What happens when an ordinary family gets involved in
public policy and elections at the city and county level? That is our story for
the last four years.
What happens when a “tell it all book” is about to be published, and you can have a small part in
spreading its message around? That is the focus of this blog post.
Whatcom Works has been a blog that the Kirk family
(mostly Dad, me that is) has used to chronicle our efforts, observations, hopes
and frustrations over the last 30 months of involvement in public policy
service in Whatcom County, Washington.
We have been privileged to do a lot of door belling in
GOTV, to work at phone banks, to provide live streaming services for several
debates. Some of us have worked as campaign media coordinators, fund raising
banquet assistants, website and social media support staff, and one daughter is
currently session aide for our State Senator Doug Ericksen.
Some of us have gone to dozens of meetings at the Whatcom
County Council, Whatcom County Planning Commission, Public Utility District #1,
Farm Bureau, Whatcom Cattleman's Association, WRIA 1 Water Board, Whatcom CAPR board,
and more. There have also been many bull sessions with various conservative activists.
We have worked on policy language, having some passed into policy, and some
rejected, even by other conservatives.
A year ago, my daughter and I flew to Colorado and
California to take training that would facilitate recruitment and deployment of
interested local citizens as observers and reporters of routine business in the
dozens of committees that carry out the business of Whatcom County government.
Public policy activists have to go to meetings, and what if that work load could
be delegated to dozens of like minded peers, giving them a chance to taste,
explore and sharpen their skills in local governance?
Recently, we assessed our public policy involvements
versus family responsibilities in home schooling and home maintenance.
Volunteer service may be given freely, but someone has to pick up the tab for
living. So, we have not been going to many meetings recently. For a number of months,
Whatcom Works has been silent.
But there is something I really want to write about!
Someone has written a new book that
addresses the pressures I have outlined above. This soon to be published book
also has a lot more to say. A whole lot more.
Conservatives and Christians in Washington State are hard
to shock. Perhaps, in Washington State, highly
unchurched and agnostic, we have become like the proverbial frog in the kettle.
Oh, yah, another case of abusing freedom of speech. So what! What’s on for
sports tonight? Maybe next year we can elect a governor who is not in the
pocket of Big Labor, the Eco Fascists, and the LGBT community.
Erick Erickson and
Bill Blankschaen, living in the far away
state of Georgia, have written a book that you really need to read. Actually,
that you really need to buy and read. Actually, that you really need to pre-order now so a lot more people can hear about
a very useful book that is having a high profile rollout. And, a book that you
can discuss with your friends and church leaders and pastors.
I have read this book. (I am not getting money for
writing this review.) I have read some reviews of this book. Frankly, it is a
lifeline book. Especially for those who are not a part of the chattering class.
You may know who I mean. Political activists who go to conferences and link to
each others blogs and support each other well may not need this book. But those
of us who are in the trenches and alone and wondering where the cavalry has
gone need a lifeline. This is one!
Two years ago, our family attended a home school
conference. One of the keynote speakers, a real “Mr. Big”, spent an hour
outlining the plans of the LGBT community to “make us care” and fear and serve
them. It was very depressing. He ended by saying he really did not have any
answers or advice for us. Since then, I have heard he has taken a seminary
service post in Africa. Cool for him!
When you read this book, you need to get to the last
part. The first two thirds outlines the dire straits Christians are facing over
the “pelvic wars”. It is painful. Really painful! You will meet outstanding Christian
conservatives, in business, public service, non profits who have been targeted
and taken to the cleaners by LGBT activists and their friends in the judiciary,
education and media.
But I would really like to give a shout out to the last
few chapters. The development sequence is real. The book champions “resurgent”
faith and conservatism. For you Biblicists, think “overcomer”, as in Revelation
chapters 2 and 3. Think finding and serving the worthy man, as in Matthew 10:7-20.
Even John the Baptist was granted resurgence when he was pinned down in Herod’s
prison.
Our family has found the authors’ sequence of developing
resurgence spot on. First is community. We have met many other Christians and
conservatives from a very diverse range of persuasions. And we clicked with them. The
problem is the conservative activist community is relatively very small!
So, we go to “school”. As individuals (secondly) we
enlarge our parameters, we broaden our information base and theology, we hone our skills. Yet, solitary
activists here and there, working in ones and twos, are still solitary.
So, thirdly, we add the family. Get the children, grandparents,
and aunts and uncles involved. Suddenly, a multiplier comes into play that is
huge. And has tremendous import for decades to come!
Here is where it gets dicey. When, fourthly, the church
is challenged to be resurgent in the public square, our experience is that it frequently
acts like the LGBT community, striking back, holding tightly to its “little
earthly store, nor sending thy messengers unto some distant shore”. Coping with sour faith community responses takes patience. Organized, funded groups of Christians are slowly waking up to see that they ARE being targeted and made to
care. Having this book on the church leader’s desk or in the church library
will be very timely.
Lastly, the resurgent citizen is one who is not just
about influencing culture by top down elected influence, but who rubs elbows
with their progressive neighbors, who defuses bias and gives gifts that influence
culture. They do this person by local person. The resurgent citizen is salt and light,
regardless of their political connections or lack thereof. And, since elections do have consequences, resurgent citizens become engaged in elections and or public policy as they serve in the larger community..
The framers of the American constitution were largely
Biblicists. It is no wonder that the LGBT community has targeted Christians, champions
of freedom of speech and property rights, above all others. Christians care and
don’t back down. The Christian Bible is a fountain of freedom and public policy
wisdom. That is why socialists, communists and fascists have hated it, and hate
the American Constitution. (Disclaimer: the US Constitution does not supercede
the Christian Bible). Now, the maladies of socialism are content for another
post.
So, have I convinced you yet? Go pre order, and access the bonus gifts. This is
a good thing. Thanks for coming back to Whatcom Works and reading this post.
JK (John Kirk)
