We live in a Democratic Republic. Here's a great tip for making it work for you.
We not only have a vote, but a voice
TGIF TAT readers,
Let’s get right to the point.
Last week, in a post of mine on the LinkedIn platform, I shared an open letter to my congressman about his overt dishonesty, my disappointment in his unethical behavior since being first elected 7 years ago and his willful failure to ignore his congressional oath of office, and his military oath of service. I highly recommend this tactic, as we move forward in this pivotal election year. As a retired soldier, I take his failure to honor these oaths as a sharp, personal insult.
In our democratic republic, we not only have a vote, but a voice as well. Most tend to use one, but not the other. Frankly, due to family tradition, I very rarely exercised my voice prior to the full-frontal assault on our national security, by the Trump/ MAGA crowd. Family tradition said to never discuss politics or religion publicly in order to respect other’s views. This worked just fine for me, especially in professional military and national security settings. Then… Trump and the MAGA crowd, including my congressman, began siding with Vladimir Putin against America, our constitution and our allies.
This is where another family tradition kicked in, “to protect and defend the constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic” as is included in my oath of military service and the oaths of all elected officials. Now, I often write about the assault on our constitution by the Trump era GOP, not for political reasons, but for national security reasons. The most basic point is that today’s GOP is not operating as a political party, but a far-right, extremist movement and professionally, I know a great deal about extremism.
This brings me to the heart of the matter; today’s TAT is food for thought for those that wish to employ the open public letter tactic as well for their elected officials. Today, I will use my Texas 23 Congressman, Tony Gonzalez as the example of employing, the open letter tactic. After all, what’s the point of our First Amendment rights, if we don’t use it?
Here are a couple of recommendations, if you wish for success with your open letter, to a local or regional newspaper or similar opportunity.
Credibility matters
Always source your major points to the most credible of sources. For example, when I write TAT pieces, I always embed links to the most credible sources such as, the National Security Strategy, Statistica, Think Tanks of repute, excellent news sources like USA Today and the AP etc. Those who quote sources like FOX, MSNBC, NewsMax, Breitbart etc. are always ignored immediately, as they should be.
Include a very brief and succinct note about your residency in the district. For example, “I have been a responsible and well-informed resident of TX 23, for 13 years.”
Whether you are objecting to or voicing support for a candidate, put a fine point on the precise issue or series of issues, that you are referencing. Again, please use an embedded link. Below are some examples of sources that would be helpful in demonstrating Tony’s deep commitment to MAGA, not US values.
He voted, without a shred of evidence to support impeaching, both President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas. Today’s MAGA controlled GOP doesn’t care that impeachment is to bring charges, not to go fishing for something to impeach a sitting official over. Tony, like the current version of his party, simply doesn’t care about the constitution he swore to uphold, both in Congress and the military.
House GOP takes party-line vote toward Mayorkas impeachment | AP News
House votes to approve impeachment inquiry into President Biden | AP News
Congressman Tony Gonzales, House GOP Colleagues Urge Removal of Red Flag Law From NDAA | Press Releases | Representative Tony Gonzales
Rep. Tony Gonzales refuses to debate gun policy with Gayle King (houstonchronicle.com)
Until he received enormous pressure from Uvalde parents and families of the shooting victims, he refused to even discuss common-sense gun legislation. Apparently, Tony still has a tiny bit of conscience left because he buckled on voting for legislation after facing in person, grieving angry faces of victims.
Be clear, succinct and personally passionate about your issues. So, in this case I often frame my comments in my family traditions of service to the nation and how I use our founding history and values as my frame of reference, in discussing these hot button issues. For example, I often print a short political disclaimer about my views based on my values, not a political preference. The quote below is how I frame my political views when required in my writing.
My standard disclaimer: I despise big money political parties and see them as an affront to our founders’ dreams, for our “great experiment.” I was raised by a principled, lifelong Democrat father and a lifelong, Republican mother. Both crossed party lines at the ballot box when the facts demanded it. They discussed those issues openly and from a well-informed point of view. I consider myself an “Eisenhower Republican” which today makes me a Joe Biden Democrat or... so “middle-of-the-road” that I am not terribly welcome in either party. This suits me just fine. - Cobaugh
It is important that we don’t allow partisanship to dominate a discussion. In theory, a political party should support our constitution. Today’s GOP supports three things, of which none, represent American values:
My regular criticism of the MAGA GOP is that its claimed values, are fake patriotic values, not American values. When I blast the treasonous approach of the MAGA GOP, it is solely because it sells out true patriotic American values, not the values of the other side of the aisle.
