Sometimes we float through our day-to-day lives concentrating on the little things that affect us. Dental appointments, grocery lists and children’s grade cards seem to be the most momentous issues that we face. Oh, there may be a little gnawing discontent about national or worldly matters, but all-in-all, life seems normal…and good. We busily trip along until one day….WHAMMO!... a local school board announces that it must pass a massive levy, the city hikes trash collecting fees by a huge amount, the county announces that they must have more money to meet expenses, and the state admits that the budget will be in deficit even though they are constitutionally required to be balanced. As you stagger through the news of government irresponsibility, you discover that the federal government wants to “borrow” a trillion dollars to “stimulate” the economy. That’s right…credit card spending to get out of the hole. Doesn’t make sense, does it? Meanwhile your next door neighbor loses his job, and your company implements a new austerity program.
You may feel as if you’ve been slapped with an ice-cold washcloth. That little gnawing sense of apprehension blossoms forth into high caliber anxiety. The serenity is gone. You know now that it was false…that you were unaware of the signs of dysfunction around you. The signs were there for some time, but you were immersed in your own lucky little world. Suddenly, your eyes are opened, and you realize that the nation, state and community you love are teetering on fragile legs. They’ve lost their moorings and their principles. The standards by which you’ve navigated your entire life are no longer in play. The rules have changed, and you don’t know where to find a new rulebook.
It is time for you to shed your lethargy. The moment has come for you to transform from an observer into an activist. For one to be unaware and ignorant of the compelling issues that face our communities, our nation and our globe is no longer acceptable. You must either become engaged in the salvation of a civil society, or you will become the dross of the designs of others. Drifting along in a state of ignorant bliss is no longer an acceptable option if you value your liberty and the freedom of those for whom you care. Benign neglect of the national disintegration will lead to the confiscation of your labor and your property. At some point when you finally take note of the geometric growth of government power and its devastating impact, it may be too late to reverse the trend….to stop the erosion of liberty.
Does your new-found vigilance require that you spend your time and limited funds for numerous trips to Washington, D.C. or your state capitol? Perhaps, but not necessarily. Does your awareness require that you march, organize and create new avenues of dissent? Perhaps, but not always. The new knowledge that our nation is out of balance should lead you to passionately share your facts and feelings with those you love. Do your research and master the information. Develop a rudimentary understanding of basic economics. Read, re-read and learn the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Read the Federalist Papers or their summaries, and study synopses of the ratification process. Once you have armed yourself with the historical basis of our republic and its philosophical roots, you can be a forceful advocate at home, at work, in your local organizations and at church. Capitalize on every opportunity to share the message of limited, fiscally restrained government and freedom.
Given the type of person who reads Littlestuff-minoosha, this column is probably the ultimate “preaching to the choir.” Just as any great athlete or musician must continue to practice the basics, so too must patriots continually remind themselves to speak out and speak up. If we drop our guard or look away for a short time, our gains will erode and our energies will be sapped. We must not, we cannot assume that the new regimes in the House of Representatives and our state capitals will pick up our baton and carry the race to the finish line. They are politicians. They do what is most self-serving and expedient. Also, a number of those who are in the majority have been in office for many years and have in the past held the majority with a president from their own party. They governed poorly, irresponsibly and passed toxic legislation that undermined the fiscal integrity of our nation. They implemented legislative action that seriously undercut our personal liberties. Be wary. Be watchful. Your self-imposed session of serenity has ended.
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