1. A republican and a democrat were walking together down the street when they came upon a homeless man. They stopped to assess the man’s condition and promptly the republican gave the homeless man one of his business cards and told the man he could have a job at his place of business downtown. The republican then reached into his coat pocket and handed the homeless man $20. The democrat was impressed, and upon seeing another homeless man in the street, he too decided to help. The democrat bent over to give the homeless man directions to the welfare office. He then reached into the republican’s coat pocket, and gave the man $50. <br />Ask this question while pointing to the person next to you. Who are you and what are you doing here? Now realizing that we don’t live in this world by ourselves, ask yourself, Now that we’re here, what can we accomplish together? We are born into a world of contentious discussion. Each of us had a birth that was no doubt shrouded in debate. Our parents discussed the right time, the best town to live in, and the most highly recognized hospitals in which to have children. Just what were they going to call you anyway? Into such discussions and arguments we are born.<br />Generations of Americans before us bled for the right to argue. The colonists of early America fought against the British establishment for the right to argue our freedom from the oppression of a king. Which led the founders of our constitution to argue over the very “inalienable rights” we should be allowed. By virtue of God’s Grace “all men are created equal” they would say. Out of the deliberations between our Founding Fathers, and literally over their blood, sweat, and tears we were given our Declaration of Independence. <br />In his book, The Thirteen American Arguments, Howard Fineman wrote, “Conflict is built into the very landscape of our country, and into the character of the people who inhabit it.” Tonight I will share with you some of that dialogue and parts of the stories of both victors and victims. I will ask you to join me as a participant in the making of our own government. As voters, we wield a weapon more powerful than the sword…the power of voice.<br />The government today announced it is changing its emblem from an eagle to a condom because it more accurately reflects the government’s political stance. A condom stands up to inflation, halts production, destroys the next generation, and gives you a sense of protection while you’re actually being screwed. (from jokesforall.net) Citizen participation legitimizes government. “The only moral foundation of government is the consent of the people.” John Adams 1776. In 1776, the argument was “give me liberty or give me death.” The freedom to pursue opportunity was passionately sought out. Our beliefs and opinions, whether conservative or liberal, help form one’s political ideology. This freedom obligates us to participate. It is our obligation to motivate and persuade ourselves to achieve greatness. Erick Erickson, founding member of AmericanMajority.org said, “To change government, we must get involved and be part of the process.” People, our voice counts, but only when we stand up and let that voice be heard; otherwise, we are only a number.<br />John Hancock once said, as cited by Howard Fineman in The Thirteen American Arguments, that the Lord gave this country, “… a name and a standing among the nations of the world.” In our free society, people are entitled to their own opinions. We are also allowed to voice these opinions without reprisal from the government. Operation Urgent Fury was begun in 1983, and then President Ronald Reagan banned press coverage during the initial U.S. invasion of Grenada to remove a Marxist government that had taken power in a violent coup. The U.S. media cried foul and complained loudly of a new era of press censorship. It was speculated that the decision was the result of an increasing environment of distrust between the U.S. government and the media following the Vietnam War and the unseating of President Nixon. (from freedomhouse.org) Why was the press banned? Should the military be accompanied by the press when at war? These questions are continually asked, even as we are at war with nations like Pakistan and Afghanistan. It is First Amendment right that provides this freedom, and countries around the globe are in envy.<br />This is a discussion that took place between a father and his young son. Son: Dad, what’s politics? Father: Let me set an example with our family. I have all the money, so we’ll call me the President. Mom makes out the checks, so we’ll call her the government. We’ll call the maid the working class, you are the people, and you’re baby brother is the future. Do you understand now? Son: No, I still don’t understand. Father: Well, sleep on it. That night, the boy wakes up because his baby brother is crying. He goes to check on him and finds that he’s soiled his diaper. He goes to tell his mom but she’s asleep. He goes to the maid’s room but she’s in there having sex with his dad. He bangs on the door, but no one seems to hear him. The next day… Son: Dad I understand politics now. Dad: Great, now explain it to me in your own words. Son: The President is screwing the working class while the government’s fast asleep. The people are being ignored and the future is full of… Democracy is a universal value. “In a poll conducted in 12 mainly poor African countries in 2001, about 2 out of 3 say that democracy is always preferable to authoritarian rule.” (From freedomhouse.org 2005.) Research has shown that democracy not only helps people influence developing government policy, but aids development in even more fundamental ways by fostering productive economic activity. (This from Democracy: Opposing Viewpoints) Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said, “Democracy is ‘a faith that has lifted the lives of people in every corner of the globe’.” According to Freedom House, a human rights organization, 15 out of 18 Middle Eastern countries recorded some gains in women’s rights over the past five years. This is a benefit to their society. However, senior researcher Sanja Kelly stated that “The absence of democratic institutions is a significant impediment to women’s rights in the Middle East and elsewhere.<br />My friends, democracy is not just a right, it is a privilege. Many of our own descendants fought to earn this privilege and to establish our rights as citizens of a free country. I think it goes without saying that God himself had a hand in it. But as you have more than likely heard, our own government is laying the groundwork for political upheaval. If inflation goes up because of tremendous federal deficits, so will our taxes. According to expert economists, 47% of Americans won’t even pay income taxes this year. The economy is in shambles, and state deficits too continue to rise. Please, stand up, be counted, and vote. We can make a difference, together.<br /> <br />Frank Owens<br />Brenda Leiker<br />4/12/2010<br />