I’m dating myself when I admit I learned to type on a manual typewriter. Over and over again, we pounded out the words, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” (It forced us to find all the vowels.)
Maybe truer words were never written, (or painfully typed). Especially now, when civics and one’s civic duty are all but forgotten.
Why, I remember when we had a First Amendment. When thinking for yourself was something to be celebrated. We even taught it in schools! And no one was canceled for their beliefs.
But now our Department of Homeland Security issues bulletins (2/07/2022) against us. They warn about “The convergence of violent extremist ideologies, false or misleading narratives, and conspiracy theories … which sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions.” This same bulletin ends with the words, “If you see something, say something. Report suspicious activity.”
Isn’t that mighty suspicious?
Remember when you could stand on your soapbox and call out the government? When you had the right to be wrong? What happened? And how so fast? Could fear really be that viral?
Remember when doctors and scientists could disagree? We even sought dissenting opinions. And all scientific data could be shared and tested. Now we take away medical licenses. And “science” has a whole new meaning. It’s become a dictator — maybe soon a God.
The word “patriots” has a whole new meaning, too. It now stands for insurrectionists! But I refuse to give up a word I treasure.
For now is the time to be a patriot. To stand up for the Constitution. And due process. To celebrate, not demonize, the free expression of truckers! To join the convoy.
I have friends who don’t want to see what’s happening in Australia and Canada. They worry that they are being watched and monitored. They meekly agree to passports that will do just that. They put their heads down and remain silent, hoping no one will ever come for them. They wait for America to be America again. But will they be able to recognize her?
We also had to type, “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their Party.” It’s time to remember those civics lessons when we were all expected to make our world a better place.
So who is going to save America?
You. You are. You have a chance to start small — right here in Summit County — one neighborhood or precinct at a time. On March 8 start taking back your country. Come to the GOP caucus and choose the kind of candidates who share your beliefs. Who will listen. And who will vote your conscience.
And when you find those candidates, help them, support them, thank them and work for them, especially if they are working for you.
We have 420 precinct positions in Summit County. Many will go unfilled — unless you step up. Do it for your kids. For your grandkids. In the memory of your fathers and grandfathers, your family and friends, who loved America enough to fight for her.
There is more than one Greatest Generation. Many are called.
Come caucus with us at North Summit High, South Summit Middle School or Ecker Hill Middle School on Tuesday, March 8. Check in is from 6-7 p.m., and the meeting begins at 7 p.m.
Come to the aid of your country. And your party!