We have the power.
Are you ready to reflect?
This journey for reform has required a lot of change. This once loud, obnoxious, sports-addicted, bourbon-drinking boy wandering through the forest is now a loud, obnoxious, reading-addicted, coffee-drinking man on a mission. Change doesn’t have to be dramatic to have a big impact, but change requires reflection.
In my article today in The Hill, I challenge both leaders and followers to reflect and change. So many of us argue over what gets done and what doesn’t, but too few argue about how it gets done and who is doing the work. The work is supposed to be done by the people and Congress, not the President and the parties.
Our system is a system of checks and balances designed so no one group or individual has too much power. It’s a system where people have power through representation. However, years of failure to apportion power to people have resulted in a system that lacks representation and has the wrong incentives for power. This has tipped power too far toward the President and outside the reach of regular people.
Checks are ignored, and power is concentrated. Over and over again, year after year.
It’s not a Republican or Democrat problem. It’s not a Trump or Biden problem; it’s a political philosophy problem. We are either a republic of states governed by the people or an oligarchy governed by the elites. If people want power, then we need to exercise it. No amount of votes for the president will reign in the executive branch; only holding our representatives accountable will do that.
So whether you are an intellectual who cares about liberalism and American principles or an average voter who wants immigration reform, updated infrastructure, and our finances managed, stop giving away your power—exercise it. Speak up for Representation.
When reading my article, The president is not going to fix all of our problems—we must hold Congress accountable. I want you to reflect on your political behavior. Are you being the model you want the next generation to be? Are you following those who model what you want a leader to be? Are you focused on solutions or distracted by problems?
Sometimes, we look around at our world and want it to change, but our only power is to change ourselves and encourage others to follow us. I hope you follow me on my journey for reform. Please give me a hand and share my article about why we need more representation, better incentives, and to balance power.
Peace & Love,
Jeff Mayhugh