10/14/2009
What Can I Do?
I have been pleased and encouraged by the increased communication from and with so many here in our community over the past several months. It is obvious that events on a national level and right here in our own state and area have energized interest in and discussion of government and our inspired founding documents and I am thrilled.
Nearly every email, conversation, and letter contains the question, "What can I do?" We all recognize things are not as they should be and we want to make a difference, but it can be difficult to know where to start and what to do. Let me offer a few suggestions:
- Read the federal and state constitutions and the Declaration of Independence
- Read books which inspired our Founding Fathers with the fire and justification to act and the certainty they could succeed. Such authors include John Locke, Adam Smith, and Thomas Paine.
- Understand the difference between a republic and a democracy. The United States of America is a republic, not a democracy. See http://www.wimp.com/thegovernment/. [Wendi: I just checked this link and it seems to be broken.]
- In a republic, we are ruled by the voice of the people through elected representatives. Do your elected officials represent your voice? If so, help them share their message. If not, find someone who represents your voice and help them get elected or run for office yourself.
- Attend mass meetings. Serve as a delegate or support a good, principled candidate.
- Participate in town hall meetings. They are usually very poorly attended.
- Every city in our area has municipal elections in November. Meet the candidates. Attend open houses. Read their literature. Vote based on how well their principles align with your understanding of our founding documents.
- Communicate with your local, county, state, and national leaders on issues that are important to you. It may surprise you how loudly your voice is heard.
- Realize that local issues are as important as state and national issues. This summer, a $160 million school district bond passed with only about 10% of registered voters participating. Whether or not you supported the bond, it is unfortunate and certainly displays a great deal of apathy on the part of the electorate that 10% decided for everyone.
Edmund Burke, an 18th century British parliamentarian, said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing". Certainly, this applies equally to good women. Let us not be content to do nothing. Rather, let us boldly move forward and do all that is in our power.
