True Representation

Here in America we might have a Republic, but we do not have a Democratic Republic.  We have become accustomed to voting in politicians who we believe are qualified to make good decisions rather than politicians who will make good decisions based on public voice.  Politicians give charismatic speeches that inspire opinions they already have rather than being inspired by those they're representing.  Requests to make helpful changes in communities are often met with a smile and a word of encouragement from elected officials rather than political action.

True representation of a people requires more than simple acknowledgement.  It requires the realization that  the general public actually does have a good idea of what its necessities are (instead of being told what they are) and that they do have the foresight to make good decisions about their community.  Pride and money seem to hold so many back from lending an ear and a hand.

Here is yet another quote from It Comes from the People:

[The Block Grant Campaign] showed how scared and upset elected officials can become when grass-roots groups try to practice democracy by trying to participate in decision making and planning for their own communities. ... Today many government officials seem afraid of community participation; officials are accustomed to "working for" communities, and they feel hurt and unappreciated when questioned by citizens. ... Politicians prefer passive and grateful voters.  When a community group uses its power to convince the officials to make a particular decisions, the officials often feel "forced" or intimidated.  They seem to believe that their decisions should not be "influenced," should be neutral rather than based on the requests of their constituents.

 - Hinsdale, Lewis, and Waller