Five Stages

Political reality seems like an oxymoron. If you think about it, though, it is not such a strange construct. Politicians create their own reality….far from what the rest of us must live. For years I have been an outlier regarding the political class of our nation, states and locales. It’s true that I served in the state legislature back in the ‘80’s, and my experience then plus my observations since have transformed me into a harsh critic of government, elected officials and the bureaucracy.

Despite my frustration and discontent, I did not begin to express my despair with others until 2009. The loosely formed reformists known as the “Tea Party movement” provided an outlet for me to share my perceptions. As a long-time partisan activist, I believed that I had much to share with many who were becoming politically active for the first time in their lives. The challenge is somewhat of a balancing act between sharing cynical political tips that would cause the new people to parrot the career politicians, and giving enough strategic, tactical and communication help to assist their becoming an effective electoral force.

There are five stages in current political involvement that I have identified. There may be more, but I’m rather simplistic and insensitive, thus I tend to overlook subtlety. Just as sobriety may include Twelve Steps and grief has its recognizable stages so does political activism. The Charlie Earl taxonomy for political development begins with Hope, then Surprise, followed by Disbelief, succeeded by Dismay and concluding with either Withdrawal or Frothing Anger.

“Hope springs eternal in the human breast” wrote Alexander Pope, and his observation was general but has direct application to the person who launches into political activity. Our individual egos cause us to believe that our investments of time, talent and funds will make a difference. Some little voice deep within us convinces us that our personal involvement may trigger the tipping point. As we gather together with others who share our dreams for re-establishing the Republic as the Framers designed it, we enjoy palpable energy and power as we unite to reach our goals. After meeting several candidates who tell us that they are totally committed to our viewpoints, we trudge the streets, make the phone calls and campaign furiously for their success.

Once our victorious anointed candidate assumes office we relish the feeling of satisfaction we have because we have done our part to elect a true reformer. Until….that first vote that supports a clearly unconstitutional position. True, it was a vote that the leadership lobbied for, but we believed that OUR committed candidate would hold fast. Our shock became surprise that he had so quickly and so cavalierly discarded those principles that he claimed to share with us. We rationalize it by giving him a pass because he’s a “rookie” in that particular office while deep within we know that he has held other offices before. He is no rookie. He is a career politician.

A short time later our golden boy casts another vote that contradicts the Constitution and declares that he did so “for the good of the country.” That gnawing feeling in the pit of our stomachs following the first vote has exploded into heartburn as we watch in stunned disbelief. OUR candidate does not represent us….except for a few minor votes of no importance. OUR candidate is a big-government statist with an “I-know-best” elitist attitude. He’s the same nice fellow that appeared at our meeting. He has the same smile and friendly attitude he had when out leaders endorsed him. He apparently does NOT have a clear vision of constitutional principles. He is a career politician.

As the legislative session moves on, our “representative” casts several critical votes that increase the size of government, adds additional spending or causes taxes to be higher. Our disbelief morphs into dismay as OUR representative rationalizes each and every irresponsible vote and implies that ‘we the people” do not have the necessary information for such critical decisions. We do know, however, what insolvency is. We do know, however, what large over regulating government is. We do know, however, what business-killing taxation is. We now know what a career politician is.

Now we arrive at the critical junction for a new political activist. One path is strewn with frustration and disillusionment. The newly aware political activist stops attending meetings and rallies. She no longer volunteers for membership drives, issue education forums or candidate assistance. The news from the internet and the television sickens her, and she chooses not to engage in political discussions. The other path is adorned with flaming bushes and cacti. Her anger fuels her energy as she dives into the fray with greater and more forceful resolve than before. She becomes “Wonder Woman for Liberty” and battles every incremental advance of the statist agenda. The wise person joins her, and the fool resists her. In her hands, in her heart lies the future of the Republic. She may not succeed, but she will be a determined advocate for freedom. Clearly the deck is stacked against freedom. The time has come for new cards.

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Serendipitous Serenity

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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