Alright, queen, let’s break it down—politicians are not our rulers. They work for us. Somewhere along the way, we forgot that and started treating them like VIPs instead of what they actually are: middle managers of democracy. It’s time to flip the script and put the power back where it belongs—with the people.

1. Representative Democracy = They Work for Us

Voting isn’t about picking a hero—it’s about hiring the right person for the job. And if they don’t do the job? We fire them. (Aka, vote them out.) Government is supposed to serve us, not the other way around. If you wouldn’t let your barista ignore your order, why let an elected official ignore your needs?

What to do:

2. Stop Worshipping Politicians (Seriously, Stop)

Look, I love a good campaign speech as much as the next girl, but politicians are not celebrities. They’re public servants. We need to stop treating them like heroes and start treating them like employees.

Action items:

  • Call them. Yes, actually call them. Here’s how

  • Demand town halls & public accountability

  • Don’t just vote in presidential elections—local elections matter way more

3. The People Have Always Led the Way

Newsflash: politicians don’t create change; they react to it. The Civil Rights Movement, LGBTQ+ rights, women’s suffrage—none of these happened because a politician had an epiphany. They happened because people refused to back down.

Join a movement:

4. Hold Elected Officials Accountable—No Free Passes

Winning an election isn’t a free ride. If politicians aren’t delivering, we hold them accountable. And if they’re not listening? We show them the door.

Tools to track & hold them accountable:

  • OpenSecrets (Follow the money—who’s really funding them?)

  • Ballot Ready (What’s on your ballot before you vote?)

  • Countable (Track what your reps are actually voting for)

Bottom Line? The Power Has Always Been Yours

Stop waiting. Stop hoping. Stop feeling helpless. The real leaders are in the community—organizing, spending intentionally, voting with strategy, and making noise. The politicians? They follow us.

So next time someone whines that the system is broken and there’s nothing we can do? Laugh. Then hand them this list.

Because, babe, we’re not waiting for change. We ARE the change.

March 17, 2025 — Amanda Dougherty
Tags: politics

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