2014 won’t have do much to come out better than 2013. Last year brought us the most epically embarrassing rollout of the most epically disastrous Obamacare program this nation has ever seen. Plus, there was also a series of “government gone wild” type behaviors that the President pretended to know nothing about. When the IRS admitted that it had illegally targeted Tea Party, patriotic, Christian, Pro-Israel, and other conservative groups, the White House lied, saying it had only happened in a Cincinnati field office. Senior IRS officials were rushed into retirement – with taxpayers picking up the bill – and pleading the Fifth before Congress. It was enough to make law-abiding citizens, perhaps for the first time, consider that the government was actively working against them. Then there was what John Podhoretz described as perhaps “the worst security breach in US history, with contractor Edward Snowden dancing around the globe with tens of millions of highly classified documents.” Not to mention the fact that “twerking” became a part of everyone’s vocabulary. It’s enough to make you lose hope. Wait, I thought these were supposed to be the years of hope and change? No matter. There are many reasons to hope in 2014, and none of them have anything to do with Congress or the President of the United States. Have you heard about the “self-governance” movement that’s once again sweeping across America? The United States was created by citizens who governed themselves. The main purpose of government is to protect the citizens’ natural rights to life, liberty, and property. That means the federal government should only act where we, the people, have intentionally granted authority. Self-governance ensures that citizens control the selection and accountability of elected officials and governmental administrations. It’s the best answer to the question, “Who decides?” In a self-governing society, decisions are made as close to home as possible, not in some faraway bureaucracy. That’s why I’ve created five ways to move towards Self-Governance in 2014, or things you can do in your own life to help move things in the right direction. ONE: Quit worrying about the next Presidential election. 2008 and 2012 were tough losses, but we need to start thinking locally. Instead of worrying about what horse you’re going to back in 2016, go to the next meeting of your school board. Instead of posting another anti-Obama meme on your Facebook, go to a city planning commission. Find out who your local representatives are in state government and start learning their positions on issues that affect your community. As Michigan activist Lloyd Conway said, “If we won’t serve as dog catcher, we’ll never get to the White House.” TWO: Do you trust the federal government? Good. Use that mistrust to fuel real change. Did you know there’s a way to rein in the federal government without approval of Congress or the President? It’s found in Article V of the Constitution and it’s called the Convention of States Project. Download your free handbook here, and begin taking steps toward making this a reality. THREE: Quit being so sullen. Margaret Thatcher said, “Socialism doesn’t work because eventually you run out of other people’s money.” Similarly, the President’s programs are destined to fail. This is our time to take advantage of the failed programs and the extreme incompetence afforded by the President’s terrible ideas. That means we need to stop being so upset and start showing the sunny optimism the self-governance message merits. FOUR: Protect yourself from Obamacare. Yes, it’s bad. Yes, it’s going to jack up rates for people all over the nation. Yes, we should be furious. However, we need to prepare for this even while fighting its implementation. Forbes has a few suggestions you might find helpful as we enter into this unprecedented era of government intervention. For example, get a good primary care doctor, use a Health Savings Account, and consider a “direct pay” physician. FIVE: Meet your neighbor. Yes, the one with the privacy fence and the dog who barks too late at night. Self-Governance is something about which all Americans should agree. It’s not a new concept at all. In fact, we used to believe in it so much that we revolted against England over it. It’s time for a new revolution. Let’s start talking to our friends and neighbors and actually start a movement from the grassroots all the way up to – and beyond — the White House.
