READER OPINION-It's our Republic we need to stay involved in it

This is an opinion piece I wrote for the Tri-county newspaper.

To the editor,
Wisconsin Citizen's Involvement would like to thank all three candidates who participated in the Question and Answer Forum on August 19, 2010. We would also like to thank all of the people who took the time to come and listen to what the candidates had to say. Without this type of information, how can people decide on which candidate is the best to vote for?
I would like to see more people take the time to get involved in government issues. I know previous generations of my family have done so. My great-grandparents left an oppressive government in Czechoslovakia to come to the one and only free country on Earth-the United States of America. If we don't get involved soon, the freedoms we currently have will no longer be there for future generations. I don't want to be the generation that loses that dream of my great-grandparents and our fore-fathers. That is why we started our group and are getting involved.
This also ties into immigration. We do need to have immigration to renew the feeling of gratitude for the freedoms we have. This only happens when we have legal immigrants who work for their citizenship and then they can truly appreciate our country. Those who bypass this system do not have the same appreciation and love for our country. I remember hearing stories from my grandparents on the love of our country and the appreciation for the opportunity to succeed. They did not have any guarantees they would succeed, just the dream of the freedom to do so. They also assimilated into the country and their community. They learned English and did not make others bend to their heritage and language.
Also remember, we are a Republic, not a Democracy. There is a huge difference, and that is why my family fled Europe. If you want to keep this Republic and freedom, please get involved.

Glenn Beck rally

We attended the rally. It was amazing to see the amount of people there.

Video of the event:
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/295231-1

Some pictures of the crowds, taken by others.

The candidate forum video

Thanks to Wisconsin Eye for taping the session.

This is a link:
http://www.wiseye.org/wisEye_programming/campaign10/ARCHIVES-CPN10_GOV.html#3919

It is in 2 parts and requires Windows media player to play. The video is very small and hard to see.

Pictures from candidate forum on 4-19-2010

Thanks again for the three candidates: Steve Kestell, Randy Meyer and Jack Lechler. We also thank all of you who came to the forum.

This is why we are involved, will you?

This is a video that will explain why we got involved. I hope you get others to get involved as well. If we don't fight for our rights and constitution we will no longer be America, we will be like Europe. By the way, didn't our own families run from Europe to be in a system that you can succeed or even fail. I know my great grandparents came for that reason and I will fight to keep that dream alive for my children and future generations!
link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wusgcG4rfo&feature=player_embedded

No August Meeting

There will be no meeting of the Kiel Patriots/Wisconsin Citizen's Involvement in August. We are traveling to Washington DC with our children to take part in the Defending the American Dream Summit and Glenn Beck's Restoring Honor Rally. We will update the blogs when we return. Thanks for understanding.

Paying for the cost of freedom a citizens duty

8/6/2010 8:24:00 AM

To the editor, When we think of the cost of freedom, our thoughts generally turn to our military personnel who are serving, have served, or have paid the ultimate price. How many also think of the cost we, as citizens, also bear? I'm talking about the civic duty we owe to our country, state, community and our fellow Americans. We owe it to our children, parents, military, and ourselves, to be as involved as possible in the preservation of our "inalienable rights" as the Constitution states. This debt is one we deepen when we don't know enough about our candidates, don't take time to learn about the issues we vote on or have our representatives at every level of government vote on for us. It deepens when we don't educate ourselves and others on the real issues, the truth behind the news headlines, the real state of our country, state and community. Look at the last presidential election; many people did not take the time to research the candidates. Many people just voted for a slogan, "Change." Ask yourself how that is working for America. When we aren't willing to give of ourselves a small portion, when we give others the authority to make our decisions for us without our input, we become willing slaves to whatever that authority decides is best. Have you quietly handed your responsibilities as a citizen of this nation to someone else because you "didn't have time," "didn't know enough," "don't have an interest in it," or "don't care?" Be honest with yourself. This once-great nation needs "We the People" now more than ever. It matters not if you affiliate yourself with the Republicans, Democrats, or no party at all. There is more to your civic duty that marking a box on a ballot or pulling a lever. What does the candidate stand for? Does the candidate listen to you? Who does the candidate represent-their party or you? Have you spoken with them? Ask yourself these questions and find the answers-and don't just get the information from one. Be aware of who you're getting your information from, get it from the original source. This is your call to action. Many of you are probably wondering how to get involved. Attend City Council and School Board meetings, attend debates and discussion forums, learn who your candidates are and what they stand for, and especially important, educate yourself and others. The library is free and has many resources available. Only by exercising our Constitutional rights will we retain them. Get involved at any level you can. You can make a difference. Wisconsin Citizen's Involvement, a local non-profit, non-partisan citizens group, will be sponsoring a Question and Answer Forum with the three candidates running for District 27 Assembly Seat. Watch for more details in this and next week's paper. Visit their blog at http://wisconsincitizens.blogspot.com/ to find out more about the group and for more information on the upcoming forum.