As April 15 rolls around two things come to mind.
1) The Federal Income Tax
2) Tax Day Tea Party's
Both have significance. But both are leaving me feeling helpless.
As we gather to rail against the powers that be, I can't help but think that we are missing a great opportunity. When I went to my first tea party rally in March 2009, I definitely saw the potential.
True there were only about 75 people on the side of a busy road in Orlando. But that one was soon followed by a much larger one that had many thousands in attendance.
I hadn't seen that much enthusiasm in quite a while. But more importantly these were crowds turning out with very little organization from the top. Nothing more than a few people exchanging email lists.
And as the year progressed, there were more rallies, meetings, and finally trips to Washington, D.C.
Much good has been accomplished, yet I still feel that we are consigning ourselves to just 'call your congressman' mode.
How I wish that instead of going to feel good events, sometimes traveling for hours and spending hundred's of dollars, we could know what the pro's know.
Namely, if you want power, you run for office. Granted that some brave patriots step forward and begin a campaign for US Congress. This is admirable, but as someone once said, 'First sit down and count the cost.'
Do some investigating and you will find that congressional races routinely cost millions of dollars to win. That is clearly out of our price range or fund raising ability.
But as I have studied the available options, I did what most novices do: Watch what the experts suggest and recommend.
Without exception they have told me, run for local office or your state legislature. This is the equivalent of playing college ball before you go to the pro's.
I've also had the pleasure of talking to many local & state officials. Besides giving me a chance to let them know how I would like them to vote, I've gotten to have many off-the-record conversations.
The subject that I would always broach is 'how did you win your election.' Again without exception they say start small and build a grassroots force.
Here's the bottom line. Either you run for office OR you help someone that is running.
How I wish all the folks traveling to D.C. or spending hours standing in a public park would consider how much impact they would have if that same time and money went towards electing one of our own.
Nick Egoroff
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