Complaining about the government is our national blood sport. Decades of conditioning by cable “news” networks, where Jerry Springer style squabbling has replaced intelligent discourse, has turned millions of people from active citizens into passive spectators. But everyone loves a circus, so TV ratings go up, and advertising dollars pour in. It’s really all about the money.

Meanwhile, a very important truth has gone missing for a lot of folks, and it is this: YOU ARE THE GOVERNMENT. You and I and every native born and naturalized citizen living in this great land. It’s not the government, it is our government. But while we’ve been busy watching clowns fighting on TV, our government has fallen into a state of decay (latest approval rating for Congress is 12 percent). Most people don’t bother to vote. A lot of people don’t know anything about the people on the ballot. Or how things are supposed to work. Or where to find reliable information.

Our founders established a “representative democracy”, also known as a “republic” — political science terms that have nothing to do with the political parties calling themselves the Democrats and Republicans. It works like this: WE are the employers and, through the process of voting, we hire representatives to do our bidding in the halls of power where “the work of the people” is done. That’s right, they are our employees, not our American Idols. They are supposed to work for us. We need to pay closer attention to the people we are hiring, because often they clearly lack the skills needed for the job.

When we are disengaged from our civic duties and don’t vote for what we need, someone else decides for us and we are at their mercy.

So, please, if you haven’t been engaged in the political life of our community and our country, know that that is how important laws and policies that affect all of us get made. Get active, regardless of where you see yourself on the political spectrum. Good government depends on people from all sides having a sane dialogue, giving a little on each end, and coming to an agreement where everybody gets something they can work with. Turn off the TV. Read various sources. Find out what’s going on. Brush up on your manners. Talk to your neighbors and co-workers about their concerns. Know the names of those representing you at the local, county, state, and national level, and give them feedback about what they are doing right and and what they need to do better.

People working together are more powerful than individuals trying to move mountains alone, so find a civic or political organization that aligns with your values, and join forces with them. Many hands make light work. Find good people and help them get elected. Or run for office yourself.

Remember, you are the government. Your voice and your vote count the same as everyone else’s, but only if you use them. Don’t leave your power on the table and don’t let anyone take it away from you.

Susan Meara lives in Jamestown.