Lauren Smith: Joel, tell us about your book. 

Joel Blackwell: I used to be a newspaper editor at the Charlotte Observer and Miami Herald. I know that the coverage of politics is negative and inadequate. You don't see the stories about ordinary people making a difference or politicians with integrity trying to make things work (the vast majority). So I set out to correct people's impressions by interviewing volunteer advocates, politicians, their staff and lobbyists -- people actively making the system work. It is a reporter's approach. You can see some of the interviews in print and video on my web site. 

Keep on Voting After the Election

Joel Blackwell: No one took anyone's power away. People drop out through nonparticipation. All they do is whine. The people who feel they can't make a difference are usually people who haven't talked, written or phoned a politician. Ask all your friends if they have written or phoned a politician. Most have bought the media presentation that all is hopeless. Most people who get engaged and stay with it will tell you they have made a difference, that politicians want to hear from them, that politicians do respond and care. After all, they want to get elected or re-elected. 

Lauren Smith: What are some things people can do to exercise their political power?

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