Get busy and get involved

Sometimes Boise feels like it's on another planet instead of just the other end of the state.

It's easy to forget that our legislators are just a phone call, letter or e-mail away. Same with the state officials. (And, for that matter, our federal representatives as well.)

And, contrary to the opinion of some, they really do want to know what we're thinking, and what we want from our state government. They want to know what kinds of bills we think are fair, whether we have too much government or too little.

And, with the state's economy and education system leading the list on issues that residents care about most, according to a public policy survey done annually by Boise State University, we need to break that dangerous habit of cynicism and apathy to tell our legislators what we are thinking.

Because, according to that same survey, that just because we care deeply about how the state is spending our money and funding our schools, it doesn't mean that we do anything about it.

We just complain about it.

According to Jim Weatherby, a political science professor at BSU, that sense of disconnect between voters and legislators seems to be growing every year. Weatherby compares the political process to a sporting event where the players just happen to not wear uniforms.

Unfortunately, he said, if you don't pay attention, the "game" is hard to follow.

Politics is a game we can't afford not to follow or abdicate the responsibility of involvement in the process to someone else. The decisions made by our legislators involve every aspect of our lives — the taxes we pay, the laws we follow and the education our children receive.

It doesn't matter what political party you may or may not belong to, it doesn't matter what your views are, it doesn't even matter if you voted (although you should have and you better the next time).

It's your home, your children and your money — why wouldn't you be involved?

There was a unwritten rule around my house when we were growing up — if you didn't make dinner — or at least suggest something you couldn't complain about what was served. "I don't know" and "I don't care" weren't an option — and we'd get "that look" from Mom (you know the one) if we tried to complain about the meal.

Fortunately, like when I was growing up, the solution is simple.

Get involved. Period. No excuses.

Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.