There is always a choice, but it must be made.

With years of political dysfunction in Washington, it’s understandable that a lot of the online community has adopted a decent amount of cynicism for our political process as a whole.

“Who cares – I’m tired of greedy politicians and their endless lies.  They can shut down the government forever for all I care”, cries one anonymous commentator.

But let’s follow that line thinking to its logical conclusion.

If you love to rant and rave about how bad it is, don’t you also need someone bigger than you to make sure that the powers that be don’t simply decide to silence your protest?

What if you weren’t lucky enough to be born in the US and the internet was suddenly turned off just as we saw happen in Egypt and Libya… What then?

I know a lot of people do talk a lot of trash on the net, and that’s a great thing that we can… but…

What I’ve got a problem with is how rarely that energy is focused on the problems that are facing us at this very minute.

We have the technology.  We can reach out to friends and family members and create an amazing sense of unity.

Politicians are still obligated to listen to our voices on Capitol Hill. Especially when we work together.

Things weren’t so easy in colonial times.

So then, what is this overwhelming sense of cynicism that seems to zap our strength and chill our courage.  This is still the land of the free and the home of the brave after all.

In light of recent news, I was lucky to have a chance to interview the Mayor of Coronado last month.

The advice that he gave our youth growing speaks directly to the situation before us.

“You have to face the world with your eyes open.”

We have to understand what’s going on if we are going to find a way forward.

Cynicism will only drive us back.

Please read on to find out how your children can overcome their hesitations in becoming involved in our political process to fulfill their destiny as the next standard bearers of our Democracy.

– Jeremiah Magone

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“The Ambassador Generation”

“Our challenge is to find a way to make politics as gripping and engaging as sports.” – Noam Chomsky

Casey Tanaka’s road to becoming the Mayor of Coronado started as simply as paying attention to the politics in town.  He got interested.

He got involved.

This is exactly the kind of awareness that you can give your children as well.

The Mayor told me in an interview last month that, “The best people to get involved

(in politics) are the people who find it naturally; those who think that they would like to serve… maybe sometime in the future.”

It makes perfect sense.

But ask yourself, “Where did that original idea come from? And how can I make sure that my kids aren’t losing interest in the political system because of all of the negative things that are going these days?”

 “Face the world with your eyes open”

Politics aside, Mayor Tanaka reminded me that our democracy relies upon everyone’s involvement and connection to one another.

That’s the only way that we can decide things as a community.

That’s how the constitution survives as a “living document”.

And this also a huge opportunity for your children’s future.

Why?

Because, simply put – if you can help your children to understand the responsibility that they have to their peers, to understanding the world around them, then you are also giving them the understanding that they need to serve in an area of larger ambition later in life.

Here’s a great example that Mayor Tanaka gave me for you to consider.

“Last year in Carlsbad, they had one of their school board members resign midterm.  They hadn’t appointed any successors through the committee and they decided that it would be too expensive to run an election for a partial term.  So what did they do?  They went back to one of the student representatives that had served with them in 1994 and nominated her to the board.  Her experience and participation was exactly what they were looking for.  It made her the right person for the job.”

She had shown them that she was connected to what was going on, that she cared.

That’s the special quality that made her stand out.

Your children can do the same.

“In Coronado, it doesn’t come down to the money race.”

Even in one of the more expensive areas of in San Diego, it’s heartening to hear – from the Mayor himself – that your reputation is much more important than privilege.

Again, it comes down to one word – connection.

I’m not talking about connections to the “right” people.

As Mayor Tanaka pointed out, “It’s about gaining the esteem of your peers”.

It’s about listening to them and building an understanding.

Becuause when you’re listening to people, you’re creating a connection.

That’s how they’lll know that you’ll be the right person to represent them… because they know, at the gut level, that you understand how they think, feel and believe.

That’s what democracy is all about

That’s why, if you can volunteer – you should…. And if you can serve on a

committee in your local government, even better.

Get informed by sitting in on one of your local city council meetings, etc…

Because the simple truth is this – if you want to show your children the importance of being connected and making the voices of those that they know and love heard by our elected officials, then you have to lead by example.

Support a worthy cause in your town.

Or even give John Bohner, the speaker of the House of Representatives a call at (202) 225 – 0600 and tell him what you and your family are concerned about.

Remember, our elected officials have an obligation to listen to you.

And, I guarantee that even if you are just calling to say ‘hi’, you’re going drive that point home.

That’s how you can impress upon your children just how important their connection to the political process really is.

It doesn’t mean that you have to follow every issue, or know everything.

Our country is suffering from a certain sense of political apathy these days.

At times, it seems like we have too many wars, too much infighting and scandal to even keep track of.

A lot of us have, for the most part, shut our eyes and turned away from the politics all together.

It’s not a very good topic to bring up at a party, but it’s a great way to ruin Thanksgiving.

However, would you ignore your responsibilities in business just because you were feeling overwhelmed?

Of course not.

Would you let your children forget to take care of their bills when they grow up?

No.  You would tell them that they need to figure out what’s going on and do something to handle the situation.

That’s exactly what we have to do in our democracy as well.

We have to stay involved.  We have to listen, learn and stay connected to one another.

This is the best vaccine for whatever problems we have facing us.

This is our personal responsibility to the health of our society.

“Whenever a group elects you, they believe in your intelligence,

ability and character.”

This is not only true for politicians, it’s true for everyone.

Your children don’t have to be elected in order to represent your community.

You don’t have to hold any position higher than “Mom” or “Dad” to make a big impression.

We need leaders in every area of life.

We need those who know how to make the connection… to listen, empathize and above all participate.

I believe that our children are “The Ambassador generation”, but they won’t know it unless you tell them.

Show your children how much their voice matters by making yourself heard.

Apathy will never help them take their rightful place within our democracy.

It will never contribute to our nation’s growth, our stability, our freedom.

The sooner we can engage our next generation of leaders… the sooner we can inspire them to take responsibility for our political system…  then, the sooner you will know that you’ve done your part to carry the flickering flame of democracy to the generations of the future.

– Jeremiah Magone

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