Howard Dean always had a great answer. . .
. . .when interviewers asked how he would get this or that done. He would say something like "people are engaging in powerful ways. It will ultimately be their votes and their pressure on their representatives that make it happen" and follow it up with the numbers of netroots activists and examples of "people-powered" reforms.
Maybe people are looking for a savior who promises do it all for them, but personally, I find the message that it's going to take voting in representatives that support an agenda AND citizen engagement to keep their feet to the flames between elections, much more powerful.
You can't hate a government when you are reminded that it's in your power -- and if you want meaningful change, it's your responsibility as a citizen -- to make your voice heard through your votes and through citizen action between elections.
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