you can make a difference in your government!

7/31/2019 YOU CAN Make A Difference In YOUR Government!

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Good morning! I am.well, it doesnt matter who I am. I am nobody in

particular. Im just a plain old mom who woke up one day to find that my

children were being taught almost no history or civics in public school, and

that my country had changed without me knowing about itmost probably

for the same reason.

Granted, I was not the only one that woke up suddenly in 2008. Who canforget the national media coverage of the tea party tidal wave? Citizens all

across this country flocked to tea parties where they could yell and scream

about the recent injuries and usurpations to our freedoms, but then many took

up yelling at the TV as their only source of political action outside voting.

Here in Oklahoma, some of us joined a local tea party or other liberty-minded

group such as the OKC or Tulsa 912 Projects, OCPAC or OK-SAFE. We

listened to speaker after speaker talk about the destruction of our individual

liberties, in this country once brimming with opportunity! Even more of us

had to learn how our government workedknowing little about the process of

even how a bill was passed!A few, like me, formed their own organizations to research, write and educate

other citizens about how our loss of liberties through the rise of governmental

bureaucraciesmany not even under the immediate jurisdiction of elected

officialssuch as Fusion Centers, Agenda 21 and Common Core State

Standards.

In fact, the more I became educated on what was going on around me, the

madder I got! I simply couldnt understand how MY elected representatives

had allowed so much of MY freedom to slip away! Yet the biggest education I

ever got was thatit wasnt my elected officials who let my freedom slip away

IT WAS ME! I AM THE PEOPLEWE ARE THE PEOPLE!

Im ashamed to say this, but prior to 2008, I had been in the building behind us

maybe onceon a school field trip! I had voted in every election I could, but Inever knew who my elected representatives were, or how even to contact them,

so I didnt.

Once it finally occurred to me that I had NO CHOICE but to communicate

with my elected representatives if I wanted to keep my liberties, I walked

resolutely, through these doors behind me, introduced myself and stated my

concerns. I have to admit, I was NERVOUS! I mean, after all, this is an


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imposing place whose hallowed halls are filled with ELECTED officials

people who must somehow be ultimately better than me.

Well guess what I found out? Theyre NOT.

In fact, many legislators in this building know NOTHING about some of the

topics plopped down in front of them in a bill. If you dont tell them yourthoughtsthe CHAMBER OF COMMERCE or a LOBBYISTwill and they

will RARELY have YOUR best interest at heart! Truly, the men and women

who occupy the building behind us are not better than you or Idont forget,

taxpayer and elected official alikewere ALL CREATED EQUAL. The

legislators who work inside this building are hired by the PEOPLE to serve the

people - REPRESENTING the wishes of the PEOPLE in their government in a

SERVANT role!

In the three years since becoming the President of ROPE, I have been insidethis building countless timesI have spoken to legislators in hallways, offices

and the infamous Senate and House lobbies from whence the term lobbyist

comes. I have been yelled at, lied tobeen called a liarchewed out and

ignored by more elected officials than I ever knew even existed prior to 2008.

I have also met a number of legislators and elected officials who are warm and

welcoming of my opinions and thoughts and who do the very best they can to

serve not only their constituents, but all of Oklahoma as well. Thankfully,these are becoming more numerous as voters awaken and realize there is more

to being a good legislator than a (D) or (R) behind their name.

So here is my advice to you and my teacher was Amanda, so Ive learned from

the best: IMMEDIATELY find out who your senator and representatives are.

During the summer and fall, while they have more time than during a

legislative session when theyre trying to read 25 bills a day, ask them to meet

with youinvite them to coffee, for example. Learn about their interests andfamilytalk to them about yours. Tell them your ideas about how

government should run.

This is my State Representative, Lewis Moore. He is the next-door neighbor of

one of my good friends, but he and I met several years ago when I introduced

myself to him at a meeting. Over the course of the years, he and I have become

acquainted and have worked together on a number of issues. Lewis has my


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cell phone number and I have his. In fact, he gives out his cell phone number

to his constituents, but fewif ANY, call! When I have a question or need

help, I can call, or text, Lewis. Thanks Lewis for your help!

After you have met your legislators, keep in touch with them

PARTICULARLY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. Let them know

how you feel about the bills that are being examined by the legislature.

A great way to do this is to sign up for emails from one of the grassroots

OKLAHOMA groups you see out here today - such as OCPAC, one of the

912s or ROPE. We ALL send out emails to educate people about both bad

bills and good bills. We tell you how to stop them or get them passed, and ask

you to help us by calling your legislators and make your thoughts known!

As you have come to understand this morningand I hope become very angry

aboutwe are at a crossroads in our country. Complacency will NOT steerAmerica back on her courseonly active and informed citizens can man that

boat and turn the wheel! In that vein, I leave you with a quote from then

Congressmen James Garfield, who gave the Congressional address on the 100th

anniversary of our Declaration of Independence in 1876:

"Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of

their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the

people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent,brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to

represent them in the national legislature If the next centennial does not

find us a great nation it will be because those who represent the enterprise,

the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political

forces."

you can make a difference in your government!

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