New Year’s resolutions for elected officials and those who elect them
8th January 2024 · 0 Comments
People are striving to keep their New Year’s resolutions as we roll into the second week of 2024. They’re eating clean, drinking more water, exercising more, committing to eliminating harmful habits, and starting anew with a healthier mental and physical mindset.
Gratitude journals, goal setting, and starting podcasts or YouTube channels are suggestions floating around digital media.
A different approach to improving the quality of life is Feng shui, the ancient Chinese art that involves arranging objects, buildings and spaces to balance chi (energy) and harmony. The goal of Feng shui is to invite positive chi into your home so that your life feels both energized and balanced, according to Architectural Digest.
Yet, given the challenges posed by local, state and federal governments, 2024 resolutions should also include carrying out our civic responsibilities. Americans can’t let elected officials operate without oversight.
Several elected officials are threatening to destroy the rule of law, violate constitutional rights as we know them, and, as one proposed, “shred the Constitution” to remain in power. As we approach the third anniversary of the January 6 insurrection conspiracy with the twice impeached, disgraced 45th president facing 91 criminal charges and at least six court cases.
The same criminally charged citizen, Donald J. Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, says he will be a “dictator” on day one.
Americans who believe in the rule of law and democracy feel the political landscape is shifting. Elected state officials who are serious about democracy and their oaths of office are taking a stand against the wanna-be dictator and are trying to keep him off their ballots. Everyone knows Trump is running to keep himself out of jail.
To say trust in some government officials is at an all-time low is putting it mildly. Political analysts expect the Republican-dominated Supreme Court of the United States to find a way around holding Trump accountable as most of his acolytes have done since he threw his hat in the ring the first time.
So, it’s up to voters now to save democracy, stabilize the Union, and kick traitors to the Constitution out of office.
American voters must add civic responsibilities to their New Year’s resolutions. They must stay woke to proposed legislation, government rules and laws, and policies negatively affecting U.S. citizens. Voters must address and call out elected officials steadily chipping away at Americans’ fundamental rights to keep themselves in power.
From the overturning of Roe v Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court to strict abortion bans by state legislatures and the Republicans unfairly gerrymandering state legislatures, the judiciary, city councils and congressional maps to Republican shenanigans by presidential candidates and governors, 2024 is shaping up to be a battle royale for Americans’ human, civil and constitutional rights.
Voting and helping others to vote, joining unions, coalitions and organizations seeking justice, holding candidates and elected officials accountable, creating media/content to speak truth to power, running for public office, and calling and sending emails to top officials to express dissatisfaction should be 2024 resolutions.
Running for a public office is costly, but there are ways to get your platform out to the public, have your voice heard, and speak on behalf of the least of these without incurring debt. Most social media platforms are free to use.
In 2024, elected officials should have several resolutions relating to their jobs. First and foremost, they should remember who pays their salaries.
Secondly, they should effectively communicate with their constituents. They can’t assume that everyone has a computer, but even if they do, people don’t have time to hold meetings on official websites. Newsletters, emails, and walking the neighborhood all work to inform voters. Surveying citizens about their needs is also influential.
Elected officials should take meaningful action beyond sound bites to resolve citizens’ legitimate complaints. Officeholders have heard them all before – taxes too high, insurance too high, utilities too high, wages too low, too many schools are failing – but rarely solve these problems.
State legislators also should put retaining citizens on their list to stem the tide of lost tax revenues.
Less than a year ago, U.S. News & World Report cited U.S. Census data showing Louisiana ranked among states with a numeric decline in the population between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022. St. John the Baptist Parish, Terrebonne Parish, Plaquemines Parish, and St. John Parish were among the Top Ten Counties in Percent Decline during that period.
Last but not least, all elected officials in the state should come together and plan to reverse Louisiana’s dismal U.S. News & World Report’s embarrassing 50th Overall Ranking Score.
RANKINGS SCORECARD
Crime & Corrections #50
Economy #50
Education #46
Fiscal Stability #38
Health Care #45
Infrastructure #49
Natural Environment #49
Opportunity #48
Voters must stay vigilant and monitor what goes on in local, state, and federal governments. Politicians who are not striving to increase the quality of life for their constituents should be voted out. Elections are coming up in 2024 and 2025.
This article originally published in the January 8, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
