Why everyone needs to be involved in Politics

I cannot think of a time in my life when I was not politically inclined.
I guess early on I realized that my life would be affected in some way shape or form by politics, be it local or federal.
Perhaps it was my Grandfather who was instrumental in the creation of the first Credit Union in my home town.
Maybe it was listening to my father, who was active in his Unions ranting and raving when he came home from a meeting or could it have been the politics of dealing with neighbors as we tried to irrigate our small farm.
Possibly it had to do with half of my heritage coming from a centuries war torn area, whatever the case I have always been interested and tried to be politically informed.
At some point it was probably spurred by my insatiable quest for knowledge. Reading entire sets of Encyclopedias certainly had me wondering as did pouring over the National Geographic made my mind drift to the politics of other countries and the lives that resided there.
Government and Sociology were the only two classes in High School which really interested me.

So why should you be interested in Politics you ask?
Well very simple, every part of your life is shaped by Politics. If your child goes to school Federal, State and Local politics dictate their learning curriculum.
Going to work? Well every part of your work is politically motivated, from the house your work, time off to the safety is all regulated on a Federal and State Level.
IF you are home owner it is especially important as you pay extra local taxes over other people and if you think just renting gets you off the hook, you would be wrong. Renting rights are political as are the premises you are offered and how you are treated as a Renter.
As a food consumer your purchases are regulated as are almost all commodities. I say almost all as Oil, despite being arguably one of our most important commodities really is not regulated as a Commodity, however how you get your oil is Political.
Woman Voter?
Believe it or not, women actually took beatings to make sure women could vote. Until the early part of the 20th century women in most of the industrialized world were considered second class citizens.

I can go on but I think you get the picture, so what now?

Well now this means you have to be involved in some way or another, this benefits you.
Some people pick Social Media as a platform and this is fine, it is certainly better than nothing, but it seems people go instantly tribal online.
The Tribal attitude takes away from the meeting of people in person, where barriers can truly be broken down.
As we scream liberal or conservative, we often forget that those people are the ones we work and live with each day.
They bleed like all of us, will need medical care and at some point will need some sort of a social service, so it behooves us to try and communicate.
How best is this done?
Well as you know I am not short on opinions nor am I short on insults, as much as I like hte later it seems to get no one anyplace save Trump.
You are far better off explaining your position and even more so explaining how it affects your life.
Maybe you had a sick family member, knew someone going through the immigration process or are a hunter or an outdoorsman wanting more land access, explain your position and move to dialog.
Once yelling starts walk away, nobody is listening from that point forward.

Go to meetings.
Like it or not this is the most influential part of politics. Once you attend the meeting you are now head on involved with whatever cause you are a part of. You will find that more often than not your local Politicians want input and direction in where they are going with a decision and the common folk are notably missing in that participation.
Writing is good, but you are not able to hear their side and expand the dialog beyond.

Write and Call.
This is probably the most basic form of communication with your politicians and it needs to happen. Your voice in a Democracy is heard in some capacity whether you believe it or not. Perhaps that individual you are trying to communicate with is polar opposite over you, that does not matter, if it is a tight race they will be forced to become more moderate on positions to gain your vote, so you are in a sense winning right there.

Last Protest.
I think the last step is Protesting, when you feel your voice is no longer being heard and your rights are gone, get out and physically do something about it.
Take to the streets but make sure you do so legally, while we enjoy the right to protest in the First Amendment, it like the rest of our Rights are regulated, simply taking to the streets can get you fined or thrown in jail.
Outrageous you say!
Well to some extent I agree, however your protest may not be mine, and I and others simply want to get to work, so you holding up traffic could make us late. It can also effect emergency travel. IF you had filled out proper permits then at least we would know to take another route.

Be strong and be involved.

Regardless of what country you live in, people would have sacrifice their lives to get you to a point you enjoy today, or perhaps a point where you would like to be.
Do not take that sacrifice lightly.