One of the most contentious, divisive, and impactful pieces of legislation has just been signed into law. The US Senate has just approved along party lines an equally divisive and controversial reconciliation bill that will amend that law. No matter what side of this argument — for truly, that’s what this has been — don’t you dare step down for one iota and rest.
A whole crop of senators and representatives are up for reelection this November. Because of the emotional power and contentiousness of the health insurance bill, there is a very strong likelihood that factions from all sides will attempt to wrest control of government from the citizens and place it into their hands. Do not allow that to happen.
No matter what you believe happened over the past few months, and no matter what source from which you receive your news,you are going to be fed disinformation, propaganda, and outright lies in order to sway your opinion for the polls this November. This will happen across all racial, societal, and religious lines. Conservative or Liberal. Christian, Jew, Muslim, or Atheist. Your vote is the target of some desperate faction looking for power.
It is up to you to remain in control of your political representatives. It is up to you to ensure that those factions do not sway you to their side, no matter how right they may sound. It’s up to you, but I’m going to give you some advice on how to know what’s happening and stay in control.
- A faction is any group looking to push an agenda that has only a benefit to them. If it can’t be proven that it’s beneficial to a sizable majority of the population, it’s not worth voting for.
- Those pushing their factional ideas will often use “scare” tactics, inflationary rhetoric, or mis-represented facts in the guise of real facts. If you’re not hearing sources cited for information you’re receiving, it’s not worth voting for.
- Factions can be large or small, a majority or minority. Check out what your hearing from objective sources: read the bill, calculate the cost on your own, ask your neighbors. If you can’t corroborate what you’re hearing, it’s not worth voting for.
Running a republic is no easy feat, but the American People are up to it as long as they keep their head.
Follow your representative or senator through www.govtrack.us. Track the cost of issues you’re concerned about through www.cbo.gov. Above all, remember that this November the people who are in charge of budget, war, taxes — the laws of this land — are going up for reelection. Remember that you’re in charge of them.
Everyone, please start now to get at least 20 other people to commit to voting in November, 2010. If we don’t vote as a group, the factions win.
