Never let it be said that you can’t make a difference.  When you look at the national level and see Congress passing bills that they don’t even read, don’t feel like your voice can’t be heard. Washington is a long way away, but our County and City are close, and we have seen what we can do at that level.  By making changes here, we can make our voice heard there.

Just a few weeks ago Gwinnett County was completely set to raise our taxes by 25% to 30%.  This is a substantial amount, and it was a foregone conclusion in the eyes of most of the County Commissioners – the vote was going to be just a formality.  But with a little sunshine and involvement by a few citizens this particular tax increase was stopped dead.

And this was done with a small minority of Gwinnett’s taxpayers!  For all the noise, there was only one tax protest (attended by 400 or so) and larger than expected turnout at the public hearings (again, 400 or so).  Let’s say that the Commissioners received 10,000 e-mails – we are still talking about just over 1% of the County’s population!  There are probably that many residents would vote for a county wide speed limit of 15 mph to cut down on traffic deaths, but you don’t see that happening.  Essentially a handful of people turned around the ship of the County in about a week.

But the effect of this outcry didn’t stop there.  The next week the Gwinnett Daily Post had article after article of Cities in our County who voted against a tax increase of their own.  I have to believe that at least some of those votes happened because of what they saw with the County.

This is not the time to go back to American Idol!  Now is the time to build on this momentum, recognize the tremendous power we have at the local level, and start bringing about change that will save the Country.  This first battle was fought with just a few people – imagine what we could do if everyone involved brought in just one more person? 

I am seeing people I would not have dreamed of pass around videos and documents that talk about liberty, tyranny, democracy and the core principles of our Constitutional Republic.  Friends who have never been involved in anything are attending tea parties and writing their elected officials.

Hopefully people will recognize the power of letters, e-mails, protests and phone calls.  Showing up for government hearings and becoming educated and involved.  But many of these same people are not just trusting in the traditional political system.  Some are purchasing gold and silver, and a few have surprised me by getting their first gun.

I don’t know what the next year will hold, but I am convinced it will be a year of great change.  The expression “power keg” comes to mind, and I am worried about the event that will set it off.  Will it be something like the election results in Iran?  Universal Healthcare?  The Fairness Doctrine?  Political ‘tricks’ by Democrats (or Republicans)?  Or will it happen (like it did in Gwinnett) when the new taxes start to show up?

Washington is a long way away, but that just means you have to shout louder.  The best way to do that is to start making changes at the local level and watch as they ripple up to DC.  And then trust that your fellow Americans all over the US are doing the same thing.  We can change the system through peaceful protests, lawful assembly and holding elected officials accountable.  We have seen it done right here in Gwinnett.  America has been through one Revolution – hopefully we can pull back from the brink before we have to face another.

Don’t lose the momentum.  Attend the next County Commissioners meeting.  When you see your elected officials, go up and introduce yourself.  Bring a friend to a tax protest, a Republican (or Democrat) Party breakfast.  Ask questions, do research on the Internet – but whatever you do stay involved.  The future of our country depends on it.

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