Get engaged in the democratic process

I spent a couple hours knocking on doors recently for my favorite candidate for president. I appreciate the time people spent talking to me and I appreciate the civility they showed. It can be inconvenient to answer the door or the phone in almost endless political campaigns. Consider my view of the process.

When Election Day comes, how many people feel they don't have the choice of candidates they would prefer? Now is the time to help develop those choices. By not engaging now, you are limiting your influence over what choices are available. Iowans have considerably more influence if they engage.

Yes, making decisions is difficult. It is much more fun to watch your favorite cable news than to find and study a candidate's website and then dig deeper into their backgrounds and underlying philosophies.

Engaging with others makes this easier and, to me, more enjoyable. I perceive of people who knock on my door or call me on the phone as real patriots who are dedicated to working for a better country. They are often open to hearing my opinion, which I am happy to give!

Thinking of the knock on the door or phone call as an opportunity to participate in our democracy is much more uplifting to the spirit than to think of it as an interruption. I do believe that talking person-to-person is a large part of what can unite us in common cause.

Bruce R. Bachmann

Cedar Rapids