WHATS NEXT? Its time to finish up on this page with one more post about whats next. Maybe politics is in my future, but as Ive said, not another run for U.S. Congress. As much as I believe in the independent movement, the reality is that strong, unaffiliated candidates were shut out everywhere in this mid-term election. Record low voter turnout contributed, but who knows how anyone would have voted if theyd shown up at the polls? Too many are stuck in a party politics mentality. I had hoped we would make enough of a showing to help change the national conversation, to let the powers that be know they should be worried, that their jobs might be in danger. The fact is their jobs are more secure than ever, for many reasons. But most of all the citizenry is to blame. The majority of us refuse to be informed and wont stand up to redeclare our independence and reclaim our rights by voting out those who participate in a corrupt system. Ultimately, its on us for playing along. Some form of civil disobedience is seeming more like an answer for me. My definition of a government which wants to be a Christian nation is not one that lacks compassion, continually makes war, no longer rewards a hard-working middle class and blames the poor for being poor. It is more and more disgusting every day to participate in a system which has become corrupted by greed. Do you know what was the sin of Sodom? Not what many think. “Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” (Ezekiel 16:49, NIV) If we bring on our own destruction it will be because we have forgotten whats truly important. The Koch brothers and their kind are laughing at us, ALL of us, especially the misguided (often well-intentioned) voters who keep thinking that electing an ALEC-sponsored puppet is somehow electing someone who represents us. This couldnt be further from the truth. The federal government is making itself more and more irrelevant every day simply because it cant function. What a shame its morally and financially bankrupting us in the process. But whatever happens in Washington, we must come back around to what has always made this country great: local solutions. Thats ultimately the way it should be and what will be our salvation. It goes beyond “shopping local,” although supporting locally owned businesses is an integral part. (Online shopping is a wonderful convenience, but its helping lay waste to local economies. Please remember that as the holidays approach.) The local movement is about growing our own food or knowing our growers. Its about communities growing our own businesses, too, and creating jobs, manufacturing the things we need when its possible. Forming farmers and artisan co-ops. Bartering. Connecting with our neighbors. Somehow weve been led to believe its impossible to be self-sufficient, but its only in recent times that the economy has become global. Local choices exist and local choices are crucial. Local solutions are also about all of us taking responsibility and helping to care for those in need in our own communities while contributing time and resources to build strong families and education opportunities. Its about mentoring young people, so they can break free from generational cycles of poverty. For those of you who didnt know me before the campaign, about 20 years ago I wrote a novel, “The Least of These,” about what might happen if the federal government went bankrupt and all we had was each other. Its about acting locally. (It was published in 2008. Its still available if youre curious.) I have been blogging for several years, mostly about what might be called matters of the spirit. I may start up again, but I took a break during the campaign. I didnt want anyone thinking that because I want churches and believers to do better that I want to combine church and state. Because I dont. (If youre interested you can go to terryhampton.blogspot. You might read the last post I made before announcing my intentions to run.) If youre not a friend on my personal Terry Fuhrmann Hampton page feel free to send me an invitation. And if you know anyone who wants to try a run for office and they have any questions, have them private message me through Hampton for Congress. Obviously, I dont have much insight into winning, but I know a few things that did and did not seem to help. And I can give some information about navigating the paperwork. Its been great connecting with you all, to find out there are people willing to think beyond the current political choices. Have courage. Be kind. Well get through these rough times and well hope for good things ahead. Thanks again for your support.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 14:00:17 +0000