Liberty? Certainly. But, at what price?

There is a condition borne by mankind whereby individuals will tolerate abuses and injustices rather than risking action with uncertain consequences. Surely, we have all had times whereby we have endured or even encouraged wrongdoing rather than risk ridicule. As a young person I found this within myself and as a very mature person I find it still there. I remember making fun of people who were different and often when I didn’t want to. Perhaps you too can remember similar acts in your past as ways to try and fit in or to avoid being the brunt of ridicule. As you read on, you may get the urge to stop reading. Please don’t quit.

Certainly there is a time and an age when we must begin to do the right thing regardless of the consequences. Far more intelligent people than I have pondered this thought. Thomas Jefferson comes to mind when he wrote this in the Declaration of Independence:

“…accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”

He was writing about the suffering of the people at the hands of government. In 1776 he knew that the masses would suffer evils rather than correct them. I bring this up because we find ourselves with a government that has a great number of us nervous and even alarmed. As I consider this I wonder what price will I pay, or for that matter, will anyone pay to right these wrongs. Experience and history has taught me not to expect too much from anyone, let alone myself. So, I pose this question to you. What will you pay to right the wrongs, to maintain the Constitution, to continue as a Republic, and to insure the future of America in the way we have enjoyed it.

Currently I blog, I gripe, I speak out when appropriate (and sometimes when inappropriate), I write emails and faxes. It shames me to say I have not been at a Tea Party yet I promised myself to go. Even now I wonder if I will attend or am I only fooling myself. The one town hall that I could’ve attended I skipped with the excuse that “there will be so many there I will never get in”. I didn’t see my standing outside as anything beneficial enough for me to give up my evening for. My thinking was clearly clouded by convenience and not illuminated by purpose.

Now my point is this: This is a normal human condition. I suspect everyone has this character trait to some degree. My goal is not to guilt anyone into acting or doing anything but to stimulate thought as to what price is doable for you. Listening to conservative radio and reading blogs is informative but accomplishes little else. Sending a link to someone to these blogs may be some better and of course you can tweet. I suspect that the bulk of blogs and tweets inform but produce very little real effort.

In my heart I know that I don’t want to be the first one to the microphone, or leading the march, or protesting congress. Still I know it has to be done. I am convinced with every cell of my body that our nation is in trouble that only the American people can fix. And I also know that history has shown that you and I both “prefer the pain we feel over the pain we fear”.

Thanks for reading. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I might have the wisdom and courage to change the things I can. Good luck to you.