Again, using Tony Gonzalez as my example, I write passionately about how that when he believes no one is looking or following his actions, he always sides with MAGA, not the constitution.
Explain as clearly as possible and in plain language, why you felt compelled to write such a letter at this time and over a specific issue. Most honest folks simply keep their heads down and let the system work, if it is mostly on track. Those same individuals take notice when the system of our democratic republic is being manipulated for evil, such as the aim of most MAGA agenda items.
This is called leading by example. Few people want a demonstrable role in leading, let alone leading over a contentious issue. The problem is, if no one steps up, nothing gets done. Our courageous patriots at Lexington, Concord, the Continental Congress, Bunker Hill (actually Breed’s Hill) and the original “minutemen” put their foot down when morality had been superseded by monarchical excess.
They and their leaders demonstrated in action and in blood, what it means to fight for liberty and equality. Most were reluctant but still honored their beliefs with action. We all have this very American streak of our national identity within us. The only decision is… when and how to act on that streak.
Know how to sum things up or how to close your letter.
No one wants to or often has time to read a whole book. I tend to write longer articles and find that during the week, my readership goes down, only to be revived on Saturday and Sunday mornings, normally over readers’ coffee or tea. People put up with this because they want to hear the truth based on expertise. Sometimes and as regular TAT readers understand, telling the truth cannot be done in soundbites, but must be carefully explained and referenced. If you have a relatively lower, public profile within your community, begin with a bit shorter letter and with experience and exposure, you can add length that better explains the details of your opinions.
Our First Amendment to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of being an American. These rights belong to every American and have been the bedrock of democracy since the early Greeks, or longer. Free Speech is priceless to those who embrace our true national values. We are endowed with the right to support, protest, seek redress etc. Why should we ignore this?
Tragically, like the proverbial, “squeaky wheel getting the grease,” it is the loud-mouthed anti-patriots that get most of the attention. One key to success is to enlist enough supporters to act with you, in order to mask the perpetual, dishonest noise from the MAGA crowd.
As the old saying goes, “if you don’t vote, don’t complain about the outcome of an election.” The same goes for defending the principles of American styled democracy. It should come as no surprise then, that principled left and right, debating honestly produces honest compromise and the unified pursuit of our future. The problem now is that the right is the extreme right and couldn’t find truth in a dictionary. Their ideology is made up out of pure fantasy, built on a foundation of conspiracy theories and narrated by fake patriots and conservatives.
So long as principled debate stays within our constitutional guardrails and can be supported as reality rather than a MAGA styled conspiracy theory, those ideas belong in the public square, with the same from the left and other political beliefs.
Your opinion matters, not just those of the loudest, crudest and outside of our constitutional guardrails. Those like Tony Gonzalez, who supports the GOP’s un-American agenda is outside of our constitutional guardrails’ and must be held accountable in that same public square. I don’t know about you, but I was raised on a lot of old, wise sayings. One of my favorites goes something like this: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.
Tony and his MAGA GOP have been brainwashing and fooling their GOP constituents for decades. FOX media and their ilk have been the pied pipers of reframing the definition of patriotism and American values. Shame on you if you’ve fallen for them. No worries though, the public square is still open, and you can redeem your patriotism by dismissing the propaganda and engaging in truth. Those who support truth with the open public letter tactic, are not only helping their neighbors but rebuilding our foundation of sacred democratic principles.
Finally, and most important, don’t just complain but offer positive recommendations. This makes you part of the process for good, not just a complainer. We all have ideas, and they all matter so long as, they are built on common sense and facts.
We need that foundation more than ever this year, and always will so long as we retain our founders’ dreams for the republic. Please participate with your voices and give substance to those dreams. It’s truly, the American way.
My very best for your weekend,
Paul