-Isms: View on life in rural America

“If you’re going to talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk.”

A superintendent I worked for said this phrase during monthly faculty meetings too many times to count. I’ve been thinking a lot that quote - and how he leveraged the phrase to spur people to action.

Since the November election, I’ve listened to grumbling about everything from political candidates’ qualifications to an overabundance of government overreach to a general dissatisfaction with public policy. Most conversations end how they started - a lot of talk. The taking action portion - walking the walk - never comes to fruition.

We, as a society, tend to use social media as a platform to complain about civics, yet most people choose not to engage in the decision-making process. Many become keyboard warriors, instead of championing a cause.

They talk the talk, but when it’s time to walk the walk, they stumble.

In “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community,” author Robert Putnam explains how participation in civic duties has decreased.

The bottom line: a shrinking pool of potential candidates.

I’m not talking one or two. Putnam suggests our lack of engagement has led to the loss of tens of thousands of potential candidates.

The problem doesn’t end there. Fewer people attend meetings, lead organizations, assist with a committee. I can’t tell you the number of times I have attended a local governmental entity’s meeting and I am the lone audience member.

If you fail to actively participate, do you have a right to complain?

According to Putnam’s research, over the past quarter century, a 58% decrease in club meetings has occurred, family dinners have seen a 43% fall and small get-togethers have dropped by 35%.

Our lack of social capital - conversations and connections within our social networks - is fading. What will happen when being sociable isn’t the sociable choice anymore?

At the beginning of the year, I set a goal to actively participate in legislation that affects me, my family or our small business.

Yes, it takes time to research proposed legislation, whether on the local, state or national level. I’ve also been contacting my state legislator about several bills in which I am interested, including rural broadband funding as well as a proposed new prison, and have expressed concerns, at the national level, about proposed postal changes that may affect this newspaper.

If I’m going to talk the talk, I definitely will sashay down the runway and let my voice be heard.

At the state level, testifying for or against a bill is easy. A written position letter may be turned in, written testimony may be emailed and must include “I request that this letter be included as part of the public hearing record,” or individuals may testify in person.

If you want to make a difference on a local level, the best advice is simple. Get involved. Show up.

Most importantly, learn to listen. It will make a world of difference.

Become informed on issues. Communicate with elected officials. Send a letter to the editor. Volunteer.

Without public participation, our government, “of, by and for the people,” will perish.