Good morning! I am.well, it doesnt matter who I am. I am nobody in particular.

Im just a plain old mom who woke up one day to find that my children were being taught almost no history or civics in public school, and that my country had changed without me knowing about it most probably for the same reason. Granted, I was not the only one that woke up suddenly in 2008. Who can forget the national media coverage of the tea party tidal wave? Citizens all across this country flocked to tea parties where they could yell and scream about the recent injuries and usurpations to our freedoms, but then many took up yelling at the TV as their only source of political action outside voting. Here in Oklahoma, some of us joined a local tea party or other liberty-minded group such as the OKC or Tulsa 912 Projects, OCPAC or OK-SAFE. We listened to speaker after speaker talk about the destruction of our individual liberties, in this country once brimming with opportunity! Even more of us had to learn how our government worked knowing little about the process of even how a bill was passed! A few, like me, formed their own organizations to research, write and educate other citizens about how our loss of liberties through the rise of governmental bureaucracies many not even under the immediate jurisdiction of elected officials such as Fusion Centers, Agenda 21 and Common Core State Standards. In fact, the more I became educated on what was going on around me, the madder I got! I simply couldnt understand how MY elected representatives had allowed so much of MY freedom to slip away! Yet the biggest education I ever got was that it wasnt my elected officials who let my freedom slip away IT WAS ME! I AM THE PEOPLE WE ARE THE PEOPLE! Im ashamed to say this, but prior to 2008, I had been in the building behind us maybe once on a school field trip! I had voted in every election I could, but I never knew who my elected representatives were, or how even to contact them, so I didnt. Once it finally occurred to me that I had NO CHOICE but to communicate with my elected representatives if I wanted to keep my liberties, I walked resolutely, through these doors behind me, introduced myself and stated my concerns. I have to admit, I was NERVOUS! I mean, after all, this is an

imposing place whose hallowed halls are filled with ELECTED officials people who must somehow be ultimately better than me. Well guess what I found out? Theyre NOT. In fact, many legislators in this building know NOTHING about some of the topics plopped down in front of them in a bill. If you dont tell them your thoughts the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE or a LOBBYIST will and they will RARELY have YOUR best interest at heart! Truly, the men and women who occupy the building behind us are not better than you or I dont forget, taxpayer and elected official alike were ALL CREATED EQUAL. The legislators who work inside this building are hired by the PEOPLE to serve the people - REPRESENTING the wishes of the PEOPLE in their government in a SERVANT role! In the three years since becoming the President of ROPE, I have been inside this building countless timesI have spoken to legislators in hallways, offices and the infamous Senate and House lobbies from whence the term lobbyist comes. I have been yelled at, lied to been called a liar chewed out and ignored by more elected officials than I ever knew even existed prior to 2008. I have also met a number of legislators and elected officials who are warm and welcoming of my opinions and thoughts and who do the very best they can to serve not only their constituents, but all of Oklahoma as well. Thankfully, these are becoming more numerous as voters awaken and realize there is more to being a good legislator than a (D) or (R) behind their name. So here is my advice to you and my teacher was Amanda, so Ive learned from the best: IMMEDIATELY find out who your senator and representatives are. During the summer and fall, while they have more time than during a legislative session when theyre trying to read 25 bills a day, ask them to meet with you invite them to coffee, for example. Learn about their interests and family talk to them about yours. Tell them your ideas about how government should run. This is my State Representative, Lewis Moore. He is the next-door neighbor of one of my good friends, but he and I met several years ago when I introduced myself to him at a meeting. Over the course of the years, he and I have become acquainted and have worked together on a number of issues. Lewis has my

cell phone number and I have his. In fact, he gives out his cell phone number to his constituents, but few if ANY, call! When I have a question or need help, I can call, or text, Lewis. Thanks Lewis for your help! After you have met your legislators, keep in touch with them PARTICULARLY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION. Let them know how you feel about the bills that are being examined by the legislature. A great way to do this is to sign up for emails from one of the grassroots OKLAHOMA groups you see out here today - such as OCPAC, one of the 912s or ROPE. We ALL send out emails to educate people about both bad bills and good bills. We tell you how to stop them or get them passed, and ask you to help us by calling your legislators and make your thoughts known! As you have come to understand this morning and I hope become very angry about we are at a crossroads in our country. Complacency will NOT steer America back on her course only active and informed citizens can man that boat and turn the wheel! In that vein, I leave you with a quote from then Congressmen James Garfield, who gave the Congressional address on the 100th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence in 1876: "Now more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature If the next centennial does not find us a great nation it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."