Today we celebrate the declaration of independence by our nation’s founders. In honor of that profound act, I suggest that we make 2012 a year to declare anew our independence from political factions and failures. After all, to quote that great document,
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…”
Independence comes with responsibility. The responsibility to act and react in ways that contribute not only to our own selfish well-being but also to the greater community as a whole. We are both independent and interdependent at once, relying on ourselves for the day to day functionality of our lives but on each other for the foundational rules and expectations that make such lives possible.
And yet, we continue to debate the upcoming presidential election as if that one role in our very diverse government has the power or ability to effect radical changes on this foundation of ours, to either fix what we perceive to be flaws or innovate next-generation progress.
To this, I say – STEP UP!
WE are the solution, WE THE PEOPLE. No president, no matter how perfect or flawed, is going to be able to take this responsibility from our shoulders, nor should (s)he. WE own this problem, WE need to own the solution.
When was the last time you engaged in healthy political debate about a LOCAL issue? Do you realize that the bedrock of our country is the presumption that all government that can be handled on a local level SHOULD BE? That means that you and I, and our neighbors, are the ONLY ONES RESPONSIBLE for the state of our local government. Those congressional posters that you see when you drive down the street, for people you’ve never met, those people are ones that YOU ARE ALLOWING to be YOUR VOICE in this. Do you know what they stand for? Do you know what they will do FOR YOU?
When was the last time you contacted one of your local representatives to let them know where you stand on a bill they were going to vote on FOR YOU? Do you realize that WE can speak at hearings in congress, and give voice to our concerns and preferences directly? If we don’t like what OUR elected officials are doing, WE can change it by simply SHOWING UP.
Consider the POWER WE HAVE – and let’s USE IT FOR GOOD. Channel that frustration to action, not complaint. Nothing will change unless WE CHANGE.
Visit www.senate.gov to see what is currently in debate (http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/b_three_sections_with_teasers/active_leg_page.htm) and STEP UP!
Like many of you, I am passionately patriotic – I LOVE our country and am extremely grateful to the great men and women who have helped it grow into a privilege to be born here, by defending these freedoms in both war and peace.
What better time than this day of patriotic celebration to take stock and renew our commitment to being a good citizen and shouldering the responsibilities that these privileges bring? Let’s take back our country from the extremists that are the ones speaking right now – it’s time for the sane majority to rule.
Overly Honest 