Scott Maxwell writes a good column on politics in the Orlando Sentinel. Today's column explains how he wakes up and gets ticked off at government and political shenanigans after reading the papers. So, he provided tips to his readers on how to get more involved to fix government and politics.
They are below... his reasons are some of those that agree with why I will soon start a group of Fiscal Rangers to provide another avenue to implement change and improvement in government and politics in Lake County
vj
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from OrlandoSentinel.com at:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-maxwell0908apr09,0,7825472.column
and the list of his columns is at:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/columnists/orl-maxwell,0,134788.columnist
OrlandoSentinel.com
COMMENTARY TAKING NAMES
Mad? Get vocal, get informed -- and get involved
Scott Maxwell
TAKING NAMES
April 9, 2008
Most mornings, I wake up around 6 a.m. -- and am ticked off by 6:15.
It comes from picking up the newspaper and reading about the latest shenanigans in Orlando, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. And it's been that way most of my life -- which is probably why I'm a newspaper columnist.
What's interesting, though, is that more and more Central Floridians seem to be waking up as well. They're fed up -- and finally ready to take action.
I'm hearing it from readers such as Eric Jedraszczak, who sounded off about the laughable ethics "reform" passed in Seminole County, where commissioners continue to allow themselves to moonlight as lobbyists for special interests.
"Where do we go when we see things going wrong?" Eric asked. "Are there places to call, people to contact?"
I heard it from Chere Force in Maitland, who was appalled to read the latest about the beleaguered expressway authority -- where Charlie Crist appointed a lobbyist and political fundraiser to a board already mired in too much politics and fundraising.
"It is hard to know how and to whom I can voice my objections in a timely way so that they really count," Chere wrote. "Any book, class or group that can teach an old, time-strapped dog some of the new tricks to keep up and make my voice heard?"
We may have finally reached a tipping point. One scandal too many. One favor too far. One back scratched too blatantly.
Sure, there are plenty of hardworking, selfless servants. But others are muddying the water.
So yes, Eric and Chere, there is much you and everyone else can do.
*Show up at public meetings. Tell your elected officials how you feel. If they claim to empathize but just can't get others to pass something such as ethics reform, ask if they can suggest a more effective candidate for you to elect in their place.
*Vote. Way too often, people complain about politicians -- and then re-elect them. Look for good alternatives. And if your only other option is a nut case, well, maybe it's time to give the nut case a chance. Yes, we've sunk that low. Your dissenting vote will probably just send the incumbent a message. But in the off-chance we elect a nut case, at least it'd be fun to watch.
*Write your elected officials, so they will hear what you think. Better yet, write a letter to the editor, so everyone will hear. Many of these pols actually have staff who scan the papers for anything that mentions their bosses' names . . . which means that you're paying for the service anyway, so you might as well use it.
*Get involved with a good-government group. There's the League of Women Voters, CountyWatch and even your homeowners association. These folks are informed. And there's power in numbers. Don't do so just because you want to gore one particular ox. Work with them to gore everyone's.
*Read the paper. Sure, that sounds self-serving. But you're not going to find any one place with more information about what's going on in your community.
In particular, the zoned county sections -- Orange, Seminole, Volusia, etc. -- are treasure troves of detailed info.
There are more suggestions and contact numbers on the Taking Names blog at Orlando Sentinel.com/takingnames where you, too, can find ways to channel your early-morning frustrations.
Scott Maxwell, who promises he's not really as scary in the morning as he made it sound, can be reached at 407-420-6141 or [email protected].
