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Simple, Not Easy 

Mark A. Goldman                                                                    Dated: 3/27/06
                                                                                              

 

I think many self proclaimed patriots will actually end up voting for spineless incumbents rather than for lesser known candidates who, unlike the incumbents, would actually use their offices to protect and defend the Constitution if they had the chance.

To get out of the mess we're in, ordinary citizens will have to have as much character, vision, and courage as we wish our representatives had. It's every citizen's responsibility to do the hard work of developing his or her own character, vision, and courage. There is no honor in expecting the people we put in office to have more integrity than we do.

There are no easy answers, but there are simple ones… If we really want a government of, by and for the People, we will need to have enough integrity and strength of character to actually stand for and vote for what we say we believe in. If we don't want our representatives to compromise their integrity when they get in office, then we shouldn't compromise ours when we go about putting them there. And the truth is, if we compromise our integrity in our daily lives, no doubt our political inclinations will lack integrity as well.

If we really want to make a difference, we might try doing the hard personal work of realigning our attitudes and behavior in such a way that they are fully consistent with our stated values.

When most people ask, "But what can I do?" All too often what they are really asking is, "What can I do that won't require me to be uncomfortable or take a risk?" And so they satisfy themselves with making gestures... like writing letters to representatives who have already demonstrated quite clearly that they have neither the courage nor the vision to honor the offices they hold. If they need your letter for advice or courage when it comes to defending the Constitution, then they really don't belong there. Why not use your energy to find and support someone who is really qualified to replace them instead.

It's no wonder that so much political activity and effort makes so little difference to the folks who hold the reigns of power. They are so smug, having absolute faith in our perpetual timidity. The power they hold would belong to us if we had the courage to take it back. All we need to do is believe in the power of the truth… and then live it.

If we would only believe in ourselves…

Sorry, but like I said: The answers are simple; they just aren't easy.

Simple...


On Citizenship
How to protect the Constitution
My Basic Strategy
Win by Losing
New Government
Following Orders
An Interview with Jesus
On Work


Not easy.

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