Verizon Wireless announced a new $2 charge for bill payers making payment on line or by phone on Thursday and cancelled the fee the very next day when 100,000 customers complained.

Bank of America's idea of charging a $5 a month fee on debit card users went "bye-bye" after 300,000 customers cried "foul."

Likewise JP Morgan, Chase and Wells Fargo dropped their intention to charge similar fees regionally after their customers made it known what they could do with the fee!

Netflix killed its plan to split their DVD-by-mail service from the rest of their business when customers howled, although they hung in with higher fees.

Hewlett Packard retreated like a scalded cat after announcing its plan to exit the PC business because, You guessed it, the public was furious. 

A number of cancelled television shows somehow remain on the networks' schedules after a hue and cry by viewers.

Or, as with the case of America's Most Wanted, get picked up by another network.

Yet, when Washington raises the debt limit (or requests one), throws out tax deductions, raises reporting requirements for consumer lenders (which stifles their ability to lend) or makes laws for us that it doesn't have to abide by itself, no one raises their voice.

Is a $2 charge more important than a higher tax bill or reduced paycheck?

Where's our outrage on the important life-changing matters?

This new year I resolve to stop fighting the small stuff and making my voice heard in Washington.

Isn't it time for you, too, to stop fighting piddling items and let your representatives know that their "customers" are mad as hell and not going to take it anymore?

If 300,000 customers made such a difference for BOA, imagine what a couple of million voter/customers can accomplish in 2012.

Let's REALLY make it a Happy New Year this year!