It's a Movement :: Forward

Posted by Jacob Roecker on April 26, 2009 under Updates | 2504 Comments to Readhttp://912candidates.org/blog/2009/04/26/its-a-movement-forward/It%26%2339%3Bs+a+Movement+%3A%3A+Forward2009-04-27+04%3A11%3A26Jacob+Roecker

There’s over half a million people out there trying to figure out how to use these 9 principles and 12 values to start making a difference in our world.  Some of them have no time, and are making the effort to teach these things in their homes.  Others are looking to use these principles and values as an opening to discussing a cool new buzzword:  Constitutional Conservative.  All of these things are good.  This is exactly what a movement should look like.  If you’re in a tea party group or a 9/12 group you’re probably working to identify your platform and define your goals.  Keep going, but don’t finalize anything just yet.

I would like to offer this advice:  Think your group’s goals through.  What happens when you work hard for “term limits” and then you get them?  Make sure you organize yourselves in broad terms, and always, always, always accept new ideas from people.  There was some conversation at the beginning of this about sending in a tea bag to the white house on Tax Day.  Well, someone came up with a better idea.  Aren’t you glad they did?  800 tea parties across the country!  You don’t know when the next great idea will hit.  Give everyone in your group a responsibility so they can feel like they’re contributing.  This will keep them active.  Please consider giving someone in your group THIS site as their responsibility.  Things here are changing!

I had some interesting conversations this week.  I’ve talked with folks who’ve been organizing a database of voting records for their state, and comparing the records to the constitution.  Their hope is to create a website that actually functions as a report card for their representatives.

Gee, we can do this with site’s like Angie’s List, why not do it with our government?  It makes sense!  Now the average citizens are banding together to track exactly how they’ve been represented in government.  Though I applaud the report card, and have great respect for the people putting it together, I don’t have that much time to organize something like that here.  What I am finding is that there is a need to decentralize this project–it should function at a state level, with a guided national umbrella.

Earlier this week I emailed everyone on the Facebook group the plan to decentralize.  I need people to stand up and create lists of their state’s representatives, set up specific letters for each candidate, and put out a blog/email once a week telling people who to target in their letters.  It doesn’t all have to happen in a day, but it does need to start happening.  I’m taking volunteers from 49 states to help me put this together.  If you know someone in your 9/12 or tea party group that doesn’t have a responsibility yet, pass along my email address to them:  jacob ((at)) roeckerfam.com.

You’ll notice I said 49 states:  I’ve already got an administrator in Washington.  Florida is already set up–just needs an admin!  Your state could be next, if you’re willing to step forward.

On the national level:

This week we’re targeting one of my favorite national political figures:  Governor Sarah Palin.  Round 2 of the postcards appear below.  Clicking on the candidates’ names will link you to their website.  Use the phone numbers they list to leave a message.

Remember folks:  When this nation was established it wasn’t a king that granted us our rights to self government.  It was “WE THE PEOPLE.”  We banded together, and granted to one another, the right to govern our fellow human beings.  Now is the time to stand up.  YOU are the right person for the job.  Every generation has to do this, and now it’s your turn.  How would you like history to remember you?