Recall a positive note to return power to people

Spectrum, by Dori McDannold

Unlike my years past, today I do not often chose to get involved in political battles or political races. I feel and have seen that political races at all levels of government are frequently mean, nasty and focus on the negative. I see that politics these days are too often run by the influence of money and power, large corporations, at all levels, on the grand scale of things, and in small insidious ways that most couldn't even imagine. I see that the average citizen advocate has a hard time keeping pace with the thousands and millions of dollars of clout that corporations put forth to buy them what they want -- advertising, images, special deals, tax breaks, legislators. Case in point: Senator Scott Ogan and Evergreen Resources -- their relationship and their actions.

For the average citizen the result of power, money and negativity in the political arena is anger, disgust, and/or eventually over the years, apathy, disempowerment and not voting. People feel as if they do not have a voice, and that they do not have the power to change things within the present system. Though I exercise my voting powers and am an active citizen, I at times feel this way too, and often chose to put my energy elsewhere. But this recent recall effort has caused me to think long and hard about where I put my energies and what it means to enact a recall.

At first blush, I did not support a recall effort of Scott Ogan. I like to think I try to put my energy toward positive change in the world. I like to put my energy toward things that empower people to do good, be more ethical, set a higher standard of values as to what it means to be a citizen in this world. We all benefit when we participate in what is good in this world, and encourage people of all ages that they can make a difference on the grand scale of things, and in the small ways that most may not even take the time to notice. At first I viewed the recall as not a good way to put my energy, but then realized that a recall fulfills all of the above statements. It is not negative. It is positive! And it could be done in a positive way.

The recall of Scott Ogan is not about negative slander, or stabbing back. It is about giving the power back to the citizens in the political process to create a higher ethical standard for our politicians. It is about citizens taking action, hence learning and setting an example that people can act in a way that puts the power back in the people's hand. When those whom are elected act in a way that negates this (in this case it was Scott Ogan who acted in a way that was negative, and took the power from the people and gave it to Evergreen), then I say, more power to the people who actively work to get it back.

To date, Scott Ogan and our other local legislative representatives have done nothing to truly re-instate the power of the people that was taken away with shallow gas bill House Bill 69. They have not set an example of responsible leadership. Perhaps all our local legislators should be recalled? As I said: more power to the people.

And to Scott Ogan's retort (Anchorage Daily News Jan. 19) "they're focused (recall backers) on where we've been …," I beg to differ. The people are now focused on where we are going! This is positive proactive people working to make a difference, to bring power back to the people. How can Scott Ogan negate that?

I hope people will support the recall petition, if only so that we can learn, as citizens, that we have the power to create change. In a positive proactive way! And we will! As Gandhi said, "We must be the change we wish to see in the world." Let's act now, working and looking forward toward a positive future.

Dori McDannold is a Palmer

resident.