From education to the economy and from technology to the War on Terror, President George W. Bush discussed serious topics in the pipeline for 2006 during his Jan. 31 State of the Union address. He called us, the American people, to devote our time to service and the sciences and to support the spread of democracy. The president even admitted that our nation is “addicted to oil,” and he revealed a plan to cut Middle East oil dependence 75 percent by 2025. Viewers may have noticed that Bush outlined several quixotic aims, but stopped short of describing his plan to enact them. Rarely, in fact, does a president indicate how he plans to achieve his proposed goals in the beginning. This is perfectly fine.A State of the Union address is an overview, a stump-speech, a report of policies brainstormed for the coming year. It is a podium for political vision and an appeal by the president for Congressional and public support. In short, it’s what the chief executive officer hopes will happen over the next year.Where, though, is the political action? Where is the drama? When does this vision become tangible? We must look to decisions made throughout the year, not those merely mentioned on one evening, to determine our political leaders’ priorities. These decisions will be reflected in budget allocations and the policy signed by our legislature. As we reconsider what we heard on Tuesday, we must ask, “How do we fit into this political picture?” The answer: We are citizens. We are the People. We are the democracy. Citizenship is more than the passive watching of presidential debates and the State of the Union address, just as religion is more than sporadic visits to a place of worship. Citizenship requires that we step away from the television. Citizenship is active. Ask yourself what you thought of Bush’s suggestions. Then, whether you watched the entire speech or changed the channel, whether you responded with triumphant affirmations or disgruntled complaints, do yourself a favor and act on your gut reactions. You could go along with a few of the president’s recommendations by supporting Advanced Placement Science classes and $30 million-a-day war expenditures, or by tacking a few solar panels to your roof. Or, the next time you sit down for lunch, you could do something taboo: You could talk about politics. Congratulate. Complain. Then take the next step: Contact your congressperson and speak your mind. That way, you really can change the world.