Making a Difference

On this Fourth of July weekend, what better way to honor the brave act of independence than by celebrating a story of our self-government.

A few years ago, my parents retired, moved form their home in suburban Philadelphia and into a retirement community near Dover, Delaware. The set-up I thought was a little strange. In this retirement community, the residents owned their homes, but leased the land from the retirement community.

My parents certainly enjoyed meeting their neighbors, and taking advantage of the social life that the community gave them. But, inevitably, some issues started to come up. They had issues with the township's property laws. They had issues with the local police, who seemed to lie in wait for anyone who wen one mile over the almost intolerable 25 mile per hour speed limit, especially if you had out of state license plates. They had issues with the management of the community. They had tax issues.

Many of the residents of this community had the same issues. They would gather to play poker at the club house and complain. They all seemed to complain about the same issues.

Well, being retired, and having time on their hands, they started to do something about their complaints. First, they took many of their complaints to the management. This was to no avail. Then, they went to the local government. The mayor pretended to listen to their complaints, particularly the local speed limit issue. That is, until it was discovered that the mayor was actually planning how to spend the additional revenue generated by the strict speeding enforcement.

So, the residents took matters into their own hands. One resident dared put his name into the hat, and started a campaign to run for mayor. Next thing you know, the residents organized around their friend. Then, against all odds, this man found himself mayor of the local township.

Not satisfied with simply having a say in local government, the residents are now organizing a candidate to run for state assembly. My mother, who her whole life avoided political talk, now finds herself invited to join high level strategy meetings for the state assembly candidate.

The moral of this story is that this is the land of free. Laws, at times, may seem oppressive and unjust. But, there is a solution. We are still a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Just as my parents' neighbors joined together and were able to make a difference in the politics of small town, Delaware, so too other retirees can organize and make sure that their voices are heard by their elected officials. By organizing, and participating in our wonderful democracy, laws can change.