Just over a week ago the liberty community was waiting with baited breath as Massachusetts voters took the fate of the nation in their hands and cast their votes in a special senatorial election. Fifty-two out of every hundred voted for Scott Brown and by nine o’clock that night the word was in – Brown had painted a loud smear of red across a state that was considered pure blue. The second American Revolution was on.
As much as I appreciate the people of Massachusetts (have you noticed that, unlike Martha Coakley, I can spell the state’s name?) and admire Brown and his advisors for running a smart and effective campaign, I have become too jaded by what I’ve seen in the past to trust Brown or any other politician. Almost from the moment I watched him take the podium last Tuesday night I started composing a letter in my head that would set a few things straight with Mr. Brown. Considering some of the discussions and observations of the past week, I think it’s time to put that letter down on paper, or at least out in electrons.
Dear Mr. Brown,
Congratulations on recognizing the most important political trend of the decade, the liberty movement, and hitching your wagon to our excellent team of horses. Though I suspect you do not agree with much of what we stand for (your yes vote for Romney care was our first clue), you were wise enough to at least pretend you do. My advice for you is that you keep right on pretending. You also might want to start incorporating some of those principles and values into your own value system, as well as your speeches. I noticed that your acceptance speech last Tuesday night was long on “I” and “me” and rather short on specifics of political philosophy. I suggest you immerse yourself in the study of the fundamental positions of our nation’s founders took regarding limited government, states’ rights and fiscal and personal responsibility and anchor yourself with that document in which they incorporated those values and principles – the Constitution. Though I understand the Constitution repels most of the current congress like garlic repels vampires, you might want to make like marinara sauce and add as much garlic as you can. To use a well-known radio talk show host’s famous dictum, learn it, love it, live it.
Going along with this, I suggest you pay close attention to any communication you receive from well-informed and thoughtful constituents. You’ll know who they are – they’ll know the names and numbers of pending legislation, might include some important facts and data and will display an overall tone of honest concern for this country and the direction it is taking. Save your form letters for the many communications you will receive from those who want you to do something for them; save your energy for those who want you to do (or not do) something for the country. Engage those citizens who offer you well-informed commentary and put forth workable and creative solutions. Recognize that Congress is not the only place things get done – in fact, it is probably the last place things get done, at least wise and helpful things. Honor the hard-working and innovative people of this country who make it work and make it your mission to allow their voices to join the public discourse. The frustration felt by the middle class, go-to citizens who make this country run is reasonable and real. Acknowledge that and do everything in your power to alleviate it. Give a voice to the truly voiceless – Mr. and Mrs. Good American.
If you are busy listening to the people who make this country work you won’t have much time to listen to your party bosses and that’s a very good thing. Perhaps you could make this your inner manta – “People and principles over party.” Repeat that every time you stand in from of a mirror to shave or brush your teeth. Have a little sign made up and place it on your desk. Scroll it across the bottom of your emails. The false dichotomy that is the two-party system doesn’t leave much room for all the other points of view out there and it certainly doesn’t leave much room to diverge from politics as usual. How about if you try the politics of the unusual? If you think it can’t be done I have two words for you – Ron Paul. I suggest you talk to Mr. Paul and ask him how he has managed to be re-elected time after time while carving his own niche within the House of Representatives. We need more Ron Pauls – those men and women who have developed a foundational philosophy of governance by which they stand no matter what. Build your own foundation, Mr. Scott, and stand upon it. Even if it does not include all the building materials we might have used we will respect you for your integrity.
Don’t get too caught up in your current superstar status Mr. Brown. Celebrities, be they in entertainment, business or politics, tend to fade when the next Lady Gaga comes along. Enjoy your current popularity but do so with a sense of humor and a sense that this is a temporary state thrust upon you by superficial circumstances and shallow people. Remember where you came from and keep yourself grounded in reality. Appreciate the earnest and sincere among your staff and your constituents and turn to them for advice and guidance. Remember your religious principles and use them to help direct your course. I believe you are a Christian so I encourage you to follow the example of Jesus Christ in his interactions with people: teach rather than dictate and serve the people who gave you the gift of higher office with humility and thankfulness. Never forget why you are there.
And that brings me to my last point – never forget how you got there. Sure, there are plenty of factors in your electoral victory but the most important one is this – the foot soldiers in the liberty movement got you elected. First they recognized and capitalized on their own and their fellow citizens’ dissatisfaction with the federal and state governments. Then they started meeting, learning, rallying, writing, organizing, questioning and working to change things. They had a near-miss in the NY-23 special election but learned from experience. You, Mr. Brown, reaped the rewards of this newly active and savvy group of ordinary citizens doing extraordinary things. I’m not convinced that your election was a victory for liberty but I am convinced it was a victory for the liberty movement. After months of being ignored, minimized and mocked we showed ourselves a force to be reckoned with. I will repeat here my favorite Ghandi quote – “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win.”
We won in Massachusetts and we plan on winning in many other states. Though they are not admitting it, politicians are now looking over their shoulders for those big yellow Gadsden flags. They should be – and so should you, Mr. Brown. Because we put you where you are and we can send you home. Be very careful and, whatever you do, don’t tread on us.
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