Twist
I took the day off the day before the Primary Election for 2010. Back in May 2009, I never thought I’d be in this position. THANK YOU to the Tea Parties for making this all a very real possibility, but most of all, thanks to God. The journey is still a mysterious one, and not one that was orchestrated by myself only. This wasn’t my plan. The journey to elected office may end tomorrow at the end of Primary Election Day, or it may continue on a miracle. No question, it will take a miracle to unseat a 24-year long incumbent, especially when there are two other challengers seeking the same thing.
Regardless of what happens tomorrow, there is something very real happening. This is beyond politics and Tea Parties; it involves more of civilization. More people are getting involved. Many are voting for the first time in years. Many understand the subtle differences that would have eluded us in the past. We didn’t wait for someone to educate us, we educated ourselves. As more and more start seeing fallout from the destructive politics that permeated our culture from 9/11/01 until today, we’re becoming more united, even if we don’t know it ourselves.
Granted, destructive politics started way before 2001, but 9/11 was a grand opportunity to take how we all united together and make something special of our country. Instead, we’re doing this as a result of our undoing that started with the bailouts of late 2008. The Tea Parties aren’t going away; in fact, the idea of Tea Parties are appealing to many more people.
This past week there have been attempts to use words from Starve The Feds against me in my campaign, and the attempts have backfired. People smell a rat from a mile away when quotes are taken out of context. Anyone who reads this knows that there is not a single racist statement listed anywhere; in fact, go ahead and try to find one yourself! I will never back down in deference to outside pressure, just as anyone would not allow their minds to be changed forcefully from another person. It seems like conservatives are getting a little sick and tired of being made to feel guilty, or feel pressured, or be intimidated. I won’t let it happen here; especially when everyone has gotten every opportunity to contact me during the campaign. I would have been happy to clarify any ambiguities. If someone who decides to bypass this route and go for the jugular with malicious intent, well I can’t help that.
What I have learned from all this, including the attempts to damage my reputation, is that people will stick together when the cause is noble. People will stick together willingly, when the cause is an unspoken duty and goodwill towards others. Immoral and unethical causes are unified only by force – whether physical (by intimidation), emotional (from having guilt placed on them), or by endurance (where the message is so prevalent, it seems to be not worth fighting against in the public eye anymore).
I am beyond thankful to God, my family, my extremely patient young lady, the Mansfield North Central Ohio Tea Party organization for not only their endorsement but for their insistence to all that we should vote for the person and not the party. Thanks to those I have talked to along the campaign trail in their living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, front porches, and on the sidewalk. You all have taught me the idea of community is still very alive and well, and while we may not agree on every issue, we are truly all in this together. We definitely surround “them”, and not the other way around.
The path to county office may or may not end tomorrow, but I do know that this journey will not end tomorrow regardless of the election results. I’ve gained so much, and I really wish this on everyone to at least give this a try; to have your thoughts and ideas questioned and challenged; to put ourselves out there to lead instead of follow; to put our names on the line for what is truly right and not what is easy; to know that there are still good people in this world, who try hard, and work their collective tail ends off in order to achieve their goals. I consider myself honored to even be considered as a representative for over 120,000 people, and I will never take for granted the hours and days that many have poured forth of their own time, with or without being asked, so that this campaign still had a good chance for a miracle upset of a longtime incumbent that sorely needs to go. I will sleep tonight with renewed hope. The hope that was promised to us in Election Year 2008 never came from our president. It only comes from ourselves. That is what makes us Americans. We refuse to deteriorate voluntarily. I will definitely sleep with renewed hope. Never give in, never give up. Thank you, all of you.