It's so simple:

Monday – June 27, 2011

It’s so simple:

Today, I want to thank those who sent me a thank you for Fridays FORUM. I was inspired by a couple of personal events that made me look at what I am doing and for what purpose.

For those who have read the FORUM with interest over the past two years I hope that what I have been writing about is bringing you information and inspiration!

Today, I want to write about a conversation I had last Saturday afternoon. The result of the conversation made things crystal clear and solidified a few thoughts that I have been developing, but could not put to words. Today, I will put the words to a simple plan and a simple approach!

A petitioner approached me and asked if I would sign a petition to get a candidate on the ballot this fall for our local election. I said sure, then I hesitated and said to myself, am I really going to sign a petition for someone I don’t know anything about? As I was considering my thought, the petitioner passed me the clip board.

He asked if I was a registered voter and said if I was to sign on the empty line. I asked him who the candidate was and he gave me the name. I asked is the candidate available, he was, but he was around the block, but if I wanted to meet him I could.

I am up on the issues facing our town and many of my friends have urged me to run for Mayor, at this point that’s not in the cards. However, I started to ask a few questions and I was given the standard lines. He said just sign it, he needs five hundred signatures. I asked how many he had and the number was given. Then I asked what side of the aisle he was on. The response back was he’s not gay, if that’s what you are asking, I must have been sending some sort of vibe. I said no, but that shouldn’t have anything to do with my decision. I rephrased my question and was a bit more direct. I asked what side of the political aisle he was on. The response was 2/3 liberal/ Democrat.

My response to that answer was as you would expect. I said I cannot sign the petition because he is a Democrat. The look of confusion overcame the petitioner’s face. He was shocked at my reason. He said I should sign it, because the candidate is a good guy! I said I am sure he is, but I cannot, in all good conscience, support someone for office, let alone sign a petition to get him on the ballot if he is a Democrat.

The look of confusion turned to anger. He was alarmed at my frankness and said he is not a Republican and the petition was non partisan. I said how can it be non partisan, if as you said the candidate is a Democrat? I said don’t you see my point?
Political thought and action starts at the local level. It starts with a Democrat who gets in at the city level with all good intentions of wanting to change things.
Then the candidate gets involved with the rest of the liberals on the board including the Mayor then the rubber stamp comes out.

Like any small town the politics are played and the politics are won, because of the politics.

I handed back the petition and said this candidate would not get a signature from me to get him on the ballot.

Then things turned crystal clear. What I have been trying to put into words for the last two years occurred to me in three minutes of dialog. I practiced the notion of taking my town back at the local level; one of the principals behind Pinecone Conservatives. I prevented one less signature getting on the ballot and taking away the possibility that one more Democrat, one more liberal, might not have a chance to enforce the rubber stamp rule.

If you look at this story, as an example of how to bring change, it becomes so simple. It then becomes easier when you make a vow to yourself to get the Democrats out of office. This is one way to do it and it is legal.

On this date, in 1778, The Liberty Bell came home to Philadelphia after the British had left. In a few short days, we will celebrate the sounds of liberty by celebrating the day we become independent. With all the celebrations that occur at this time of year try to remember what the true essence of liberty was and what it has been disguised as for today’s consumption. Remember the great souls that came before you and quite possibly walked in the same path you are walking today and then tell me that the sounds of liberty and our Independence can never be drowned and that the sounds of liberty should be loud and clear like many of the fireworks we listen to at this time of year.

Remember the importance of all the petitions that are given to us to sign. Remember to ask the questions and remember to act on the answers you are given. It’s so simple!

Gregory C. Dildilian
Founder and Executive Director
Pinecone Conservatives

A footnote: The Liberty Bell and the Fourth of July are only symbols today and that is fine. But the symbols still do reflect what was in the hearts and the minds of the men of Liberty that decided enough was enough! Its now time to declare our Independence!