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Show ' 'f Hj: ,.r. Vl BIG GOVERNMENT AND YOU to accept appointmenti in government. govern-ment. 7. Stand equarely bock of the effort of good people when they take government responsibility. Don't neglect to let them know how much you appreciate it when they stand solidly for what is good and riht. 8. Be objective and let reason rather than emotion guide you. Make an effort to become informed inform-ed as to the real meaning of the issues and the qualifications of candidates. Avoid being influenced by political slogans, television appearances ap-pearances of candidates, emotional demonstration, and appeals to prejudice. pre-judice. 9. Be vigilant in supplying information in-formation and guidance to those serving in government. What are the facts) What . do responsible fieople wont) Should specific legrs-ation legrs-ation be supported or defeated) What regulations or other actions are desirable and which' are unsound) un-sound) Postage is cheap. Letters can and should be short. Even telephone calls or telegrams are cheap compared com-pared with tha damage which bad legislation or administrative actions can do to your business and to the nation. Certainly such are cheap compared com-pared with the ever mounting tax load and the unnecessary expenditures expen-ditures being made by our government. govern-ment. Your letters and calls make an impression. Many times just a few letters or calls cause senators, congressmen, con-gressmen, or other officials to change their attitude or consider more carefully proposala , before them. 10. See that able and objective objec-tive representatives of business, W are all in government. We cannot escape it in a republic "of the people, by the people, and for the people." W are all in government either eith-er as a positive, a passive, or a negative force. Ours is the choice. Those who keep informed and who actively work in the interest of good legislation and administrative administra-tive actions are a positive force in tha government of our country. Those who don't keep alert and who fail to actively support sound actions and oppose unsound legislation le-gislation and decisions are in government too. They have abdicated abdi-cated to those who are aggressive in influencing the course that our government takes. The problem confronting people like you is how to effectively relate re-late yourselves to your big govern- eager to govern you in a way that will serve their special interests. You dare not abdicate to them. 3. Work hard to nominate and elect people of staunch character and unquestioned integrity. Be especially es-pecially concerned to help nominate nomin-ate able and objective candidates. It is the only way to insure that good people will be selected. 4. Insist that only able and qualified people of character be appointed or employed in government. govern-ment. Help your officials to know who of the applicants are "political hacks" or weak and lacking in experience ex-perience of other needed qualifications. qualifi-cations. Tha character of government will not be stronger than the standards stand-ards and integrity of tha officials. You would be shocked to know HAYDEN'S PEAK Mirror Laka Basin in Utah's high Uinta Mountain ia accessible by a paved loop road from Kama, Utah, to Evans-ton, Evans-ton, Wyoming, making magnificent forest wilderness available to everyone. I professions and organization are kept in Washington. They can assist as-sist those serving in Congress and in the executive branch. I I. Be alert to the pressure activities of groups seeking to force through unsound legislation and un necessary expenditures. Be willing to join in building up the counter pressures necessary to enable both elected and appointed officials to stand up against activities that are not in the public interest. 12. Develop your own political politi-cal philosophy and ideas about government. Study and discuss gov ernmental affairs and procedures. Have a philosophy then watch the course of government and new pro- ment in a way to help: Assure good government, and to Carry your full share of such responsibility. The following guide for action ia the cumulative suggestions and recommendations of a broad cross section of those who have served in government local, state and Federal. A GUIDE FOR CITIZEN ACTION 1. Be active in politics. Join a political party, attend its meetings, meet-ings, and contribute time and money mo-ney to its activities. 2. Be vigilant and active in helping guide your government. You dare - not do otherwise. There are plenty of people ready and how often officials get recommendations recommen-dations and pressures from respected respect-ed people to name unqualified and even dishonest individuals to help run your government. The United States is a great and powerful nation because dedicated Christian men and women have given it leadership. It can continue great and be built stronger by seeing see-ing that only people of high principle prin-ciple and character are elected and appointed to office. 5. Be willing to serve in government. gov-ernment. Help make it possible for your employees and associates to serve. 6. Encourage the right kind of people to stand for election or posals and express yourself at every ev-ery opportunity. a a Most of these suggestions are non-political and the kind of activities ac-tivities in government "By the people" peo-ple" in which all citizens should be constantly engaged. ' Furthermore, we here in this country, as President Theodore Roosevelt said more than a half century ago, "Hold in our hands the hope of the world, the fate of the coming years and shame and disgrace will be ours if in our eyes, the light of high resolve is dimmed, if we fail in the dust the golden hopes of men." Utah State Farm Bureau News |
