One of the issues Long Beach Taxpayers Association will be focusing on is voter APATHY in Long Beach. In order to increase more participation in local elections, we are looking for your ideas and suggestions on how to increase voter turnout.
For the lack of a single citywide media source (working on this one by the way), It might be benificial for all exisiting media outlets, both traditional and internet, to collectively place a single (brief) statement on their front pages (in a rectangular outlined box) to this affect: "Know your City. Be a part of it and VOTE!"
I think the media could do a lot more in addressing voter apathy. There are times I get frustrated with those who don't vote. Information is the best weapon we have to fight apathy and to go up against the political empire that Long Beach has become. People no longer feel their vote counts, but until they learn to speak out; they will let frustration override their obligation to vote.
Not only does the media need to focus on important issues and speak up about them; people also need to feel an obligation to speak up as well.
The powerful and well connected in Long Beach are too scared to jeopardize their standing in the community. They may vote, but they are poor examples to those less informed by not standing up for what is right and voicing their opinions.