We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. —The Declaration of Independence Each election year, we urge everyone to take their civic duty seriously by registering to vote and taking time to cast an informed ballot at the polls. But there are many ways beyond voting we can use to stay involved in the process of governing. Citizen activism can take on many forms, and the more engaged we become, the more responsive public officials will be to our needs.