Our country was founded on the principle of “We the people,” where government is meant to rely on the consent of the governed.
I believe we’ve veered off course from this ideal, not because anyone party is right and the others are wrong, but because we have too often disengaged from the discourse that leads to the best solutions.
Government works best when it’s closest to the people because then the people are the government. But in order to keep government close to home, “we the people” have to be willing to participate. We need to give our input, share our opinions and ideas, and help the government govern better—and we must do so with kindness, respect, and civility.
James Madison warned against “factions,” or groups whose exclusive focus on a narrow set of issues undermines the interests of the community as a whole. This shortsighted approach undermines discussion, openness, collaboration, and ultimately progress. By nature, factions divide rather than unite us. Often they make us discouraged and cynical about government, which can lead to apathy. But we should not give up.
The only way to rid ourselves of this wasteful division is to get involved, speak up, and vote. We must elect individuals who are committed to representing the interests of all constituents rather than one specific group. I sometimes hear people say their vote doesn’t matter, but this is absolutely not true. Every voice—every vote—matters, whether it comes from the majority or the minority. The value of each voice and each vote means that elected representatives have a duty to listen to the concerns of each individual constituent, not just those who voted for them.
If we want a government that gets things done, we should vote for representatives who care about our country, our principles, the people, and the long-term goals we want to reach as a nation. Such representatives are willing to listen to and explore the viewpoints of all those who are governed.
As I considered running for the Utah State House of Representatives, I did so with the understanding that I cannot do this work alone. I want to bring out the diverse voices in our communities, to sit down together and discuss ideas for our future and solutions to our challenges. I want to hear from everyone, whether we agree at first or not.
I plan to create a community advisory board with business leaders, educators, healthcare professionals, stay-at-home parents, and others who will meet together regularly to explore answers to our challenges. Some answers will involve the government in its role to protect life and liberty, but often the best way forward will require leadership from dedicated businesses and individuals. I also plan to hold regular town hall meetings with members of the community so I can be accountable for my work and hear directly from citizens. I firmly believe that these efforts will help me be the representative that can take the people’s voice to Capitol Hill.
Jon Hawkins lives in Pleasant Grove and is running for the Utah Legislature, District 57. Learn more about him at: http://www.electjonhawkins.com/
