Backseat Drivers

What is really going on here? Is there really a legitimate argument to Meiklejohn’s chapter, “The Rulers and the Ruled”? It is claimed that we Americans have the freedom of speech and govern ourselves, but do we really? I believe it is completely all on the individual to decide whether or not we want to take part in our governing. Yes, the option is and always remains out there for us to participate in the laws of our land, but to be honest the majority of American citizens do not take this option. Instead, we take a backseat to politics and rely on our elected officials to do what they promised to do in their election campaigns. The fact that we base our election opinions on “major” issues allows political officials to get away with smaller “personal” agendas. Thus, are we really being governed by ourselves or are we consigned into following the orders of a government that claims to represent the people? I feel that in order to truly govern ourselves we must actively voice our opinions to our elected officials as to get our opinions heard in legislation.