April 28, 2008

Use your gift of freedom

After I received an invitation to attend one of the three Republican Platform Hearings, a Republican tradition in Indiana dating back to 1856, I travelled to the REMC Building in Indianapolis yesterday afternoon to attend the second hearing. I was part of an audience of more than 90 who came to share in the exchange of ideas, opinions and beliefs, and was given the chance to determine what planks will be in the Republican Party’s Platform for the 2008 election. This tradition, unique to the Indiana Republican Party gives voice to Hoosiers in the development of the document which ultimately becomes formal language in the Republican Platform.

About two dozen stood to give prepared statements on the issues and brought both heartfelt and at times, passionate pleas vying for a place on this Republican Platform. We heard testimony in support of strong families, pro-life and pro-faith initiatives. Some argued for state funding of long-term care for the elderly and home-schooling, the belief in commodity based banking, smaller government, restoration of a unified Republican Party, the search for fair tax (if there is such a thing) and compassionate understanding for individuals seeking immigration rights. There was an overwhelming sense of support for a simplification of the voting process with a desire to return to a paper ballot, a disdain for the implementation of the National ID, a regulation of technology in the use of that technology for regulation and the preservation of the last of the true free markets: the internet.

It was exciting for me to embrace this part of the democratic process, and celebrate freedom, this golden opportunity, in which our voices can be heard and recognized. What a contrast to the lack of freedom I experienced in Zambia, during the 2005-2006 school year, where this kind of exchange of ideas was greatly hindered under threat of retaliation or even loss of life. I can only imagine thousands of Zambians clamoring for recognition, their collective voices shaping their laws and government, if they had this same privilege.

“Our system is better”, said Henry Kissinger during a 1990 debate at Oxford University with an East German Socialist, “because it’s through the process of conflicts we reach something smarter.” Eighteen years later this still stands true today, so I invite you to use your gift of freedom and vote in the Indiana Primary election. It may be free to us, but not to the many who offered their lives fighting for freedom for this great country.

Andria Helm,
Liberty Center