Blog
NEW WATCHMEN: THE CASE FOR ONGOING ACTIVISM AND ACCOUNTABILITY
August 26, 2010
Growing up in east Texas, far removed from a large metropolis, it was standard operating procedure to perform outdoor yard work under the hot Texas sun on any given weekend. Always present was my grandfather who was all-too-familiar with the operating functions of a lawn mower, how to remove brush from a clearing, and the proper parts needed for an efficient diesel engine. Years prior, he had made a living as a roughneck, an oilman who’d done hard work on rigs throughout the state; this provided vast amounts of real world experience alongside well-weathered hands that had seen their fair share of labor. Among his advice on how to get the best looking lawn, he would often tell stories of his days in the oilfield, and in particular, how it was vital to hold those accountable who had given promises and commitments: keep a close eye on those entrusted to hold up their end of the bargain.
Lessons from years past come back front-and-center when one examines the current climate of wayward assurances and oblivious guarantees personified by elected officials. Now, more than ever, the public is growing weary of politicians who promise to take on the political establishment – to bring about meaningful and substantive change – then all-too-often become part of the system and morph into the very thing they once opposed. How often have we heard prospective candidates claim that they will rid government of waste and corruption and then watch as spending and regulation increase during their term in office? The longer someone holds office, it is often the case that they become susceptible to its trappings and corruptive influences.
Most recently, here in Texas, a state representative was caught double-dipping: using his campaign expense account for lavish hotels, airline tickets, and costly meals, then billed the state for the exact same expenses. First his campaign paid for the goodies, then the state reimbursed him 100 percent. State Representative Joe Driver has been in office for 18 years and I have no doubt that his original intentions 18 years ago were genuine and sincere, wanted to represent his constituents as best he could, but in the past five years alone he has taken at least $17,431.55 from taxpayers; not exactly carrying out the will of the people.
This is not so much a commentary on the occurrences of a single Texas politician, but more so the importance of having an active electorate that remains engaged and committed to holding elected officials accountable. For a healthy democracy to survive and progress, it is imperative that there remain an active populace involved in current political affairs. The day after the election, when campaigning stops, those who voted need to remain alert and attentive when candidates become incumbents. A sharp message has to be understood that once in office, their actions will be watched and closely monitored; if they step out of line – whether raising our taxes our double-dipping from taxpayer funds – we’ll find someone to run against you next election. Our officials work for us and need to be kept aware of this fact.
Around the country, establishment figures are dropping like flies: Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania and Bob Bennett of Utah, two longtime senate incumbents both lost in primaries, didn’t even make it to a general election. Just yesterday, long shot Joe Miller was beating Republican incumbent Lisa Murkowski in the Alaskan Senate Republican primary. Miller was once an afterthought, not taken seriously, Murkowski had millions on hand and by all accounts a shoe-in to win, now her campaign is reduced to hoping for positive absentee ballots to eke out a win.
What’s going on? Around the country a once-dormant public is getting more and more actively engaged, serving as watchmen over our elected officials and holding them accountable: a harsh but realistic counterbalance to an out of touch cadre ramming an agenda against the interests of American voters. Many in the media and in Washington are downplaying these events, giving short shrift to Tea Party activists, standing in disbelief that the public would oppose their utopian statist agenda.
The election is only a few months way, but we need to keep this momentum alive and well through November and well-beyond. Regardless of what the elite is spewing from their ivory towers, an active and engaged citizenry is what took this country to great heights and accomplishments and it is exactly what is needed for a return-path to greatness.
I am not new to the cause, but new to this site. I too was raised in West Texas. My daddy, grandfather, and great grandfather were in the oil-patch. Thank you for your input.
I agree with what you have written, I was raised to be honest and hardworking, respectful, and caring. I have raised my children to be that way. However I fear that if we as a people ,living in this United states dont stand up and make ourselves heard that we are tierd of broken promises and paying for the mistakes of others , that we will loose the opportunity to do so under the political mumbojumbo, and once that time is gone what will be here for my grandchildren OUR grandchildren.I fear another revolution is at hand, and pray we all dont loose all trying to win the fight. Although fight we will that is who we are that is what makes us a great people.
Evil spawns only when good men sit idly by and do nothing.
The problem isn’t the Repulican party. The problem isn’t the Democratic party. The problem is both parties. Each party has contributed to the to the mess we call government. The parties sleep in the same bed, but get out on opposite sides.
The startling truth that exists in this saga is the fact both sides seek the same end result.
What is the end result is the undermining this Republic.
If the Founders were alive today, every tree in Washington would have have a traitor hanging from it.
Since the creation of the Federal Reserve, this nation has been under attack. The Founders warned us not to open our financial system to foreign influence, but the warnings were not heeded.
