I am sure each reader has heard the story of Rip Van Winkle. He goes to the hills to hunt squirrels with his rifle and dog. In the hills Rip comes across a band of funny-looking men with a keg of liquor. He drinks from the keg and falls asleep.

Upon awaking the men are gone and so is his dog. Rip makes his way to his favorite inn which also has changed. In lieu of the picture of King George III there hangs a picture of George Washington.     

Rip Van Winkle has slept through one of the greatest events of his time – the War for Independence. How many of us like Rip miss some of the great events of our time because we have little or no P. A. – Political Awareness?

Political awareness is the extent to which an individual understands politics and has the ability to analyze current political events through an informed lens. In a representative democracy it is important that one has an informed electorate.

When I served in the Missouri House of Representatives, I sent out a survey early in the session to learn where my constituents stood on important issues that would be voted upon during the legislative session. A government of the people will only function if the people are informed and are in contact with their elected representatives.

There are several ways to increase your P. A.: Reading the newspaper and listening to talk radio are a couple of ways to remain current with political events happening locally, statewide and nationally.

Attend forums conducted by your representatives and meetings of your local school board. Join your local parent-teacher group or a political organization.

This month we celebrated Independence Day. How fortunate we are that there were men with the P. A. to be aware of events occurring that required drastic action on their part. They gave us a government of and by the people. If it is to continue. we must be informed. If you have a low P. A. now is the time to increase your awareness of current events and what affect they will have. You will decide the future.