CMS employee honored with Liberty Bell Award for his continued activism

By Sheila Pursglove Legal News A whopping 22 percent of U.S. residents never take part in political campaigns, community activities or regular voting; 21 percent almost always vote, but nothing more. About 4 percent contact government officials about problems directly impacting them, but otherwise avoid most public issues. About 20 percent are active only in non-partisan activities - voluntary groups, school issues, charitable campaigns; while approximately 15 percent take part in political campaigns but avoid non-partisan community activities. Then there are the "complete activists" - a measly 11 percent who rarely miss an election, are active in non-partisan community affairs, campaign door to door, and participate with gusto in the political process. Eleven percent. Those stats make Mike Jones shudder. He spends a lot of time involved in politics, and encouraging others to do the same. Jones was honored May 5 as the Liberty Bell Award winner at the annual Law Day breakfast at the Country Club of Jackson, organized by NALS, the association for legal professionals; the Jackson County Bar Association; and Comerica Bank. The award recognizes non-lawyers who give time and energy to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of freedom under the law. Jones does that - and then some. The Brooklyn resident is vice president of the legislative committee for the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and chairs the Candidates Forum and Party Politics subcommittees. He launched a one-day program, "Participating in Politics," to educate people about the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, Political Action Committees, political campaigns, the drafting of Bills, and how citizens can get involved in political processes. The program outlines federal and state levels before drilling it down to the local political scene in the City of Jackson and Jackson County, local townships, and local boards and committees. Jones, who works in organizational development at Consumers Energy in Jackson, has long been involved in politics, and worked precincts on issues dating back to the early '80s. There are a lot of myths about voting, he says. One is that voting is difficult. Hardly. "Many states have early voting and absentee voting available to all citizens," he says. And that persistent myth that senior citizens don't vote? Knock that one on the head, junior. According to Jones, in 1998, six times as many senior citizens voted as young people. Seniors, who make up 16 percent of the U.S. population, make up 33 percent of the vote. In contrast, young people make up 14 percent of the population and only 5 percent of the vote. Time for a radical change, Jones says. People can get involved in many ways: by applying for an appointment to a state advisory board, County Commission board or city board; by running for a seat on a township or school board; by attending county and city commission meetings or township meetings; sending letters and emails to legislators, and more. He also has tips on how to be heard by politicians. Before making contact, read all available background material, and know when and where to contact a legislator - Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays are best, he advises. "Share any expertise you may have - that's what lobbyists do," he says. "And be constructive - even if you admit the problem does exist. "Aligning with others is good, but you don't need a crowd. When you introduce yourself, make it clear who you are and what, if any, organization you represent. Don't overkill your position." Stay calm if legislators disagree with your position, and let them state their position, he says. And don't demand a commitment. Think your participation isn't worth a hill of beans? That one person can't possibly make a difference? Think again. One vote per precinct would have caused Richard Nixon to lose the 1968 presidential election. Who does Jones admire most amongst the nation's political leaders? "Without a doubt James Polk - he and I have a lot in common," Jones says. "Polk devoted a lot of time to public speaking as I do. He shunned the limelight and didn't even want to be President. He ran for Vice President and wasn't elected until the ninth ballot at the Democratic Convention. "But most important, he said he would do four things - create an independent treasury, reduce tariffs, expand the union to Oregon and annex Texas from Mexico. You know he did all four and then chose not to run for re-election. "To me that's a lesson in political integrity and something our political leaders may want to think about today." Published: Thu, May 27, 2010

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