Submitted by San Juan County Republican Party

Why is it that if there is something important to be said we expect that we will have heard it? Part of this is the fact that we are all the center of our own universes. Infants have to grow out of the idea that things leaving their sight don’t disappear. In a larger sense, I think it has to do with the pervasiveness of advertising.

For all that, most of us hate advertising.

Or do we? It would cost an estimated $8/year to pay for a Facebook or Google account without advertising. I would happily pay that fee. Some others would. But many wouldn’t.

I meet so many people who complain that “I didn’t hear about it,” when it comes to our events. I meet long-time Republicans who complain they have no idea what a “PCO” is, or how the chairman of the party is elected. All valid questions. What’s interesting is the underlying notion that “somebody should have told me.” I’m sure the Democrats deal with the same problem.

I like to call people on this. I say, “We have a great newsletter that we send out every week and lots of these answers on our website…” Well, usually all such questions disappear instantly. Nobody wants another email. If we send mail they get thrown away. People hang up on phone calls (or yell). All parties struggle with this. Everyone hates advertising.

Right?

But if it’s important, somehow it will make its way to the top. I think that’s the mindset. When you’re deleting emails it’s hard to see the value difference between another political email and a Macy’s email. You expect that if it’s important, further effort will be made. But such pervasive advertising costs money – lots of it. Ergo the vast sums of money spent in politics.

I do believe that making information easily available is important. We have answered all these questions on our website under “About Republicans.” No doubt there are others that we should answer.

And I do think that many political emails have gotten awfully dry. They read like a PR department designed them. They are designed to say as little as possible in as many words as possible.

Politics, though, are what keeps us safe. This may not be obvious by what is termed as dysfunction in our nation. But this is not dysfunction. Dysfunction is widespread famine. War. Inadequate water. Endemic disease. Lack of paved roads. Low life expectancy. High unemployment. One party political systems. You know, “other” place problems. If you can’t see it, it must not be real, right? (see what I did there?) I have seen it, and it is there.

We have been a successful nation for so long we have forgotten what failure looks like. And if we are not cautious we may well squander the heritage that has been passed down to us.

Politics matter – a lot. It is a failure of imagination to believe otherwise. If you fear the influence of money, make it easier for your party to contact you. Listen. Imagine if “the base” was, well, everyone. Maybe the shouting would gradually seem unnecessary.

Butler can be contacted at sjcrpchair@gmail.com.