The government shutdown and debt ceiling debacle has distracted me from my usual partisan rancor and political rhetoric (such as it is). What now has me flummoxed are the news polls wherein ordinary citizens express that they are frustrated with "everyone in Congress" and that most, if not all, of its members should be 'fired'. When asked to further explain their views about the shutdown, these same citizens didn't have a clue and ended up parroting what they heard on TV.

These "views" represent what’s wrong with the political situation in Washington. Statistically, a significant percentage of those polled (perhaps even a majority) never voted. The fact that at least 50% of registered voters regularly fail to vote is disgraceful given that voting is the bare minimum of our civic responsibility. How can we hold our state and federal governments accountable if we fail to engage the political process?

This is truly a bipartisan, liberal and conservative issue. We all need to step away from MSNBC, Fox News, talk radio, etc., and start making informed decisions based upon the facts. Hyperbole and manufactured talking points won't cut it. Simply put, special interests, extremist organizations and big money will fill the vacuum left by our failure to participate in the electoral process.

And the lack of accountability and political apathy has real consequences. Gerrymandering, voter suppression laws and the rolling back of our civil rights quietly occurred with little or no opposition. Inaction is interpreted as acquiescence.

Ultimately, we cannot abdicate our civic duty, leave our future to the professional political class and expect sensible outcomes (i.e., the preservation of the middle class). But it takes work - and a reaffirmation of our identity as citizens of a great democracy.

I'm not trying to advance a liberal, progressive agenda here. I'm just saying that, in the end, we can only blame ourselves for the dysfunction of our political institutions.