The Power is in the Hands of the People
I have reprinted the text of an email I received yesterday from the campaign of Sarah Steelman who is running for Governor of Missouri. I have reproduced the email here, not so much as a campaign function, but with the thought in mind that this blog site gives me the opportunity to post material that is rarely seen in the MSM. I felt Sarah’s words were so meaningful that they should be shared with our readers.
~~John Cronin~~
Dear Friends,
On this last Sunday before the election I wanted to take a minute to discuss some of the values issues that are so important to me, and so important to many of you. I was prompted to write by a comment at a stop on the tour from a gentleman who said just remember who is in charge and pointed up. And I told him that whatever we do here whether in our jobs or for our families or in our lives it should be based on those things eternal because that is what is lasting.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11:1, “Now FAITH is the substance of things HOPED for, the evidence of things unseen.” Our founding fathers had tremendous faith and they relied on God to guide them through the birth of our nation. They had a vision of this great country of ours. They believed that as long as we restricted the power of government allowing people to be free to pursue their hearts and their dreams that this nation would flourish.
As you all know, Ronald Reagan, inspired me as he did many of you. I am reminded of his description of American in his State of Union speech in 1988:
“Well, these ideas were part of a larger notion - a vision, if you will, of America herself - an America not only rich in opportunity for the individual but an America, too, of strong families and vibrant neighborhoods, an America whose divergent but harmonizing communities were a reflection of a deeper community of values - the value of work, of family, of religion - and of the love of freedom that God places in each of us and whose defense He has entrusted in a special way to this nation.
All of this was made possible by an idea I spoke of when Mr. Gorbachev was here - the belief that the most exciting revolution ever known to humankind began with three simple words: “We the People” - the revolutionary notion that the people grant government its rights, and not the other way around.”
That is the kind of America I believe in - where the power is in the hands of the people.
The choices our leaders make matter because it reflects our values as a people. As a Christian, I believe that God gives each and everyone of us life and a purpose. That is why we must protect and respect life from the unborn to the sick and elderly. Every single life, in God’s eyes has infinite value. Family is the cornerstone of our society and it starts with honoring marriage. That’s why I wrote the amendment to our constitution defining marriage between one man and one woman. And it’s why I will always fight for smaller government, so that the real power rests where it should, with you and your family.
But most importantly, we fight for the reasons our founders fought. For our God-given rights to life, to liberty, and to pursue those destinies that He places in all of our hearts. We fight so that this beautiful state and nation we love, under God, will stand strong — so that our children and our children’s’ children may know even greater blessings than we have known. So that they can be all God creates them to be. Those things are eternal.
And finally, God asks us to put others first, to love your neighbor as yourself, to walk the extra mile, to do more than what is expected. As a believer, that is what is asked of us, and that is what I will always strive for no matter what job I do.
Tonight I want to thank you for your support and humbly ask for your prayers for my family. Tomorrow we put in our final day of campaigning before Tuesday’s primary. Thank you for your support and your willingness to fight for the principles of conservatism and the values we hold dear.
Your friend,
Sarah
Paid for by Friends of Steelman, Stephen Gaunt, Treasurer
August 5th, 2008 at 12:15 am
John, I all take that with a grain of salt. As you well know, people will say anything to get a vote. I live in Missouri and I’m still very undecided about either Steelman or Hulshoff. There are things I dislike about both of them. I’m having a difficult time figuring out who is really the most conservative of the two. Any suggestions?
August 6th, 2008 at 12:28 am
I don’t live in Missouri and I don’t know what those two are like but whether she believes in those words or not doesn’t matter. Do you believe in those words? Will you hold her up to those words? Has she proven herself to you and other people that she is willing to not just say those words but live those words? I know that this is late in the making. The election is probably already decided by now.
Every one, whether or not they believe is one thing. Do we the people believe? That is the most important thing. Are we willing to get out of our comfort zone this election and hold our politicians to the fire not just in the election year but every day of our lives and every day that they occupy a public office? Do we have what it takes to be our own leaders? Can we keep going and trying different approaches while they try the same thing and fail every time (remember Einsteins definition of insanity).
This question that you ask was what a lot of people asked during the republican primary for President. Yet I don’t believe this is the most important to ask.
It all boils down to a question. Are you going to ask “Who is more conservative” or are you going to ask “Am I conservative enough to stand up for my beliefs?”
Jon, you have a right to ask what question you want to ask but just realize that the power comes from you. It does indeed come from “We the people.”
August 6th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Sarah,
I have only met Sarah Steelman once and she came across as very credible. Beyond that, I simply have to take her at her word.
She did stop payment on a $70,000 check that was being issued in a sexual harassment case involving a state official. She felt that the proper procedures had not been followed, so she bucked some very powerful politicians in not allowing the payment to be made. She felt she was protecting the taxpayer’s interests.
She also wants to reform some Missouri ethics laws that allow sitting legislators to be paid campaign consultants for other legislators. She also wants to reform the law that allows legislators to benefit from their own legislation, in this case, members of the MO. Congress who own grain farms, voting for state mandates for ethanol use in our gasoline blends.
To answer your question: Do I believe in those words in her email? Yes. I have seen it with my own eyes over the course of the last year. If the voters do not get involved with the process, then the special interests win by default. Please don’t think that I am lumping all special interests together as bad for the country. Some of them do wonderful work for the good of the country and of course, some of them are only interested in getting richer at the taxpayer’s expense. But if the voters are involved, you CAN change things. Two important examples: 1. Immigration—In Missouri we crafted one of the toughest immigration enforcement bills in the country. Not the Federal Gov’t, we did it in Missouri because we got fed up with the eternal dithering in Washington. 2. Domestic Oil Drilling—Nancy Pelosi and her crowd will gladly let us twist in the breeze and do nothing to help drive down the cost of gasoline for the poor and middle class. Again,. we didn’t wait for Congress to take action, we forced them to. The incumbents know what awaits them in November if they sell us out on this.
In closing, let me say that I do believe in those words spoken by Ronald Reagan.
“We the People” - the revolutionary notion that the people grant government its rights, and not the other way around.”