The Preamble to our Constitution begins with three simple words, four syllables, two pronouns and an article:

"We the people"

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and other “rebels” risked life and limb to secure the blessing of freedom we call liberty.  Under cover of darkness, Thomas Paine's Crisis Papers were pressed, one sheet at a time.  Our progenitors began with a simple idea, a government for the people by the people.

These great men began the grandest experiment known to man, Democracy.  Over two hundred years after the first shots were fired in the Revolutionary War, we have become apathetic and disengaged.  We go about our daily lives; unconcerned and uninvolved in the political change that constantly re-shapes our lives.  Americans now fill their role in the experiment as test subjects rather than researchers. 

Yesterday, at noon, the skies over Baton Rouge became a somewhat brighter.  Our new Gov. Bobby Jindal took the oath of office.  Before he was able to utter the words, “I do solemnly swear”, the political pundits were making predictions as to the success or failure of his ethics reform package.  The all-knowing media personalities debated how a Republican Governor would work with a Democratic House and Senate.  Despite years of experience, the most crucial aspect of the equation was forgotten:

"We the people"

Corruption is seen as a part of Government in Louisiana.  It is a sport.  Citizens swerve around deception like a pothole on the I-10 and just keep going.  While I have great faith in Bobby Jindal, he cannot do it alone.

I graduated from LSU recently.  Over three quarters of my classmates were native born Louisianans.  Few from my graduating class still reside in the state.  As politicians divert public funds to pet projects and brother-in-law deals, the infrastructure and the citizenry suffer.  Corruption and waste in our state government deters businesses from locating in Louisiana.  Our young people are moving on to greener pastures.  They left to escape the tax burden and to provide a decent education for their children.  They left to escape the traffic and cratered roadways.  We are losing our best and brightest to neighboring states. 

We have two options, Louisiana:

  Either we can sit idle or we can stand-up and demand change.  We can call our State Representatives and let them know the status quo is not good enough.  Tell your elected officials that you have had enough. 

I have had enough.

Maybe you haven't?  We, the people, could control this country.  We have the power to make as we see fit.  Until we become an active citizenry, the politicians have no incentive to change.  We are fundamental part of the equation.  The relationship is linear.  The less you pay attention to the problem, the worse it becomes. 

It is time that we, the people, restored order and honesty to our system.  Few Americans bother to vote three or four times a year.  Even fewer care to see what their local municipalities and State offices are doing with their money.  We are the ultimate check in the series of checks and balances.  When we stop checking, the whole system becomes imbalanced. 

Take a moment to save the numbers of your state and federal representatives in your cell phone.  When you find yourself at a dead stop on the I-12 or waiting for you little one to finish up at soccer practice, pick up your phone and call.  When you see your elected official misbehaves, remind them you are watching.  Tell them to support ethics reform or be prepared to go job-hunting next election cycle. 

But no one listens to me

-Patriotic Progeny

Posted:01/15/08