I’m sure you’ve all heard the joke, “How can you tell when a politician is lying?” The answer, of course, is: “When their lips are moving!” While this is a sad commentary on the state of politics in the 21st century, it’s an even sadder commentary on the state of our society! What does it say about us that we hire people to represent us who we know are lying to us? What does it say about Americans that those who lie the best keep their jobs the longest? If these people represent us, what does their character say about us as a nation? Just as in colonial times, more often than not our government represents the worst of our natures, not the best. If there is a problem in Washington it is ultimately our fault. If that is the bad news, the good news is that it means we can fix it. However, it will take a long time and probably not the path you expected.
If we want to change Washington, we have to first take responsibility for the state that it is in and for our lack of knowledge about how it should work. One look at the current debate about the repeal and replacement of Obamacare should show that once people get to Washington they are probably already too far gone to make meaningful change. No, we need to look at this a different way. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If we want to restore some semblance of sanity in Washington we need to do three things.
First, we must educate ourselves and those around us in how our government was designed to work. So much of what Washington does is blatantly unconstitutional, yet millions of people ignore this fact. In many cases, they asked the government to do it in the first place. Until we know and understand the different roles and responsibilities of the different governments that make up this nation we will be sailing the open ocean with neither a star nor compass to guide us.
Second, we must look for candidates in local and state elections who will uphold their oaths to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and their states. While it is extremely difficult to get a meeting with a U.S. Congressman or Senator, I’ve found sitting down with my state representatives quite easy. In fact, most of them seem to like getting information directly from their constituents. Shortly after I moved to Tennessee, I reached out to my state senator and representative and asked for a meeting. I told them I was new to the area and wanted to learn about the big issues I should be aware of. Not only did we have an excellent meeting and discussed many issues, but I found I was able to email them about a variety of subjects and get responses. I now make it a habit of reaching out and talking, if not meeting, with both of them after every session. I congratulate them on legislative actions I thought were good and ask for their reasoning for actions I disagree with. I learn about issues and concerns they see coming in the future and try to reply with positions and research that may help or at least reinforces my suggestions. While I cannot claim I’ve made a change at the state level, I have at least influenced the people who represent my neighbors and myself at the state capital. Maybe one day they will run for federal office, and hopefully, I have made an impression they will take with them.
Third, we must hold our elected representatives accountable for their actions. Voting is important, but even more, it is a solemn duty, one which too many of us shrug off like getting out of jury duty. We need to be looking for men and woman who have demonstrated they will support the Constitution with their deeds, not just their words. Too often we wait until the second Tuesday in November and choose the lesser of two evils. Do you know what you get when you choose the lesser of two evils? You get evil! Don’t wait until the week before the election to decide who to vote for and please do not vote that party line. Start learning about the candidates during the primaries, or even better before. Meet them, talk to them, ask them hard questions, and ask them to show you what they have done to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution. After all, that is what they are going to swear to do if they take office.
How can you make a difference? By joining us at The Constitution Study, where everyone from the curious to the expert can get together to read ans study the Constitution. Join our growing band of self-taught patriots. Sign up today and you’ll get updates on my new book, products, and events. Consider becoming a member and supporting our work.
I hope you’ll join us at The Constitution Study. Together we can read and study how our federal government was designed to work, learn how to apply the Constitution to our lives today, and discover how through working together we can make a change in our nation and our lives.
