These are 8 questions posed by Glenn Beck in his book, Common Sense - The Case Against An Out-Of-Control Government, inspired by Thomas Paine. Americans may, in general, have much more in common than we imagine if you compare my answers to yours.
1. Do you trust those in power to always tell you the hard truth - especially if it would hurt them at election time?
No. That's the simplest way to say it. If it will hurt their chances to get elected, I do not trust either of my Congressmen or my Representative to tell me the truth. My Representative is already running campaign style ads even though she was elected a little over 8 months ago. She is boasting over TARP and pushing the Health Care bill.
2. How is it possible that every president since Jimmy Carter has promised to lower our dependence on foreign oil, but now we import more oil than ever from countries that do us harm?
They lie to us? Or more correctly, they tell us what we want to hear and then go forward with what their plans were all along. I wonder how much of our dependence on foreign oil is the result of back room dealing. We could have easily drilled for and processed more oil than we have. Off-shore drilling has become safer and more efficient than ever. The main problem lies in transport (where most spillage happens) and in processing. We have a dearth of plants to process crude oil. It's from the "not in my backyard" syndrome. It sounds like a good idea but no one wants it near them.
3. Are we to honestly believe that the country that took the idea of a man walking on the moon and turned it into a reality within eight years, or the country that built a transcontinental railroad in seven years (without power tools or machines) doesn't have the ability to completely build the 670-mile fence along our southern border that was promised to us in 2005?
They seem to expect us to believe it. I'm under the impression that our elected officials do not have a high opinion of the intelligence or memories of their constituents. That must be why they keep making promises and yet never following through. We are an advanced, accomplished nation who, for the most part, is not afraid of a little hard work. The fence could have easily been constructed no later than 2007. That would anger a voting block though (ignoring the fact that if a person is here illegally they are not supposed to be voting). Our government seems to prefer blaming American landowners along the border for any violence that occurs instead of the people trespassing on and vandalizing their land. Unfortunately, unless an massive, tragic event that cannot be ignored by those in power occurs as a result of the unsecured southern border it is unlikely to happen.
4. Why are the same politicians who insist America is a "melting pot" the first ones to insist that different races, nationalities, and ethnicities retain their distinct languages, identities, and practices?
I had a hard time with this question, or more correctly, I had a hard time not answering it as "they're idiots who'd rather stump for future votes than follow our laws and customs." This country has been shaped by those immigrants who came here legally (by what ever laws governed their time) and adapted to us as we adapted to them. They took the time and had the pride to want to become part of their new home. They did not want to retain all of where they had left. If they did, they would never have left. I can trace on my father's side ancestors who came to this country before the Revolution and on my mother's side ones who immigrated at the turn of the 20th Century. Each took on the new language, customs and traditions of their new home while integrating some of their own traditions. The point is to mix and adapt.
5. Why are those who respectfully question the science behind global warming mocked and condemned?
If you can not defend your reasons, you mock those who question you. It's a distraction technique. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
6. Do you believe that your elected representatives view themselves as truly being "public servants" who place your well-being above their own?
I believe they tell themselves that as they pat their own backs. In reality, they toe the party line without regard to the input of their constituents. I do not think they realize they can be voted OUT of office as easily as they were voted IN.
7. Do you believe that those in Washington see your face when they make decisions or, instead, the faces of those who richly contribute to their campaigns?
The phrase "out of sight, out of mind" applies here. They will see first what pads their pockets and increases their power. It is our duty, as those they represent, to REMIND them that we are here and we care what is happening. We need to frequently, whether by phone, letter or email, let those we elected know our views on the issues. This is part of our responsibility as Americans. "We the people" implies action on our parts to support and maintain the writings that govern our lives.
8. Do you believe that our "public servants" have your best interests at heart and will defend your life, liberty, and property?
I wish for it. I hope for it. I dream for it. Alas, it is not our current reality. Congress has shown that they will hold to a certain set of actions regardless of what their constituents may feel and damn the consequences. I think they no longer serve the public but themselves.
I was not always so cynical about our government. It is a good one representing freedom and unity. Our Constitution is a timeless work designed to protect the governed from those who would govern. Somewhere along the way, our elected officials departed from this path. They instead choose to push their powers to micromanage the lives of those they were intended to serve "for our own good." We need to regain the path of freedom from interference. We need to take a stand and announce to, nay demand, a return to common sense and practicality.
We need our officials to recognize simple truths such as for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. For example, if you tax a business, they will pay for that tax with increased prices. Those increase prices will not be affordable to those struggling in this weak economy. They will choose to do without. When they choose to do without, the business earns less money and will let workers go to balance their tills. Those workers let go, will be unable to afford the products as well and the cycle will continue. They need to step back and let business right itself. Nature wants to find a balance. Let it and stop playing whack-a-mole with the economy and our lives.
We need to make our voices heard in as many ways as possible whether in rallies, letters, blogs, emails, editorials, or phone calls. We need to make our elected "representatives" understand we are ready to make the choice to support them with neither money nor vote unless they return to the American paths of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Signed,
The Daughter of the Electorate
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