As a  politician I might think like this:
It is important that people know about the channels they can use to influence decisions. At the same time is it important for me as a politician to know what concerns people have. It is of importance our decisions are accepted by different groups, and it is important that we have contact with people so that we can bring on projects people are interested in.

It is also of importance that we do what our programme says, even if it might harm someone sometimes. We were elected on this programme! It is important that people understand that we have to choose. We can’t say yes to everything that would be nice.

People should make more use of the meeting-places we create, such as the café just before the local council meetings. They often come to talk to each other, not to us. My final point is: This is really about the dialogue between us politicians and the citizens/interest groups - how we can make it function. I think I have pointed out some important aspects of that.

As an employee in a local administration I might think like this:
It is important that the signals from the politicians are clear. At the same time it is important that they listen to us in the administration.
They must answer us, and not just bypass plans we have made to develop local communities step by step. It is important to our democracy that processes are open and comprehensible. It is important that the politicians know the cases and the issues, get to know the regulations and the realities we face, and help us solve problems. The politicians must be recognizable as such and faithful to the programmes on which they were elected, but should also be willing to learn from the documents we prepare for them. When we arrange events at which politicians and citizens can meet, it is important that the politicians speak clearly so people can understand them. We who are in daily contact with citizens know a lot about their needs, but the politicians don’t always know about the real situation. Finally I want to say this: it is of great importance that politicians get educated, so that they can understand the cases they meet in their work. Both between the politicians and us, and between us and the citizens/clients, respect and good dialogue is important. I think I have pointed out some reasons why.[/

As an activist I might think like this:
It is important that politicians have a face, so that I can reach them by e-mail, letters, and telephone or meet them personally. It is important that they understand people’s concerns. It is of importance to our democracy that politicians don’t force through decisions we citizens don’t want. It is important that politicians keep in touch with real life, meet ordinary people and help us solve problems. Politicians must keep their promises, but also listen to us who have ground contact. It is important politicians understand that in real life there is no place for big words, action is what matters. Politicians must be as close as possible to real life, to understand what our situation is. They must come to us, and listen! They must not think they always know best!

Finally I want to say this: it is first and foremost about the dialogue between us volunteers/activists and the politicians - how we shall make it function. I think I have pointed out some important aspects of that.