Politics is NOT a Team Sport - Anyone Can Influence Policy

Image: OpenArt AI and TET.

Purely as a personal observation, and with no research of any kind at all, I feel part of the problem with today's politics in general, in western countries at least, is that it's become something of a team sport. At least people seem to treat it that way.

I'm aware there is such a thing as generational support, particularly in conservative households, where families have just always voted for conservative values. Likely more common with Christian, faith based families. That's fine.

However, in modern politics the discourse seems to be, you pick a side. Choose the political party that you feel most aligns with your view point and then stick with them, no matter what.

There is no room to look at what anyone else from outside your party is saying and think, "Yeah, they made a good point." If they're not on your team, they're just wrong. That's it.

Which is not how politics work.

A good politician, and by extension, political party, is one that can collaborate with members from other political parties. That's how things get done. It's also why, you never want any political party to hold a clear majority in government, not even your own. The less they need to collaborate and make deals the easier it is for corruption, and just bad policy, to get through.

Government conspiracy theorists will shout from the rooftops about these 'shady' back room deals being made without the voice of the people being heard but that's actually how politicians and politics work.

Technically, a politician is 'the voice of the people' since it is the people who each politician represents and are in service to. Not just the people who voted for them either but all people in the electorate they represent, regardless of how they voted.

In theory, if you're talking to a politician, they will respond in alignment with the people they are in service to.

Yes, you do get bad politicians that lose sight of what their job actually is i.e. representing the views and voice of their constituents, in favour of putting their own personal views and interests forward first. Possibly even allowing themselves and their vote to be bought by interested parties trying to fast track decision making in their favour. Ideally these kinds of politicians, if they don't fall on their sword midterm, will fail to be re-elected at the next ballot.

 All this to rather clumsily say, just because your candidate didn't win in an election, it does not mean you no longer have a voice in government. You don't have to wait until your person finally gets a seat in the house.

Just like politicians, you need to be able to work with whoever represents your electorate whether you voted for them or not. Even if they're on the polar opposite end of the political spectrum.

Sure, you're never going to convince a far left leaning politician that immigrants are all criminal drug dealers who are some how of good enough standing to steal all the jobs from hard working locals, or a far right politician that some sectors of the community do need extra help just to level the playing field for everyone, but there are issues, more in the middle, that any political viewpoint can be flexible on.

Not only that, if you feel you have a majority agreement on any issue in your electorate, and can demonstrate it (perhaps with a petition for example), it doesn't matter who your elected representative is, they have to take notice, or risk not being elected again.

Politics is not a team sport. You don't have to passively sit behind your keyboard whinging about how bad the government is doing, or accusing them of not doing anything... or worse, assuming they must be corrupt because you disagree with everything they say or do because they're not who you voted for. They're not on your 'team'.

At community level you can actually get involved in influencing decisions. Whether that's simply writing to your local politician, or maybe forming an action group for a specific issue, and generally becoming a community leader yourself. Who knows, you may even decide to become a politician as well. It's one job you don't actually need any specific qualification for, other than a desire to serve people.

Whatever you do, maybe don't plan to storm any government buildings with an angry mob. Peaceful protest? Sure. That is well within your rights. Property damage and causing people to fear for their safety, not so much. It's not a good look, ever.

Just know that government is run for the people, by the people. You're the people. You can get involved at any time. You don't need to be smart... and if those clowns can do it, it should be a breeze for you!