BY SHARON MARTIN

So, you don’t want to be bothered with politics. Lately, with the power plays and general lack of civility, that’s understandable. But whether you’re involved or not, the political maneuvers go on. And what goes on when you are uninvolved can steal your liberty.

Did you know that corporations, with the help of American Legislative Exchange Council, write the bills that are being pushed through the legislature in several states, including Oklahoma? The model bills are designed to benefit not the people but the corporations who “suggest” them.

One man who doesn’t believe that we, the people, are the government will be the de facto Republican candidate for president in 2012.

Grover Norquist believes we should do away with Medicare and Social Security despite the success of these insurance programs. His formidable PAC, Americans for Tax Reform, works hard so the rich don’t have to pay any. ATR supports only those candidates who agree, support that can make or break a candidate.

If you doubt his power or his intent to control, listen to Norquist’s own words. He pummeled Gingrich when the Republican candidate for the presidency had the gall to say that Medicare should not be a voucher program, that Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan was social engineering.

“Gingrich made the stupid mistake of thinking the Ryan plan was optional,” Norquist said. “Now we’ve got all the Republican presidential candidates behind the plan. We don’t need a president with ideas.”

So what does he want? A president who lets Norquist do his thinking for him? A puppet he and the billionaires who fund him can control?

When one individual or group of individuals wields this much power, we no longer have a democracy. When power is concentrated in the hands of a ruling class, whether by birth or by access to education or wealth, that’s un-American.

The Founding Fathers are rolling over in their graves.

Our government is supposed to be of the people, by the people, and for the people. We pay taxes to get services back, not to support the ruling class. We put our dollars into the kitty to fund schools, roads, and safe water, not so corporations and industries can be subsidized.

We broke away from a monarchy by having a revolution. Let’s nip this new monarchy in the bud before another revolution is required to keep us free.

Get involved. At least, get informed. If not, the next president may be a puppet of these PAC men who are willing to gobble up you, your freedom, and your future.

– Sharon Martin lives in Oilton, OK and is a regular contributor to The Oklahoma Observer