The Third Cup

We must remain diligent

Hi neighbors. Halloween and the elections are both over. Now we just have to live with the results -- as scary as they may be! How many of you stayed up most of Tuesday night watching the little red and blue states on the television? I watched till almost 3 a.m. By then the news reporters were starting to talk with a mumble and I had acquired blurry vision.

No matter who you wanted to win, the best news of this election was the number of people who voted. Lots of people waited in line for hours to cast their ballots. Although I didn't have to wait in line, I would have done so if that had been the only way to vote.

No vote is ever wasted! If the person you voted for didn't win, your vote still says you made a choice, you made a point to have your choice registered. For everyone who voted -- you did good! But our duty doesn't stop with voting. With the country clearly divided on many major issues, it's every citizen's duty to voice their opinion to their senators and representatives about what they want.

It is a confusing time within the United States. Some feel the government has fallen under the sway of radicals. Others warn that the lack of balance in the Legislative Branch of the government will hamper representation of moderate and independent Americans.

There are some who fear a president with radical voices ringing in his ears will appoint radically conservative Supreme Court judges. If so, those choices could change America's basic way of life for decades to come.

The three branches of our government were designed to keep each other in check. The system should work. The system MUST work!

And we, the people, are the ones most responsible to keep it working.

A democracy must uphold the rights and interests of the "Average Joe and Jane" as well as those of minorities. The same civil rights that give radical minorities a voice in government must protect the rights of the majority as well. Maybe we should individually define the difference between "conservative," "liberal" and "radical." A heavy responsibility has always been on the Senate, House of Representatives and on the Supreme Court to keep American laws fair and balanced. Each man and woman elected or appointed to these offices has a duty to research the consequences of laws they pass. They must then search their own hearts and minds and do what they consider right.

After all we elect people not parties. We have to hope we've elected brave and true people who will stand up for what is best for America and not be swayed by peer pressure, outside influences, lobbyists, or even international opinion. They must be at their posts daily to speak and to vote.

That is their clear duty. Our clear duty is to communicate to them our opinions and our reasons for having those opinions. It is also our duty to know what they are doing and why.

Is it a time to be afraid of the direction America is taking? Does a radically conservative religious minority have the President's ear? We have all seen what happens to countries where any one radical group (particularly a radical religious group) takes over. Is that going to happen here? Can that happen here?

Actually, it can and does happen anywhere. It could happen here. All that is required is a lack of interest by the public. Even a short term "turning away" from the main issues can result in things getting out of control.

How long does it take to have a billfold stolen from a shopping cart? One glance away, one moment of carelessness. As important as billfolds are, they are nothing compared to individual rights being pilfered one at a time.

President Bush is only a man, but a powerful man carrying a very heavy burden. Let's hope he is very mindful of whom he shares packages of that burden with.

The individual rights of Americans -- to have a job that pays enough to feed their family, to enjoy a life free of oppression and fear, to know that they can go to a doctor when sick, to look forward to an affordable retirement, to be able to speak their minds without getting put in jail branded a potential terrorist, -- these rights define the American lifestyle.

Most importantly to protect all the other rights, Americans have the right to chose their leaders, lawgivers, and world representatives.

Until the next time friends remember: America belongs to us, the American people. Don't turn your back for a minute and let someone, anyone, walk away with it.

Be mindful, be diligent, be American.