Dear Representatives,

I’ve got a bone to pick with you.

I am a twenty-something single, white, non-religious, full-time employed woman with a Bachelor’s degree and heaps of student debt. I want you to know that I am not your constituent. You do not represent me or my interests. I am not happy with the performance of this two-party system. Some things need to change.

The Republican party seems to be a lost cause. And with their increasing prevalence of right-wing extremism in word and deed, it’s fair to say they probably feel the same about me. By default, I should be a proud Democrat. But I’m not a one-dimensional feminist stereotype, a single-issue voter, or even only a social issues voter, and I do not appreciate being dismissed as such.

You see, I’m a Texan, too, liberal and in favor of second amendment rights, conservative government spending, and restrictions on late-term abortions. I’m a moderate, an independent, and like many Americans, I am perpetually undecided between two disappointing selections for personal representation, both locally and nationally.

Party platforms are not a mission statement; they are designed to alienate half the population and to garner votes from the right kind of people. Neither of the popular parties is inclusive. It is widely known that so many policies, efforts, and legislation are not made in the interests of the people one is elected to serve but in the interests of the highest bidder, big businesses, increased government interference, or one’s own résumé and reelection efforts.

I’m sure you’ve accomplished many things during your time in office. But is the visible sum of your achievements championing the causes your voters care about and doing the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people, or not rocking the boat and securing funding for another term?

Reelection is not a measure of success. Making a difference is. It’s not just a job. You have the power to improve the lives of many, to leave the world a better place than you found it, and overall to do the right thing with the power and force your position affords you. I expect more.

I expect progress and compromise; we’re not paying you to filibuster and block useful legislation nor to lie down and accept a bullying majority. I expect respect for diversity; you can’t legislate morality and force religion on the nation. Not being able to make others do what you want is not the same as persecution. I expect you to pick your battles. Tell me why we’re fighting other nation’s wars and imprisoning thousands of non-violent criminals instead of directing those precious monetary resources toward fixing our deficit, eliminating our debt, feeding our hungry, housing our homeless, and improving our education.

I expect leaders who will work for their constituents.

I could pontificate all day long, but it doesn’t matter unless I get out and vote. . . . Actually, it still doesn’t matter if I get out and vote. I live in a red county in a red state, and my vote may never matter. Even if a third-party candidate exists to represent me better, the electoral college’s winner-take-all system guarantees my vote is no more than an exercise in futility, a waste of time. Is that the democracy of which we’re proud to be a part? Is this the kind of system you want to be a part of--one that trivializes the votes and the interests of any group of people?

The answer should be a resounding NO. So what are we going to do about it? What are you going to do to fix the problems, improve the system, and regain the respect and trust of the people?

Expectantly,
M. Paullet