David Bruce Robinson, CPA's List of What All Citizens Should Do to Participate in the Political Process
Volume 11, Number 42
Issue 538
Register to vote and vote! If you aren’t registered to vote in the right district or don’t go out on election day to vote, you really are paying a lot for something (through your taxes) and then aren’t using it. If you are upset at our level of taxes (and I am, too), you must exercise your right to vote. Vote for the politician that shares your views about government and taxes--whatever the office.
Write handwritten letters to legislators and those seeking office! If you have an opinion about Federal, State or Local taxes, write a handwritten letter to your elected official stating how you feel. For example, if Senator George Allen got 20,000 handwritten letters a week (a fraction of the population of Virginia) advocating drastic tax simplification, I would hope that he would introduce a bill to allow Congress to start discussing it. Write letters of opinion to candidates, too, so that they will incorporate your ideas into their campaigns. By writing candidates you will become part of the future of politics.
Become active in organizations that work to bring about political change! I think that there is strength in numbers and the best thing to do to work to bring about tax reduction and tax efficiency is to get together in a group and start discussing it. Whether you want to join a political party (you‘d be surprised how politics at a local level is more about fellowship than politics), a meet-up group, or a lobbying organization (such as The Sierra Club or AARP), join a group and start working towards positive change.
Get your checkbook out! There usually is admission to be paid to get to the more advanced level of being involved in the political process. For example, if you want to influence Congressman Eric Cantor’s position on prescription drugs being covered by Medicare, pay the fee to go to his fundraiser and when you shake his hand, don’t let go until you have said 2-3 well thought-out sentences about how you feel. Also, right now, Republican and Democratic candidates are starting their candidacies for Governor of Virginia. For small amounts of money, you can attend fundraisers and start a personal relationship with the next Governor, a governor that will inherit terrible budget problems and transportation issues.
Consider running for an office that you think you can get elected to! This is what I decided to do. I realized that the advice, counsel and opinions that I was giving out about our government and our system of taxation were meaningless unless I was prepared to run for office myself. I decided to choose an office that I thought I could get elected to, “Chesterfield County Soil and Water Conservation District Director,” and then I started my campaign with the help of my family, my staff and my closest allies. There is a horrible shortage of good candidates for public office--all offices. Too many incumbents run unopposed! I think that candidates should be encouraged to run and not be criticized or chagrined. By running myself, I have given the voters a choice.
David B. Robinson, CPA
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