Had a rare moment yesterday morning to read in bed in a quiet house and think. The book I finished gave me lots to think about. It's
Glenn Beck's Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine.
I've mentioned before how unpolitically active I was growing up and even as a young adult. Maybe like some of you, politics didn't interest me. But I did love history. Perhaps I thought because so many men and women had fought and died so many times for this country that it would naturally stay on track. Perhaps I placed too much trust in our appointed leaders. Things seemed fine, so wouldn't they continue on just fine without my involvement?
My views have dramatically changed over the last year and a half. I don't trust our political leaders anymore and things definitely are not fine.
But now isn't the time to throw the towel in. We need to do just the opposite. The biggest thing I took away from Glenn's book was this: what we do or don't do right now will affect our children and grandchildren.
We know the sacredness of freedom of choice. We've had the immeasurable blessing of this freedom in our lifetime, but will our children and grandchildren have this same blessing? The blessing of living in a country where they can choose where to live and work, how to spend their time and money, or what activities and causes they will support?
For some time now, my hubby has e-mailed or called our state representatives in Washington about once a week, urging them to vote against the health care reform bill. I applauded him and even thought maybe these individuals would be influenced by the consistency and drive of this Mr. Henrie from Lehi. I also hoped there were others doing the same thing, probably because I wasn't.
The day before the House was to vote on the bill, he asked me to e-mail Congressman Matheson and ask him to vote no. I did - and even though I knew I was just one person, it felt great to do something active to help this country. It was a good reminder to me that these leaders answer to us, and if they don't, then we won't support them come next election.
And just because the House passed that bill, doesn't mean we give up. It still has to go through the Senate.
If we're frustrated by the decisions of our leaders, if they're not in step with what we believe and want for this country, then let them know. It's not time to throw the towel in - there is still hope for this amazing country.
I had the house to myself this past weekend. Peter took the boys to St. George to stay with some friends. They hiked and swam and played and had a great time. And me: I had a fantastic break.
