Good Evening, fellow Citizens!
Thank you for taking the time from your busy schedules to join us today at the Griffin Taxed Enough Already TEA Party Tax Rally.
For the past several months, and over the course of these few days in April, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Americans who are sick and tired of a Washington elite who are completely out of touch with “the real America”.
Who is the “Real” America?
It is those of us the popular media have begun to call “Main Street America”; people like you and me, from small towns and rural areas, from our nation’s cities and suburbs, we who form the very backbone – the very heart – of these United States.
Who is the “Real” America?
WE are the ones who are now to bear the enormous load of nearly unimaginable debt.
Who is the “Real” America?
WE are -- as the parents and grandparents and great-grandparents of children who will be forced to carry the inconceivable amount of debt with which our Congress has burdened them.
Who is the “Real” America?
We are -- the ones who have toiled away throughout the years, trying to live within our means, trying to make it from this week’s paycheck to next week’s payday.
Who is the “Real” America?
We are – the ones who have tried to make a little something of ourselves and for our families.
WE are the ones who will now bear the unearned and unwanted back-breaking debt of those who did not choose to live by those same ideals.
For years, fiscally conservative Americans have called for our nation’s government to reign in out-of-control spending and unneeded growth and expansion of the size of our government.
We understand taxes used to keep our cities and counties and states operating.
We understand taxes used to fearlessly provide for our public safety.
We DON’T understand taxation used to bail out bad decisions.
We DON’T understand taxation used to bail out ridiculously extravagant corporate lifestyles and poor management of major corporations.
We say ENOUGH!!
Enough earmarks and unrelated amendments to legislation!
Enough pork barrel spending!
Enough pet projects!
Enough interference from lobbyists and Political Action Committees!
We say Enough bail outs of bad decision-making on Wall Street and private corporations!
We say Enough to unprecedented Trillions of Dollars of taxation debt under names like –
TARP, the Troubled Asset Relief Program costing $700 billion;
Names like the Economic Recovery Plan called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act costing $787 billion;
Names like the Public-Private Investment Program, a $1 trillion Toxic Asset Plan designed by the U. S. Treasury;
Names like a $3.5 trillion budget plan that even the governments own Congressional Budget Office says will create a minimum $9.3 trillion total deficit over nine years.
These are not made up programs or amounts of money.
I have here dozens of pages of research verifying these plans.
Anyone willing to spend 30 minutes with an internet search engine can find it!
We say Enough legislation that spends away the futures of our children, and their children, and their children!
What can we, the average citizens, do to bring about this kind of change?
What can we, the average citizens, do to demand accountability of those we elect to represent us?
We become involved.
We can make phone calls and write letters and e-mails to our elected officials, advising them politely but firmly of our position on current issues.
We can attend public meetings of our City and County Commissions and our State and Federal Congresses.
We can volunteer to encourage and inform others.
We can volunteer to serve on the Boards and Committees of our local governments.
We can run for elected office and begin to turn the tide.
You might be asking – who is this woman and what qualifies her to speak on these things?
I am the descendant of Polish, German and French immigrants who, 3 generations ago, CHOSE to seek a better, though hard-won destiny for themselves and their future generations.
I am someone who, along with her husband, nearly 13 years ago, CHOSE to call Griffin her home and to make this the hometown of her children.
I am a working wife and mother who realized I CAN make a difference.
Your story qualifies you, too. You can make a difference!
About 4 years ago, I attended a city commission meeting to support a cause I believed in. One of those commissioners asked where we had all been when other, more critical issues, had been before the board.
I took that commissioner’s comments that night as a personal challenge to become more active in the direction and future of the community where I live.
I began attending meetings.
I began expressing my opinion to those who represent me in government.
I began to volunteer to serve on committees and boards who influence the future of my community.
And tonight, I am making public before those of you here, my intention to run for City Commissioner of District Three.
These are opportunities available to each of us.
Our descendants may not have these same opportunities if we do not determine to make the most of the opportunities before US.
Our future generations are depending upon US to make a difference.
When will Washington turn a LISTENING ear back to those whom they were given the responsibility to represent?
When will Washington decide to listen to those who’s blood, sweat and hard-earned dollars have made this nation great?
I submit to you that it will not happen until WE THE PEOPLE insert ourselves so deeply into the daily happenings of our government that they have no choice.
I propose to you that it will not happen until WE THE PEOPLE use our voices and our votes to deliver a tide of change that CANNOT BE IGNORED.
I say, LET IT BEGIN TODAY!!
©Shannon M. Herren 2009
delivered 4/14/2009 at Spalding County Courthouse Steps,
Griffin GA
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