Positive change difficult to achieve

To the editor:

Regarding Phil Alexander's March 22 column 'What's the best way to share our causes?”:

I'll tell you why I have become less engaged in affecting positive change in my community. I have been advocating for non-motorized access for decades. I want facilities to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. It's good for the planet and good for individuals.

Before cycling became hip and the term ‘complete streets' was known to urban planners, I was fighting government alone. One person cannot affect change at any level of government. The bureaucracy is designed to beat the individual down until you choose between your life and sanity or climbing the impossible mountain.

There are many levels of people to wade through. It takes immense amounts of time. Public forums and meetings are held at times that discourage the individual from attending. Or, as in our City Council format, the public comment portion is at the end of the City Council meeting, so the individual sits through the entire meeting, often hours, to get their 60 seconds at the microphone.

I have concluded that our government of the people, by the people, and for the people, actually hates the people. We are an inconvenience. I've tried. There have been a few small victories, but for the most part my ideas and suggestions have gone into the black hole of government. Who would feel good about continuing on that path? Especially when the path is full of mud, rocks and standing water.

Lisa Paulos

Cedar Rapids