Part of the issue is that as citizens, we need to express our viewpoint - whether or not we agree with one another - to our elected officials and in person and in writing or both. When we stay silent our viewpoint is not heard and the officials often vote with those who vocalize. I was amazed the first time I went to Washington DC and to Sacramento with a business group to meet with elected officials. When I was last in Sacramento, the illegal aliens were lobbying with the elected officials. They were sponsored by the AFL-CIO. It's very easy to email Senators and Congress and be heard.