Skeptic Joins the Town Hall Train: Providing a Backbone for the Good Guys

Protests and the conservative message are an unnatural pair. As I heard someone joke at a conference years ago: What do we want? Gradual change! When do we want it? In due course! In fact, that’s a great case against the idea that the momentum at town hall meetings, where folks who want limited government and low taxes are speaking up, is contrived.

I’m thrilled to see that this stigma is changing, that protesting is no longer reserved for hippies and Truthers.

But I have a confession. Personally, I’ve never been part of a protest, a town hall meeting or a tea party. Sure, I’m mad as hell about some things on the table and the way the country might be heading, but I haven’t reached that moment where I’m compelled to take to the streets.

Until today.

I’m motivated to speak up and head out to one of these events, but not for the reasons you might think. I am going to make it a priority to attend a couple town hall meetings for the good guys. I want to go and thank them for standing up for the values that make this country strong. (”Values” of course means respecting life and liberty, but I see a moral value too in standing up for prosperity–for making decisions that promote business growth and keep more money in the pockets of the people who earn it to spend it, save it, invest it and yes, donate it, as they please.)

There are no perfect politicians, as there are no perfect people–but there are people making tough choices to support what’s best for America–what aligns with its rich history and what’s logical to ensure its strong future. Republicans who are distinguishing themselves as leaders against a radical, government-takeover of the health care industry need support. Democrats who have taken an unpopular stance against their leaders need to be thanked, especially when those tough choices represent the will of the people they represent. Their job is difficult and when they do the right thing, they deserve our recognition.

If voters create an atmosphere that not only punishes those who do the wrong thing, but also rewards those who take a hard stand, perhaps more politicians would be willing to make the tough choices they fear might cost them their political careers. It would send a great message to those who would consider entering politics, too; we need leaders and legislators, and if we don’t provide a bit of a backbone for them, what incentive do good people have to put themselves and their families through what’s otherwise a pretty ugly system?

Visit your local legislators’ websites and see if they are holding public events while they’re in town for the next few weeks. If your senator or congressman is one of the good guys, thank them for doing the right thing and responding to their constituents. If your legislators are among those on the fence, thank them for their thoughtful consideration and encourage them that they’ll have your support in the future if they take a stand against a cumbersome, intrusive government plan.

Cross-posted at Pink Elephant Pundit.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm and is filed under Politics and Capitol Hill. The entry is tagged under health care, protests, republican events, tea party. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.