Letter: Citizens should literally speak to power

Monday, Nov. 20, 2006 | 7:33 a.m.

Since the election I've heard the phrase "speaking to power" - that is what the American people did in the election. They sent the message that they were fed up with politicians putting their self-interest and their parties' interests ahead of the interests of America and Americans. Also, they rebelled against hypocrisy, personal attacks and corruption in general.

I wish that the average citizen had a better understanding of "speaking to power." In City Council, County Commission and other government meetings there is a public comment period. Few citizens take advantage of this opportunity. In fact, far too few citizens write, e-mail, fax and phone politicians - federal, state and local - to express their concerns and complaints. When politicians sense that citizens are complacent and uniformed, they listen to lobbyists, who are on the legislative floor and in their offices.

I hope in the next two years both Republicans and Democrats will put self-interest to the side and, on a bipartisan basis, listen to independent and other parties and work to return our political system closer to the vision of our founders.

Frank Perna, Las Vegas