Let’s talk about how much influence we, as American citizens, really have on what goes on in Washington.

According to reports by Martin Gilens of Princeton University and Benjamin Page of Northwestern University, they found that the average American ”“ that’s you and me, folks ”“ have virtually no influence in shaping federal policy as compared to the “economic elites.” The elites included Fortune’s top 25 corporations as well as the 10 industries not on that list but that spent the most money on federal lobbying.

What does this all say about politics in America? How about when you contact your senator or representative in Congress on an issue that’s important to you, they tend to refer to how these power corporations and industries feel before they take a stand on your concerns. That’s why when you get back a letter back, they rarely answer your concern and dance all around it or tell you what else they have been doing that’s good for you. It’s the typical fluff communication to make you feel, well, at least they heard me and answered me. No, they didn’t hear you.

The reports further showed that when the majority of citizens’ interests disagree with these companies and/or organized industries, the people have zero influence. This is true when even large majorities of citizens favor certain policy changes. The power of the corporate almighty dollar easily trumps the power of the people. However, this is not to say that these corporations don’t always align their interests with the people’s ”“ because sometimes they do overlap, often accidentally. Unfortunately, don’t get the idea that you had something to do with getting what you wanted from Congress, because you didn’t.

So what can we do? Don’t give your senator or representative time enough in Congress to be influenced by getting entrenched term after term. Come on people, no one in Congress should be there for more than two terms ”“ ever. Let’s take back what we have given away by not paying attention and believing that we are either Democrats, Republicans or independents. Can we forget the labels and clean house and send the person we think is best for the job, regardless of party? November is coming. Let’s take a chance and try something new.

Carmine Castaldo, Bethel