Countable CEO: “How to Combat Tyrants at our Doorstep”

Bart Myers is the founder and CEO of Countable

Democracy is a messy business, often built on derision and argument, with the sometimes faint hope of ultimate compromise. But there is no way it works when people don’t participate. It can’t. In fact, the fewer people participate, the more power we cede to the self-serving, the corrupt and the tyrannical. And right now, tyrants are at our doorstep.

"Right now, tyrants are at our doorstep."

That’s why I started Countable: to restore people’s voice in their representative government. Give you a way to yell at your representatives, cajole your neighbors and needle your parents. That’s a good thing. 

What’s NOT a good thing is when people get complacent; when we only get involved or outraged after something outrageous happens. When we take our rights for granted. Then there’s a wake up call. In the last decade we’ve seen it happen on both the right and left. 

"Answer the call to action to become responsible leaders."

There’s a simple solution – it’s written into the Constitution and in our responsibilities as citizens. 

Get involved and stay involved. Know what’s happening. Answer the call to action to become responsible leaders. 

True, this can be work. It’s like eating your vegetables. But it’s critical — to all of us. And just like showing your kids that you like broccoli, we all need to model this behavior for our friends and communities.

Here’s how:

1. Know what’s happening (reading the Daily Countable is a great way to start)
2. Make your voice heard on pending bills and major issues
3. Listen to reasonable arguments that you disagree with
4. Become a leader — and join the community of leaders on Countable
5. Run for office — represent your community, colleagues and family

We don’t like kings, czars or emperors for a reason. We must remember the words of Benjamin Franklin on the last day of the Constitutional Convention that would shape our future, when he was asked:

“…What have we got — a republic or a monarchy?”

To which Ol’ Ben responded, 

“A Republic — if you can keep it.”

Can we keep it? The answer depends on you.

— Bart Myers is the founder and CEO of Countable