I remember about a year ago when I attended patriotic lecture and heard a very important statistic. The quote is said to be from Ezera Taft Benson. It was mentioned that 3% of the population, in this example it was the church, is devoted to a specific theme in their life. For example, 3% of the population is really big on genealogy work, another 3% may be big on temples, and another 3% may be devoted to youth camp, etc. In the lecture the presenter talked about 3% of the population being concerned about their nation’s future and become politically active.

This is why I thought an informed citizenry would make an interesting topic for teaching embellishments. Because of the Fourth of July weekend. It’s only natural that I would like to discuss freedom. When many people attend the various festivities, they often go with family members and enjoy the event together.  In my case, since I don’t have family I do activities with friends. Both provide the sense of community.

With all the patriotic topics being discussed this week. I wanted to touch upon is an informed citizenry.

Today I want to emphasize that becoming informed on national and community issues does not necessarily mean you have to attend all city hall meetings or picket the NSA or IRS building. I think each of us can accomplish a lot by us being informed on the issues. I have learned in recent years, the tendency for the press to have their own agenda when sharing the news. Lately there’s been too many examples of manipulation of information to provide false perceptions to the viewer. So I find merely watching the news is not a secure way of getting accurate information.

This weekend, while attending of reunion with some writer friends, I was reminded of how people of the local community with political ambitions may not be above lying to accomplish their goals. There was one person that I have supported in the past, but I’m hearing some really bad information on him. I need to see how I can research his integrity, so I don’t support an unethical person. Apparently this person is reported to have shared in accurate information for the sake of political gain. I’ve recently learned that they don’t even attend the city Council meetings consistently. Before I mentioned this person’s name, I need to see and discover if this man is doing what I’ve heard he’s doing before I determine if I’m going to continue my support of him. At the moment, the jury is still out. And until I can determine if he’s an honorable man. I’m no longer going to promote him.

I give this example because I see that I need to be better informed on this individual. But my concern of this person’s actions is not just restricted to local government. In this case, I thought this person was ethical and now I hear he is not. It’s a good example of flattering words being used to build a following. I don’t like being played. It makes me wonder how many times I’ve voted to someone at the national level or state level that the twit

It is my intent to approach him on these issues. My invitation is for each of us, including me to make more of an effort to become informed on issues. I’ve been attending some meetings on Common Core presented by people who are pro-common core and people and by people who are anti-common core. Sometimes hear both sides of an issue, makes me downright dizzy. But I do feel that hearing about the issues can be very useful. I have not liked what I have been learning of common core. And attending some of the meetings of pro-common core people substantiate that the information I’ve heard is accurate. They want the things are happening or for the sake of job security, and agree to that kid should be taught in this manner.

I can see how those that are involved in the community for the long-term, can start learning of the integrity of community leaders , or our national leaders simply because they notice their actions throughout the duration of their political careers. One can determine by their actions and their words, if they are liars. The City Councilman who I once trusted made a comment about the parking lot for storytelling center not following legal specs. When I obtained a copy of the floor plan, I couldn’t tell if the specs for parking were legal and not. Hindsight teaches me that since I know diddly squat about the floor plan of the parking lot. I can’t determine by looking at the document, if he was right or wrong. I may need to involve someone who is not politically motivated to help me analyze the document. That way I don’t think anyone’s word for granted. I see if what’s presented on paper, matches what I was told.

I know many people will pursue knowledge to a variety of ways. Here are a few:

1. Is to consistently attending meetings and gain of long-term familiarity with people in public office
2. Another is lectures and presentations.
3. Research on Internet, library or documentation on government websites.
4. Nonfiction books on various topics including politics.
5. Be a student of history. We find that history repeats itself. Politicians repeat their behaviors.
6. If you have a hard time understanding the concept, or in my case, a floor plan, involve someone that can accurately interpret it. But whoever you ask for analysis help, be aware that they may influence their response to what they feel is right or wrong.
7. I’ve also found that the experiences of other friends and people that I don’t agree with politically to be very informative.
8. For those of us who feel that God has a direct influence on our lives, I would recommend that we pray for him, his father’s inspiration to help us and guide us.

I find that I’m too trusting, far too often. I invite all of us to start question everything. I invite us not to take things at face value. Because there are too many people that are not above lying. We enact our free will of becoming more actively involved in community, state and national issues. For the last number of months I have been saving a number of news articles that are in direct conflict with the promises offered by the current administration. So my confidence in their integrity is shaken. There are also areas of concern from the previous administration that I have not forgotten.

My invitation is for each of us to seek out information from multiple sources and to not rely totally upon the news media. Let us, as a citizenry, not be played.

Thank you for your time in looking over this blog entry.