For those of us outside the beltway, there is a perception that many bills get proposed, but very few get any movement. Even what we believe are the best proposals, never make it out of a committee. Unfortunately this perception is correct. Given the number of bills proposed in the Senate and the House, it is impossible for all the bills to even make it out of committee. What gets out of any committee (usually the respective Judiciary committees, it seems), does so because of widespread interest in the bill.

It is our job, as the general public, to make our interest in bills known. Our senators and representatives are elected to represent us. We should be communicating with them in large numbers to let them know what bills we believe in and what bills we are against. We can not complain much about them not doing their job, if we do not do ours.

So, the bottom line is to get out there. Get educated. Communicate with your elected officials, at all levels. Tell them what legislation you are for and what you are against.  Get your likeminded friends and neighbors to call, email and write letters. Take an active part in the national debate. Take responsibility.