Posted by
Playful Walrus on Tuesday, September 16, 2008 6:36:28 PM
It can be very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we have little control over the direction of our nation. Incumbents frequently get re-elected no matter how much we dislike their actions. Activist judges pretend they are legislators and look to other countries in deciding cases, often catering to the feelings of a few over the rights of everyone else. Public schools work against our values, and too much of the media ignores, mocks, or tries to subvert our values. Government gets bigger and more intrusive, to the point where it tells restaurants what kinds of perfectly edible foods they can’t offer, what kind of light bulbs we have to use, and they float trial balloons to see if we’ll allow the government to control the thermostats in our homes.
But the truth is – we still have the power.
We do still have the power.
We cast the votes.
We sit on the juries.
We file the lawsuits.
We are the consumers and the investors.
We change the channel or tune out entirely.
We donate to charities and campaigns and volunteer our time and our talents.
We fill the pews and give.
We join the military.
We join the civic groups.
We offer examples, advice, encouragement, and support to our family and friends.
We use the government services and facilities.
We raise the next generation.
Is there voter fraud? Sure. But our legitimate votes can overwhelm the fraud and make it negligible. Do districts get gerrymandered to keep incumbents in place? Yes. But with enough votes, we can replace a bad incumbent anyway. If you own stock, vote whenever you can as a shareholder. We elect the people who give judges lifetime appointments – and we can elect people who will only choose sensible judges. We can sit on the juries that convict and punish the guilty and protect the innocent or compensate the wronged.
It is up to us to persuade our fellow citizens.
Stand up for yourself and our values. Stand between evil and the innocent. Get informed. Get prepared. Get active and involved. Serve on juries. Register to vote and do it! Whenever possible, support media that doesn’t apply a Leftist bias. If you can write clearly, concisely, and persuasively, write letters to the editors and comments on articles, columns, and commentaries; write to your elected representatives; write to the businesses that undermine your values. Blog (use Townhall.com!) If you can research, too, then write books! If you can speak clearly, concisely, and persuasively, call in to the shows that allow it; call your elected representatives. Show up to rallies and demonstrations that support your causes.
Are you an artist? Make your point through your art.
Inform and motivate others - around the dinner table, in the breakroom, in the church courtyard after service.
Wean yourself from government dependency. Live within your means. Save, invest, and insure. Wherever possible, develop a network of supportive friends and family that can help you handle problems without government assistance. Keep your kids out of public school, or if you have to keep them there, volunteer or work for the school or district. Get involved in the PTA. Attend the district meetings and speak up. Don’t support private schools (colleges, universities) that undermine America.
Buy products and services from businesses that support your values, instead of from ones that mock them.
We do still have the power. If we fail to make our case, if we fail to stand up for ourselves, if we don’t get involved – then we’ll get the lousy culture and we'll deserve it.