Over the next few months, we will be bombarded by advertisements, telephone calls and pamphlets that claim to have simple solutions to our nation’s complex and persistent problems. No doubt we will all come to dread the smiling political candidate, the telephone call at dinner, the parades of volunteers at our doors.

But it has never been more important for us to take seriously those who vie to represent us. Our manufacturing jobs are disappearing. Our seniors are hurting. Our schools are struggling. Our rural areas are fighting just to survive. There’s no more time to waste tinkering with broken programs, playing games with the lives of our young men and women overseas. We can’t afford to sleep through this election year.

The United States has unparalleled financial and intellectual resources. There is no reason we should not be a model for other nations.

We deserve a country in which each person holds the genuine chance to secure an education, hold a job, take care of a family and live in dignity. We should demand this of elected officials.

Giant corporate interests know how to get their voices heard in Washington — they hire lobbyists who wine and dine elected officials. They give millions of dollars to campaign war chests.

As individual citizens, most of us can’t fly Congressmen to exclusive parties in the Caribbean, but we can educate ourselves and get involved. We can ask the tough questions and demand answers.

It is only then that democracy will work for all our best interests, not just the special interests.

Art Small

Democratic Party

2004 U.S. Senate Candidate