When the United States defeated England, a warning was given that she would over time fall. No nation can defeat this nation by force. Yet, this nation is being taken over from the inside. A rich banker made a statement that whoever controls the money makes the laws. It is easy to see how well this plot has worked in this nation by examining how far she has drifted from the truths handed down by the Founders.
People don’t understand that if the roots of the tree dies, the tree will fall and this nation is almost there.
It is startling to hear the many people who think socialism is a good thing. Has this nation gone past the point of not return?
I just wonder what is going to come first, total socialism or moslem takeover.
It is good that something like this is finally here, and about time too!!! I would like to get a message out to all Tea Partiers and patriots. Please don’t fall for the Liberal rhetoric “We can talk it over and work it out” and it’s also come to my attention that some “Career Politicians” are converting or trying to convert to the Tea Party. Let me remind you that they have no interest whatsoever in serving you or I. they like the Generals in Hitler’s Army during the Second World War have but one thought and that is to keep their jobs and lifestyle..Ladies and Gentlemen A leopard never..I repeat never changes it’s spots..please don’t be decieved by all this, they know that we have them on the run now and they know that we’ve had enough, and they will try anything to keep their jobs..it’s time that we elect brand new people and get rid of everyone, both Republician and Democrat, because now it’s to the point that we can’t tell the difference any more…the person needs to be from the Tea Party or the American party, not from either the Republician or Democrart.
How can it be startling to hear that people think socialism is a good thing? The abuse of this very system that is detailed in the article has created a situation where the vast majority of people, who are at the bottom of the pyramid, would be far better off if wealth was redistributed. It’s not hard to understand at all- crass capitalism will ALWAYS turn into this. It is a system that has no real fail-safe for selfishness, because the mechanisms in place to halt it are themselves corrupted by it.
Socialism is not some great evil- to even compare it to Militant Islam is absurd. It’s a system that takes into account natural human greed and attempts not to give it free rein. The current American brand of Capitalism hardly even pretends to care.
Consider this- I assume many of the people who post here and write these articles are Christians- well God FORBADE the Israelites to charge interest on loans. Consider how completely such a concept would change the financial structure of this nation- and the vast majority of people who buy into this system would be utterly opposed to it. The reason people did not listen to warnings about the Fed and the real reason people are up in arms about so-called “socialist agendas” is because America is in love with and in bondage to money.
Until these wrong notions of personal possession and the “American Dream” of living in shameful excess compared to others are changed in the hearts and minds of the people, no amount of watchfulness or activism will have any lasting impact. “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”
Change starts from within.
We must put GOD & PRAYER back in our country or we will lose everything. I grew up in the Texas Panhandle, where morals and manners were a part of everyday life. We stood up for each other and said hello to our neighbors. WE THE PEOPLE must stand together as a nation or islam will take over.
Good luck, Luke is a fine example of Texas/Southern conservatism.
A Friend in Georgia
Does one need to be a citizen of Texas to care about what is going on in Texas and everyone other state in this union? Nonetheless, I have heard many people say that it is not one party that is causing these problems it is both. I can understand that comment to a degree when it is “the party” that one looks at when things go bad or good for that matter. In my opinion it is not a party that is the problem at all but an increasingly shallow knowledge of what our Founders did and the means to maintain what we have been given. If it is stepping on toes then so be it but to maintain the divine gift of liberty we have been bestowed with there must be a firm belief in God and the Bible, without it you are wasting your time and everyone else’s. If someone wants to keep their teeth for as long as they can what do they do? Brush them right? And continue to brush them every day, every month, every year, get check ups right? Well why would maintaining a country be any different. The established principles must remain in order to maintain.
Randy is correct the problem is both parties. And American Majority is also to blame. They continue to push the GOP agenda in some races no matter what. Even if there is another more conservative candidate. They should have the tax-exampt status revoked because some of the employees push the republican agenda as well as specific candidates.
You may say that the problem is not both parties, you could not be more wrong.
Both parties have been compromised and are under control of the men who control the financial institutions of the world. These men are ruthless and will crush any who attempt to stop their global agenda and that includes Presidents.
Anyone who does not belive that there was indeed a conspiracy in the Kennedy assassination is a fool. Then when Robert threw his hat in the ring for the Presidency, they had to kill him. If he had become President, he could have exposed the conspiracy for one. So they had to kill him because if they gambled that he would not win the Presidency and he did, they would not be able to assassinate him then because the Amerian people would most certainly revolt.
So they could not take the chance. They had to kill Robert before he was President.
As for prayer being put back in our schools, it will not happen without force. Too many people have been brainwashed to believe it was the right thing to do. To mamy are on the side of the globalists.