With the local elections now over, and a typically low turnout by the electorate, everyone can get back to criticizing political leaders and the process. It is much easier to sit on the sidelines than to actually participate in the game.

Reflecting on the election caused me to remember how I first got active in politics. It happened when I was a teenager and was recruited to hang posters on street poles for a congressman in Eastern Queens. Henry J. Latham was quite a man, and he served up the best apple pie and vanilla ice cream that I could remember. After hanging the posters, we were invited back to his kitchen for the great dessert. That dessert probably hooked me on politics.

Politics really hit me when I was in Korea. The war seemed to be going nowhere and Eisenhower came to visit just after he was elected. He motivated me to join a political club on my return from military service.

Remaining active in the process, I hung more posters and handed out literature on a regular basis. It never seemed like work. To me, it was making a difference by showing up. I loved to focus on political debate and the issues. Come to think of it, things have not changed that much for me.

One of the most poignant moments for me in politics came during my 1988 Senate race against Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Attending a George Bush rally in Queens, dignitaries and candidates were jammed onto a platform before thousands of political supporters. After George Bush finished speaking, he turned to me and brought me forward to stand next to him. With a wink, he said, "Smile and wave ¬ we'll both be on national TV tonight." He was right, and I will never forget that gesture when there were so many others on the stage who could have been more helpful to him politically.

As I have had the opportunity to speak at various groups over the years, I am often asked questions about politics and people in government. Generally, the comments are in the negative. When that happens, I always ask for a show of hands as to how many in the audience have attended a political function in the last year or two? Without fail, only a few hands are raised.

The point of all this is that if you don't participate how can you be critical? Democracy only works when citizens get involved in the process without regard to what party you choose. A quote from Dwight D. Eisenhower is always on my desk. Here are his words, "Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen."

If everyone heeded these words, this country would be a finer place for all citizens.