By Scott McCoy
My father taught me many lessons that helped carve the path of my life.
He raised me to have faith in God.
He taught me to always use the right tool for a job – and that my body is rarely the right tool.
He taught me to always keep an open mind – but not so open that my brains fall out.
And, my father taught me, at an early age, to participate in politics – because it will impact my life in almost every aspect.
Of course, as a kid, I really didn’t care about politics. I didn’t care, because I didn’t understand politics.
I also figured it doesn’t matter to me, because I didn’t want to grow up to become a politician.
But as I got older, I saw exactly what my dad meant. And he was right!
I actually have this same conversation with other adults all the time.
Someone will say they don’t care who is president – because it doesn’t affect them or the things they care about.
Or someone will tell me how they – as just one person – can’t make a difference.
The truth is, politics impacts all of our lives – and in almost everything we do.
Are you going out to eat today? The restaurant is regulated by the government for food safety. The food is inspected by the government.
And even the price you pay is impacted — as several governmental entities tack-on sales tax and entertainment fees to your bill.
Your vehicle is licensed by the government, and you are regulated by the government on how and where you can drive your vehicle.
How about your child’s education? Yep, the local school boards are also public bodies of government, and politics.
Politics is a massive part of our lives. Always has been, and always will be.
But by not participating, or especially by not paying attention, you are allowing others to impact your life, and even your freedom.
You don’t have to be an elected official to participate in the political process. You simply have to be engaged. Pay attention, educate yourself on the issues, and have respectful discussions with others.
Politics shouldn’t be a taboo topic. It’s too important to ignore – because what comes from politics is going to impact you.
By voicing your opinion, you just might influence the minds of others.
And if you keep an open mind – you just might learn something from the opinions of others — and change your own mind.
Scott McCoy is the former mayor of Pontiac, Illinois. He fought FEMA in Pontiac’s worst natural disaster in recorded history – reversing FEMA’s denial for federal help for the historic flood that greatly impacted Pontiac and Watseka. In 2008 and 2009, Scott successfully took on then-Governor Rod Blagojevich, who attempted to shut down the Pontiac Correctional Center. He also worked to build Pontiac, Illinois into one of the top tourism communities in Illinois.
Scott has been a small business owner for the past 20 years. His company develops software technology and video marketing media.
In 2015, Scott and his family moved to Normal, where his wife, Jennifer, is completing her degree in the ISU Principal Preparation Program.
In December, 2015, Scott joined the WJBC Forums.
The opinions expressed within WJBC’s Forum are solely those of the Forum’s author, and are not necessarily those of WJBC or Cumulus Media, Inc.
