(L to R: Frank Pennington, Brian Eakin, and Walter Holm)
My participation in a recent Surge Day at the Michigan capitol was an eye-opening social experience.
Most people who are private citizens with a family, house, and bills to pay are insulated from the government process and the people who work in those positions. Their view of the politician is shaped by image profilers and media editors both sympathetic and antagonistic to their political position.
Given these roadblocks to a clear understanding of the person behind the business suit and TV persona, it is important to meet face to face and have a cordial and personal discussion about issues you find important to your future pursuit of happiness.
People who take the time out of their day to meet with a representative or senator will find a fallible human being with a passion to make a difference in the lives of the people they represent. They also have a strong belief that their moral code and common-sense approach to life would be a blessing if adopted by all citizens. I believe this to be a realistic interpretation of a person who places their personal life in the court of public opinion and has spent hours of their life in the company of people they disagree with on an intellectual or moral level yet still wishes to pursue the job of legislation.
During my visit with one of the legislative assistants for my representative, I found a pleasant and cordial individual who listened to my views on a number of subjects. The meeting was called for the purpose of discussing Convention of States but many moral and legal points of interest became part of the discussion. During the time I spent with the assistant, I felt a sense of respectful debate on subjects we differed on and a willingness to support my position with reasoning developed from their time in halls of government.
The most important takeaway I have from this experience is that there is a patriotic need for us to be involved with our government. A discussion with the people who work for and represent you as a sovereign member of the State of Michigan can be a conversation between two people that are defined by the preamble to the Federal Constitution.
As a sovereign man or woman, it is a discussion between equal members of this great country. As a citizen talking with a representative, your views carry more weight than the elected official while they are acting in that role.
