Change So Easy a Child Can Do It

theCL 2009-03-19 Election Campaign, Op-Ed

If you want real change in Washington, it's actually easy to achieve. All you have to do is make a decision, and stand firm. Yes, YOU.

For example, "we the people" seem to be convinced that there are only 2 choices available in the majority of our elections. The common belief is that "third-parties" and/or "independents" can't win, because not enough "other people" will vote for them too. Since the common belief is that "winning" is the most important thing, you (whether Left or Right) hold your nose and vote for the "lesser evil."

Once that "lesser evil" wins and takes office though, what exactly is it that you've won? I mean ... admittedly, you just voted for an "evil." Right?

Most of us in America today have reduced ourselves to being nothing more than mere Political Zombies. And to be frank with you ... it's pathetic. Here's WHY ...

It's safe to say that anger is brewing among the populace in America, and the politicians and pundits are fanning the flames for political games gain. And in what direction are they fanning these flames? Why at none other than "CEO's" and "Wall Street" and "Greed" of course ...

I'm not here to defend any of the above listed. I am here however, to warn about the dangers of directing our collective anger at these people, and to (hopefully) help in redirecting that anger towards the proper target - just aim directly at the Establishment!

The Republican vs. Democrat debate is over. It's dead. To believe otherwise, is to believe in fantasy. If you think otherwise, just ask yourself this:

If both parties claim to be against deficit spending, then why do we constantly have deficits? If both parties are against high taxes and inflation, then why do we have high taxes and inflation?

What about the current banking crisis? Is it just me, or have you too noticed that neither party is calling for a criminal investigation of Congress? Or ... what about each member returning all of the ill-gotten donations made to their campaigns?

But, but ... it's the "other parties" fault! "They" blocked "our" reform! Yeah ... right ... By the way, I've got a terrific deal on a bridge (to nowhere) you may be interested in, just hit me up on my email!

There is currently about 306,000,000 American citizens, yet only 545 of us set fiscal policy, write laws and tax codes, create regulations, and treat our Constitution like toilet paper ... In other words, only .000178% of the people control the rest of us!

Is that representative government? Really? A mere 545 people?

Ignoring the unfunded liabilities of social security and Medicare et. al. (for the moment), the federal budget deficit is over $11 trillion ... um, that's $11 trillion of YOUR MONEY! Yet both on the Right and the Left, "we the people" keep on in blind ignorance as we claim these people our "leaders."

Zombies ...

I know, I know ... we live in a "modern" world, things are different, the thoughts and convictions of our Founders - those "dead white men" - are meaningless in our intricate, "modern" world of today ...

But I'm going to quote one of those cavemen anyways ... You see, they didn't trust politicians like we sophisticated "modern" folk. Nope! They weren't smart enough to listen to the "intellectuals," or act like a bunch of mindless Political Zombies that entrust their freedom in the hands of an incredibly small, exclusive Elite.

In questions of power...let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.
- Thomas Jefferson: Draft, Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

Confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism. Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence.
- Thomas Jefferson: Draft, Kentucky Resolutions, 1798.

There is not one significant problem today, foreign or domestic, that can't be traced directly to these 545 people. Taxes, war, inflation, corporate welfare, corruption, voter fraud, the erosion of our inalienable rights ... all of it! And shining a bright light on this fact today, sits the current economic crises!

545 people have done this to the rest of us! All 305,999,455 of us have been had.

Yes, I know, I know ... I'm being "unrealistic" and ignoring the "reality" of the situation. These are our "leaders!" They have to "solve" these problems (they created)! We need to "trust" our politicians, and instill "confidence" in our institutions. "We the people" need to encourage more "bi-partisanship" ... blah, blah, blah, you can keep on digging that grave ...

On the other hand though, I'm pretty sure that 305,999,455 strong, can defeat a mere 545 Kings and Queens.

If ever this vast country is brought under a single government, it will be one of the most extensive corruption, indifferent and incapable of a wholesome care over so wide a spread of surface.
- Thomas Jefferson to William T. Barry, 1822. ME 15:389

Nor should [a legislative body] be deluded by the integrity of their own purposes and conclude that... unlimited powers will never be abused because themselves are not disposed to abuse them ...
- Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 1798. ME 10:44

Americans are rightfully getting angry, but let's make sure we direct our anger at those who've earned it - the 545! You see ... each one of us, regardless of political affiliation, are individuals living individual lives. This means that each one of us, individually, must make up our minds regarding what we want in both our lives, and in our government. Then we must LIVE IT!

If the Democratic or Republican candidate isn't living up to your personal standards, don't vote for them! Yes, it's that simple ... but it does mean "change" ... change on your part, that is. Real change means that sometimes YOU have to make "unpopular" decisions. You won't be able to rely on "the party" or "the leaders" anymore, because YOU have officially taken the leadership role!

As a leader, you can't simply put your finger in the air and decide based on which way the wind blows. Your political concerns can no longer be about which "party" wins, but about the advancement and integrity of principles and governing philosophy. Being the leader means you have to be willing to accept defeat - even humiliating defeat. But keep in mind ... it was Goldwater's landslide loss, that paved the way for Reagan's landslide victory!

Leaders don't follow the crowd, waiting for "other people" to join them. Instead, leaders pave a path that others can follow. As a leader, you won't be successful sitting around trying (waiting) to convince others of the merit of your ideas, you must forge ahead in example! YOU must show the way!

A New Revolution:

If we continue down our path, acting like a bunch of Political Zombies following the so-called leadership of politicians and pundits ... "We the people," regardless of political stripe, will soon face a cold, rude-awakening.

Blaming "CEO's, Wall Street, Greed," et. al. can lead down only one certain road - people against people, class warfare and the inevitability that follows ... despotism.

If "we the people" continue turning on each other during these historic times we're living today ... the 545 will continue to increase their power, pass more laws, collect more taxes, and infringe our rights while they fan the flames of discontent between ourselves even more.

As the anger amongst ourselves continues to grow, the 545 will present themselves as the "answer" to each of our problems (again), and keep legislating against all of us in the name of one constituency group or another ... until they've seized total control.

The recent growth in Tea Parties is very exciting and personally, I can't wait to go to the one in Lansing next month! It gives us hope for sure, but let's never forget who our real enemies are ... the 545!

Your next-door neighbor who voted for Obama is not your enemy. The people being brainwashed into believing demanding "redistribution" by ACORN and others, are not your enemies either. It doesn't even matter if they desire a Marxist Revolution, because they still aren't the enemy ...

The enemy is the 545! Because without the help of this exclusive, elite bunch that thirsts for power and fans the flames of discontent between "we the people" ... the 545 who willingly ignore the Rule of Law and our Constitution ... a person's desire for a Marxist Revolution can't be realized against you. Only the 545 can make it a reality.

The Path to Real Change:

The path to real change is so simple even a child can do it.

It's a simple change of mindset. Just go ahead and take the leadership role! Make the personal decision to stand up for your principles, then go live them and vote accordingly. That's all it takes.

In making this decision, we will turn the tides of discontent in our country ... and they'll be turned against the Establishment! America will once again belong to "we the people," bringing the era of trillion-dollar deficit spending to an end ... at least until the next time we choose to live as Zombies ...

If not ... despotism is what we'll get. And we're a lot closer to it than you may realize.