America was established as a country in which the people would have the final say in who would serve in public office. Every citizen of the United States who is of legal age has the right and privilege not only to vote, but to research and vet their local candidates and then support and campaign for the individual that they choose. Unfortunately, most of us have left this responsibility to others for many years, and we are now reaping the results.
What you may not know, is that even the “powers that be” within your own political party may not want you to exercise your freedom of choice in this area. If the past year of activism has taught us anything, it is that the political party establishments are used to choosing our candidates for us. But the spirit of individual freedom that the tea party “movement” has brought with it does not fit well into that plan. The NY-23 race was a perfect example of this.
The complacency of conservatives is ruining this country. We have been deceived into believing that if we simply show up at the voting booth in November, that we are performing our obligation as citizens of this Republic. Voting is not enough. If we wait until the November elections to do something, then we have already allowed someone else to choose a candidate for us. The party heads win and the people lose. This has been the process for years, but it must end. It is time that we stop complaining about the fact that we are forced into voting for the lesser of two evils, and we begin working to put the candidate that we want in office.
The Franklin County Patriots will be taking steps in the upcoming weeks and months to help the citizens of Franklin County be as informed as possible about those who will be running for office, but we will not attempt to tell anyone how to vote. We do not need local or national organizations or committees making our decisions for us. A lazy, uninformed electorate breeds a corrupt government.
Nobody can do the work for you. It’s up to each of us to make the effort. Phone calls and letters to Washington are great, but getting involved in local races is where we can really make a difference. Now is the time to get to know and begin vetting the candidates who will be running in the upcoming primaries and elections. Don’t let the media or party establishments decide for you.
