Democracy Is An Action Verb: Each of Us Must Participate

While recently walking the halls of the United States Senate offices with my favorite Hill buddy Kristy Kibler of Lupus Colorado, she asked “do you ever stop and think wow, JFK walked right here?” I stopped and replied, “No, if I think of all of that, then this all feels too heavy.” (Right before I stopped and admired the plaque outside of Harry Truman’s former senate office.) I’ve been coming to the District of Columbia for six years, but it wasn’t until a few years back with a significant amount of guidance from Kristy, that I had been in the capital offices, speaking with lawmakers, and their incredible staff.

It wasn’t until I was sitting on the tarmac of Ronald Regan international, I looked out the window to my right and I could see the top of the United States capital, and Kristy’s question came back to me and I realized the wonder … I did in fact feel both wowed and heavy.

Democracy encompasses more than just elections. It involves collective decision-making, setting national priorities, and envisioning a future for ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. It emphasizes ensuring that individuals have a voice in the policies that shape their daily lives.

For those passionate about public health, civic participation holds particular significance. Our community’s well-being is directly impacted by decisions made at various government levels, from city councils and state legislatures to Congress and the White House. These decisions encompass healthcare access, medication affordability, mental health services, disease prevention, public health infrastructure, and funding for community-based organizations, all of which have tangible, positive effects on real people.

To ensure that public health benefits everyone, we must acknowledge that democracy thrives when everyone actively participates.

Democracy Belongs to All of Us

It’s easy to think that one person’s involvement won’t make a difference. The political process can feel complicated, slow, and frustrating. Lawmakers may not respond immediately, and policies can take years to change, much less the lag in feeling the effects of those changes. Even well-supported proposals can face obstacles.

However, the challenges of creating change don’t make participation meaningless.

Democracy thrives on the collective efforts of individuals who choose to engage. One person shares a story, another provides research, someone else organizes neighbors, attends a hearing, or contacts a legislator. Together, these actions can raise awareness about issues, fuel public debate, and pave the way for progress.

Not everyone has the same amount of time, money, influence, or access to decision-makers. That’s why it’s crucial to expand opportunities for participation and ensure that public policy is not solely shaped by those with the most resources.

The goal isn’t for everyone to agree on every issue. A functioning democracy embraces disagreement, debate, and diverse perspectives. The aim is for people to participate in good faith, seek reliable information, and recognize that the decisions made through our democratic institutions impact everyone.

We can disagree about policy while still respecting each other’s right to participate. We can challenge our representatives while remaining committed to the democratic process. And we can work towards better public health outcomes without expecting everyone to approach every issue in the same way.

Our Future Depends on All of Us

As I sat on that tarmac, I realized that there’s both wonder and weight. I often don’t take the time to appreciate the wonder, but the heavy part is the responsibility to do a good job. It’s to present information that’s both true and compelling, ensuring that our elected officials understand the future of our communities’ health is in their hands.

Public health is a shared responsibility. It requires collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, community organizations, policymakers, and individuals. Together, we can address challenges and improve lives.

Democracy is the process that helps us determine the priorities, resources, and rules that guide much of this work. When people disengage, important perspectives go unheard. When people participate, they create more opportunities for public needs and community experiences to inform decisions.

We can’t expect lawmakers to understand every public health challenge without hearing from those who experience it. We can’t expect policies to reflect community needs if communities are excluded from the conversation. And we can’t expect democracy to remain responsive if we treat civic engagement as someone else’s responsibility.

Every eligible American should have the opportunity to exercise their right to vote, and every American should have opportunities to meaningfully participate in public life beyond elections. Whether we’re voting, contacting a legislator, attending a public hearing, organizing our neighbors, or sharing our experiences, we all have a role to play.

As we approach this year’s election, I encourage you to participate with your informed vote. But I implore you to not stop there. Make civic engagement a year-round habit.

Make civic engagement a year-round habit.