“Mom, would you have been a Loyalist or a Rebel (now referred to as a Patriot)?” That was the question the twins posed.
“Well, a Patriot, of course.” I thought - I hoped, aloud.
Exciting and true tales about Concord and Lexington and the intrigue of the Green Mountain Boys have piqued their interest and excited their young warrior-like imaginations. Hence the question about Loyalist or Patriot, and many others about government, and right and wrong, and heroes and traitors . . . We have watched Stan Ellsworth’s American Ride and read young Joseph Martin Plumber’s entries of his experiences as a Revolutionary soldier. We have read about some of the inspiring documents and speeches written that stirred the souls of men.
Catching the fire of the Revolution myself, one evening, I decided to read Thomas Paine’s Common Sense in its entirety. It took me hours. The wording and language pulled me back and into the place of a colonist. Each paragraph reasoned with, and appealed to my own common sense. I couldn’t read fast enough. And I could imagine the colonists doing the same – eager for the next pamphlet. When I finished, I closed down the computer and went to bed that night KNOWING, that I too, would have been a Patriot. I too, would have been inspired by the truths and ideals that this man gave wings to with his words. I like knowing that.
I also like what reading that document makes me feel now. I found contemporary application from the timeless common sense of Common Sense:
“There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of Monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required. The state of a king shuts him from the World, yet the business of a king requires him to know it thoroughly . . .”
While I do not call anyone exceedingly ridiculous, (except for our Twinners at dinner-time) I think there is resemblance between a career politician and monarchy in that he, by necessity, is removed from the world for the duration of his term(s) and, yet, the highest judgment of what he is removed from is required of him. His ‘business’ requires him to know our nation’s ‘business’ thoroughly. Long term absence may exclude him from the means of information and he runs a high risk of coming to know “politics” instead of “patriotism”, “business as usual” instead of “business of our country”.
For this reason, and for a hope for a fresh and fit candidate to win the race for Utah's United States Senator I went on the hunt just before Caucus. I found him and was delighted that he had just enough other support to force a primary election. We have a choice now between 37-years-in-the-Senate incumbent Orrin Hatch and new challenger Dan Liljenquist (pronounced Million-quist with an ‘L’) My choice is Dan. And this is why: (this video is 7 minutes)
He has filled his life with education and experiences in family, service, law, and business. (see the video above)
Yesterday, at the Scandinavian Festival Parade, Dan walks with 2 of his kids and gives my camera a great smile, as do Richard (a terrific county Delegate and Coordinator) and Bridget. Stiff cold winds!
In this debate, (warning! it’s an hour and a half long, but you can fold your laundry or eat chocolate while you watch/listen. Multi tasking is nice if you can do it) I think Dan shows his courteous, competent and co-operative spirit.
It was very clear how he adores his kids.
I met him at an Ephraim Town Meeting the evening before, then yesterday, at the end of a parade, he saw me and remembered my name. Good Grief.
Dan Liljenquist - Fresh and Fit for the race
