Bakersfield.com

During the final months of 2006 there was a flurry of activity at the local level.  There were articles in the paper, editorials, letters to the editor, blogs, forums, and more - almost all of them were about local politics.  Many people were actually thinking, weighing the qualifications of one candidate over another, judging their stands on various issues, taking sides and, in some cases, arguing vigorously for the candidate who fell within the parameters of what they wanted in a public official.

Unfortunately, after reading the paper on November 3rd, these same individuals fell into a local government coma.  They seemingly were content to let the people elected now do all the thinking and acting as if to say, "Elections over!  Now life can get back to normal."

But events and circumstances have been reported.  A councilman who ran on his accounting experience is not filing complete conflict of interest forms, experienced planning committee members are replaced with "new blood," education board members who promised to help raise student scores argue over what to call school holidays, the county retirement liability will eventually bankrupt the County budget, and the list goes on.  But no one wants to think about it much less do anything about it.

"We the People" in the Preamble was not meant to only apply during elections.  We the people must be involved in out leaders and their actions all the time - democracy is a full-time job!

Make a resolution to attend at least one meeting of a government board every month or at least get an agenda and find out what is going on.  Become familiar with the Brown Act and the Freedom of Information Act.  Know your rights and exercise them.  If you think some action by a board is wrong, write to the newspaper.  If an elected official is not carrying out campaign promises or is doing something unethical or worse, illegal, use the power of the people - organize or support a recall election - you don't have to be stuck with a bad leader.

I'm sorry, but I must confess:  Even as honest as I think I am, my conscience is stronger when I know that someone is watching me.  Government shouldn't be watching its citizens; its citizens should be watching it!