When thinking about the frequently quoted comment from Benjamin Franklin following the Constitutional Convention –  “A republic, if you can keep it” – I am inclined to argue that we are closer to losing this republic than we are to preserving it. Debates on this point could go on for some time, so I am going to assume I am correct and move right to offering a solution.

Recognizing that a solution is “the means to solve a problem or deal with a difficult situation”, it is fair to define what I see as the problem.

We have a multitude of social problems that could prove to be our downfall. That has always been true and will continue to be so. We have a population that has proven vulnerable to disinformation and outright lies; one that is often committed to defending their hastily conceived support of any issue with all the fervor of warriors in the throes of battle and sadly, we have a largely incompetent representation in government seemingly incapable of guiding our path with a caring and stern demeanor.

One side of the self-absorbed city built on a swamp that has given itself dominion over us is set on ignoring all that has made us both powerful and benevolent in order to sell our nation as an evil place to all who will listen.

The other half of that cultural bog consists of a membership that is largely timid, ambivalent and even fearful in the face of the opposition party and a relentlessly hateful and deceitful media incapable of critical thinking or factual journalism. Yet, they can readily deliver aggressive rhetoric at election time in order to preserve their office and the intoxicating perks it can deliver.

Economy, energy, education, immigration, infrastructure, borders, security, foreign relations, racial harmony, corrupt courts and intelligence agencies; so many targets and so little time.

In 1994 republicans campaigned on what they called “The Contract with America”. They achieved a congressional turn over, but nothing they spoke about transpired in a meaningful way or stayed around for long. It said:

(Some grand rhetoric, but once again with ZERO outcome. However, then speaker Newt Gingrich became famous and makes a bundle writing books and yapping on TV)

So here we are, hoping for something new to happen while we vote for the same old thing. Out of 213 republicans in congress 173 refuse to become part of the conservative Freedom Caucus. But there they sit, term after term doing little to preserve our republic. Oh, how we love incumbents!

Still, I believe we the people are the future if we will only accept our destiny and answer the call. In so doing we can once again deliver hope and positive innovations not only at home, but to the rest of the world. To do so we must (once again) learn to believe in ourselves and recognize that the answer does not lie in Washington DC. The answer falls to the holders of the truth – the AMERICAN PEOPLE – and it yearns for our action. IT BEGS FOR YOUR ACTION!

It can’t be done overnight and it can’t be done at all by people waiting for others to act.

So, what I am urging people to join in is an effort to vet people running for office and, if they can be true to their word, support them on a course of correction before we lose it all. I see this as a realistic contract proposal based on easy-to-follow basics. My proposal is a simple five-point plan that we can put to every candidate who is asking us to send them to congress in 2022. It won’t take much effort to print out these points to deliver to your local precinct captain or county Republican Party chairman to use in the process of vetting incumbents and challengers.

An even better approach would be to deliver them orally during an open meeting so it is on record as to how local leaders respond. If they are afraid to ask your local representative or if that person is afraid to respond, the answer to how they feel is clear. If incumbents or challengers are faced with answering in public, their intentions will also be clear.

It follows:

(And just for good measure, let’s drop this censure and contempt of congress crap since it apparently means absolutely nothing!)

In considering whether or not this is the year that you will step up and act on behalf of our country’s future by becoming more active, take a moment to think about these words from Winston Churchill:

If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without bloodshed, if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival.

There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.”

One last question: ​“Is this the year you get involved?”

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Today’s Guest Opinion is written by Jim Boyer, the Panhandle Pundit; a life long ski bum and realistic environmentalist, retired building contractor and long time property rights advocate. Speech writer, marketing specialist in demographic targeting, public speaker –  has worked on local state political campaigns and held local public office.

Featured photo was provided by Jim Boyer for use in this article. All rights reserved.