Helping people realize they matter
Over the past few days, I've spoken with many people who have listened politely, and then made some comment to the effect of, "But I'm only one person. I don't count for much."
I've heard others say something similar, especially when it comes to encouraging them to vote. "I'm only one vote, and one vote doesn't make a difference".
One person DOES make a difference. In fact, that is the ONLY thing that makes a difference, is each individual.
I believe we need to encourage our society that the individual IS important, and that we, as a collective group of individuals, have the ability to impact change.
"Change". That's been the buzzword this year, hasn't it? Everybody seems to be clamoring for "change", from every soapbox and in every stump-speech. But humans don't like "change". We tend to be creatures of habit. Think about it...many would prefer to remain in an uncomfortable or unfavorable position, place or relationship, rather than face the unknown that comes with "change".
Is that why we are where we are? Let's look at the state of Iowa. For the past x-number of years, we've had a Democrat-controlled governor's office. For the past 2 years, we've also had a state legislature that is strongly controlled by the same party. And are people happy with what has come out of the state capitol for the past two years? Not by a long shot. We've managed to whittle and chip away at individual rights and liberties. We've managed to fritter away tax dollars, and expand spending. We narrowly averted the forcing of workers to support ideas and causes that were against their beliefs. We forced business owners to comply with a state mandate that, for some, has driven their business revenues down.
What has happened to "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain"?
I, for one, am not ready to simply hand our state motto over to be revamped without a fight. Yes, I'm an individual, and yes, I CAN make a difference. So can YOU.
I had the honor of meeting with about 20 college-aged students last night. Talk about energy! Talk about personal accountability! These people KNOW that they can make a difference as an individual, as well as collectively. They understand that is starts with one person. They realize that each and every person really DOES make a difference, be it as a volunteer, as a campaign staffer, as a door-knocker, as a caller, or even 'just' when they show up to cast their ballot.
This nation is made up of a group of individuals who work toward the common good. But it is not "them", it is "us".
Remember your basic history classes...."We, the people...". Well, YOU are one of the "we, the people". Without you, it isn't "we", it's "them". And I'm pretty sure the Constitution doesn't start with, "Them, those people over there...."
Maybe that is the biggest calling of this campaign....to help people realize that "we" really do matter, as an individual. And "we" really need every single one of "you" to decide that it really IS time for a change.
Vote for change. Vote for Voorhees for State House.
And that, my friends, is my two cents worth today.
--Larry Voorhees
I've heard others say something similar, especially when it comes to encouraging them to vote. "I'm only one vote, and one vote doesn't make a difference".
One person DOES make a difference. In fact, that is the ONLY thing that makes a difference, is each individual.
I believe we need to encourage our society that the individual IS important, and that we, as a collective group of individuals, have the ability to impact change.
"Change". That's been the buzzword this year, hasn't it? Everybody seems to be clamoring for "change", from every soapbox and in every stump-speech. But humans don't like "change". We tend to be creatures of habit. Think about it...many would prefer to remain in an uncomfortable or unfavorable position, place or relationship, rather than face the unknown that comes with "change".
Is that why we are where we are? Let's look at the state of Iowa. For the past x-number of years, we've had a Democrat-controlled governor's office. For the past 2 years, we've also had a state legislature that is strongly controlled by the same party. And are people happy with what has come out of the state capitol for the past two years? Not by a long shot. We've managed to whittle and chip away at individual rights and liberties. We've managed to fritter away tax dollars, and expand spending. We narrowly averted the forcing of workers to support ideas and causes that were against their beliefs. We forced business owners to comply with a state mandate that, for some, has driven their business revenues down.
What has happened to "Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain"?
I, for one, am not ready to simply hand our state motto over to be revamped without a fight. Yes, I'm an individual, and yes, I CAN make a difference. So can YOU.
I had the honor of meeting with about 20 college-aged students last night. Talk about energy! Talk about personal accountability! These people KNOW that they can make a difference as an individual, as well as collectively. They understand that is starts with one person. They realize that each and every person really DOES make a difference, be it as a volunteer, as a campaign staffer, as a door-knocker, as a caller, or even 'just' when they show up to cast their ballot.
This nation is made up of a group of individuals who work toward the common good. But it is not "them", it is "us".
Remember your basic history classes...."We, the people...". Well, YOU are one of the "we, the people". Without you, it isn't "we", it's "them". And I'm pretty sure the Constitution doesn't start with, "Them, those people over there...."
Maybe that is the biggest calling of this campaign....to help people realize that "we" really do matter, as an individual. And "we" really need every single one of "you" to decide that it really IS time for a change.
Vote for change. Vote for Voorhees for State House.
And that, my friends, is my two cents worth today.
--Larry Voorhees
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