Duties Of A Responsible Citizen Through An Author's Insight

Once Again, T.O. Illustratio Uses A Storybook Format To Paint A Picture Of An Accountable Citizen In Action

He seemed like the perfect candidate. His upbringing within a tight family unit encouraged unselfish, enthusiastic participation in acts of charity, kindness, and service within the private sector. He became known for creating innovative methods of action involving divergent thinking that brought together people who previously distanced themselves from any ideas that contradicted their own. He was considered the living, breathing example of the duties of a responsible citizen.

After much prodding, cajoling, even pleading, he was persuaded to take his skills to the public sector. The local council meetings in their small town had become more well-known for dissolving into heated exchanges where no one was listening and emotions that were already simmering on the sidewalk before the council chamber doors opened, descended into full-throated tumult.

The most common result of these municipal sideshows was all business being tabled until the next month. And like every hair shampoo on store shelves, the process would be the same. Rinse and repeat. No one listening, nothing being accomplished. Everyone leaving exhausted and dispirited.

It was envisioned, or more accurately, hoped, that this man of honor could be the voice of reason. He had after all, proven his value as a local leader in successful projects within their town, all completed by volunteers. Those very same volunteers who were so divided at these public meetings.

It wasn't what he ever wanted to do. He didn't relish the spotlight. He was mortified of speaking in public, although he had the rare gift of successful team-building when communicating the vision of one of his ideas. Perhaps it was his quiet, calm delivery? Certainly, a key tool in his leadership arsenal was his ability to remain silent when someone was talking, even when his inner voice was crying out for him to interrupt.

Now he was being implored to take his skills, his understanding of the duties of a responsible citizen into the quicksand of small town politics. He knew that partisanship and red tape were the albatross around the neck of every great idea, every plan to remedy, rehabilitate, restore, or renovate.

Taking The Duties of A Responsible Citizen To The Public Sector

He accepted the challenge and presented his plans, his hopes, and his expectations to his community. It wasn't polished as he stuttered and stammered in the spotlight. His fellow citizens knew him as a quiet, thoughtful person but they also knew of his ability to bring about positive results.

Upon being elected, he immediately dug into uniting his community. He spoke of the duties of a responsible citizen. To respect the law, to respect the rights of every person, to become aware of the needs of their community, to become involved in improving things, to be part of the solution.

He asked people to offer positive suggestions, and at the same time to allow everyone else to share their opinions in a respectful, adult-like atmosphere. He intentionally put teams together that included members with diametrically opposed viewpoints. He charged them with working together to complete their tasks.

Change had begun. Things were happening, division was evaporating, growth was occurring and problems were being solved. All of his appointed tasks took people back to the duties of a responsible citizen. All of his tasks took people back to respecting each other and working toward the common good.

Statewide Notice

There would be an open seat representing his state in one chamber of congress in the upcoming election. Statewide operatives noticed the success of this small town and it's humble, yet effective council member. He was pressed to accept the nomination for this national office. This statewide election would draw intense media coverage because the balance of power was razor-thin and this seat could swing the pendulum.

He did find some appeal in the prospect of bringing his small-town strategies to the Capital. But his disdain for either major political party and the track record of impasse, gridlock, childish petulance, and lack of responsibility to the elected position this branch of government had descended into, led him to doubt how he could change such a powerful negative tide.

He was curtly reminded by these political operatives that while selecting candidates based on ideals and ethics was admirable, electability was the most valuable trait. And without alignment to a particular party, electability was unlikely.

After days of soul-searching, he was reminded of his own words to his small community. He had called on them to get involved, to do what they could to become part of the solution. He had called on them to accept the duties of a responsible citizen.

Going To Washington

He followed his own call to action and to his astonishment was elected to serve his district in Washington. The official swearing in, his assignment to the committee on ethics, his first session in Congress all became a whirlwind of euphoria and a little trepidation. He wondered if he would be up to the task. His resolve in living up to the duties of a responsible citizen would soon be tested.

Two votes were coming up. One was a bill sponsored by a member of the party that had supported his election and in which he was supposed to belong. Along with everyone else, he was given a massive compendium and was told that he was expected to vote 'Yes" on this bill. He quickly responded that no one could read this much in one day and be ready to ask questions about the content. After an incredulous look from the decades long member of congress who directed these meetings, he was informed that he could read it after it successfully passed.

The second vote would center on a bill from the opposing party. He was also dutifully informed that he would be expected to follow the party line and vote against this measure. He began to see the proof of the morass that was this legislative body. He asked, "What if there are good parts of the opposition party proposal that could help our nation?" The answer, "It doesn't work that way. We vote along party lines."

As his time went along in his new role, he found himself isolated and castigated by party elders. Remaining true to the duties of a responsible citizen would require often going it alone. He would not vote affirmatively on anything unless given time to read the entire bill. He would not reject out of hand the ideas of the other side of the aisle, and would in fact support their good ideas.

When talk circulated about shutting down the chamber in protest, he realized that sometimes a person finds his or her moment and sometimes the moment finds them. The moment had arrived for him. He found his courage to call out the pettiness of both sides. He challenged the ethics and the honesty of members who took an oath to serve their nation and were now proposing to shut down their chamber. They were entrusted by their constituents to serve their district.

It was much easier to turn the tide of negativity in his small town. This new challenge would be eminently more difficult. It isn't easy to adhere to and perform the duties of a responsible citizen. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

He drew his line in the stand. If it meant his time in Washington was just one term, it would be one term based on the ethics and honesty instilled in him years ago. He would not buckle under to the pressure, nor would he be lured by payola.

He would burn the boats of irresponsibility and deceit. There would be no steps back from his moral compass and his promise to serve his nation to the best of his ability.

Written by T.O. Illustratio

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