problematic.
The actions of an elected representative, through the institution of the vote, are done on your behalf as long as you are a participant (active or not) in this democracy. I don't think I'm telling anyone here anything they don't know. So why isn't every person in the country trembling in a stress-induced red nightmare knowing that each and very bomb dropped or bullet fired on 600,000+ Iraqi civilians was co-sponsored by you and me? It seems that a terrible psychosis grips us collectively when we don't recognize the relationship between the proxies we empower and ourselves. Apathy reigns in that disconnect.
We've created many committees and organizations within our government to ensure oversight and accountability, and, as we have seen, those are subject to corruption like any other part of a governing body. According to the Constitution, however, that responsibility of government oversight is ultimately our own. It is up to each and every woman and man in this country to keep watchful eyes on our government, and it is a responsibility that goes shirked by far too many.
Unfortunately it's difficult, and for those who don't participate or don't give half a shit, passivity equates to complicity.
Regardless or whether or not you voted for Bush or your congressfolk, they are representing you. Regardless of whether or not you believe an election was rigged, they are carrying out horrendous foreign and domestic policies in your name.
If you didn't stand up when you thought they were wrong, you have no one to blame but yourself.
Regardless of your bumper sticker.
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