Like many on the night of Nov. 2, I was on Facebook talking to friends, had the CNN politics page open watching the national election results come in, and was in the Iowa State Daily’s Cover It Live chatroom getting the local results as they came in.

Almost every Facebook update was about the results, people complaining about the results and people complaining about how their Facebook feeds were full of all this political speech. I enjoyed every minute of it.

This is the one time every two years where everyone — for the most part — is focused on the big issues, and people really want to see change in our government. This was the one time sports didn’t matter, nothing on TV could distract you, not to mention it was kind of cold out that night, keeping most inside.

However, it was during this time that I realized something. As interesting as it was to me, I knew that it was just a two-day ordeal. And that’s the problem.

It would seem that in America, politics and any involvement with it only takes place for the day before and after the midterm election, and about a month or so leading up to the presidential election — every four years. Iowa is the exception to this rule because we do have caucuses that stir up the population for that brief period. And even then, it’s only for that month.

Ever notice how “your” candidate — who you campaigned for — almost never comes back to Iowa after the caucus? Yes, it’s because they need to caucus elsewhere, but it’s also because you quit caring and so do they. After all, why come here for the seven electoral votes when you can go to sunny Florida and get 27?

The point is, although some might not realize it, politics and government go on all year. Whether it be on a national level or even your state government, laws are being debated, legislation being passed, public officials being influenced.

Have you ever tried to call your federal senator or your representative? Although not likely, some of them might actually talk to you if you make an appointment and have a relevant request or issue. Not to mention that all government lawmaking is open to the public — this includes your city hall meetings, state government and federal government.

One could argue that although all of this is going on, this is why we elect our officials: to represent us, because most of us don’t have time to represent ourselves. This, I feel, is not the case. If we don’t watch our representatives, who will? Lobbyists, companies, people with a separate agenda than your own? They’d do so in a heartbeat.

It’s on us, not only to vote, but to watch year-round. Now I don’t expect anyone to turn on C-SPAN or have monthly visits with your congressperson, but at least observe what is taking place.

Read the Daily, listen to NPR, go to political websites. The first step to a better government is public awareness, and this, ladies and gentlemen, is how we will change the world.