Freedom First Society

Congress

The path to an accountable Congress

The obstacles to controlling Congress can be overcome by a well planned and organized grassroots effort. In December 1792, James Madison argued:

“Although all men are born free, and all nations might be so, yet too true it is, that slavery has been the general lot of the human race. Ignorant — they have been cheated; asleep — they have been surprised; divided — the yoke has been forced upon them. But what is the lesson? That because the people may betray themselves, they ought to give themselves up, blindfold, to those who have an interest in betraying them? Rather conclude that the people ought to be enlightened, to be awakened, to be united, that after establishing a government they should watch over it as well as obey it.”

The Action Is Not in “Political Action”

Too many concerned Americans, not realizing what they are up against, place all their hopes in the illusive quick fix of partisan political action.

However, political action directed properly at the House of Representatives — the people’s House — is surprisingly ineffective if a representative’s constituents are not first informed, organized, and activated. Without an informed electorate, political action generally accomplishes little more than exchanging one socialist (or opportunist) for another.

Fortunately, experience has shown that roughly 1,000 informed, organized activists in a congressional district can enlighten sufficient public opinion to change the political climate in favor of constitutional government and overcome the influence of Establishment Insiders.

The Example of Larry McDonald

Almost all politicians today betray the people by promising what they cannot deliver. They promise to fix things in Washington if only they and their party are handed control of the executive and legislative branches. In contrast, the late Congressman Larry McDonald argued that building an educational base must precede real political gains.

The political career of Lawrence Patton McDonald, M.D. (first elected as a Democrat in Georgia’s 7th district in 1974) demonstrates that a congressman can vote to uphold the Constitution — in spite of his party leadership. Several conservative indices rated McDonald’s voting record at 100 percent, because he consistently voted against unconstitutional spending and for lower taxes.

A principled stand in today’s climate may not win the favor of uninformed, deceived voters. But Congressman McDonald demonstrated that standing on principle was not the kiss of death, even in the face of strong opposition from the Establishment and the leadership of both major political parties, provided there was organized informed support back home.

The Bottom Line

Overcoming the subversive influences that now dominate most of Congress is no easy job. But then neither is preserving freedom. Our Founding Fathers merely gave future Americans the path — the House of Representatives — for bringing the federal government under control.

What America needs is for a relatively small group of concerned Americans [see Organize for Victory!] to inform themselves and organize to change the political climate in a core of congressional districts.

Even 70 districts solidly in the constitutional column would start to tip the balance in Congress away from the liberal, big-government direction and bolster that movement in many more districts. A majority (218) of representatives voting to uphold the Constitution would ensure that America reverses course and begins to dismantle Big Brother and restore the American dream.

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