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2008: Freedom is making a comeback. Douglas
Findlay Across the nation, regular people are stepping up to take their freedom back. I don't know what woke them from their hibernation. Or what has so energized the youth of our nation. But from local politics to the presidential race, freedom is making a comeback; big time. But it takes more than a gut feeling to know something's afoot. Forget the mainstream media … you won't read about it in the papers. It's all about grass roots and elbow grease. Listening to candidates and pounding campaign signs. Working hard and having fun. You can sure feel it in your bones when you hold it in your hands. So Lobby Day is just around the corner; again. What's different this time? Strength; not only our numbers, but our bargaining position. Instead of going in to meet our legislators like Lucy and Ethel trying to pull a fast one on Ricky Ricardo, we're totally above board. Yes, we're here about the helmet law. And we're smiling. Conventional wisdom said that we needed to make politicians understand us bikers; our way of life, our sense of justice, and our cherished freedoms. Exciting stuff to us, but boring at best and scary at worst to the average non-rider … which includes most politicians. How many times have we seen their eyes glaze over with indifference when we talk about what's nearest and dearest to our hearts? Truth is, people love to talk about what's interesting to THEM. And outside the biking community, hardly anyone is interested in our story. But the good news … the fantastic news … is that we can talk to politicians about what interests THEM. That, of course, is getting elected so they can do all the great things they envision for Virginia. And anyone that helps them achieve their goals is someone they listen to … intently. That's the chord that ABATE has struck. How did this happen? With the backing of a hardy core of volunteers, we dropped motorcycling almost entirely from the conversation. Instead, we approached candidates with a simple offer: "You support adult choice on helmets, and we pound campaign signs in your district." We got them to see ABATE, not as sniveling beggars looking for table scraps, but as providers of a valuable and essential service. We delivered during the fall campaign season, and they saw it happen. Yes, there's much more to the picture than helmet laws. There are dozens … if not hundreds … of other biker issues, ranging from the most critical to the absurdly trivial. But show me a legislator that supports adult choice, and I'll show you a legislator that will back us on 99% of our other issues. And that backing spills onto other issues of personal freedom and individual liberty as well. When we walk into our legislators' offices on January 20, we will NOT be confrontational, threatening, or angry. Who wants to deal with that? Just ask yourself: Would I rather spend time with someone who's pleasant or offensive? Interesting or boring? To the point or all over the map? Honest or sneaky? Keep these questions in mind when you rap on their door, and everything will take care of itself. No, being unpleasant isn't the ABATE way. We're happy that we're on track, and eager to help our legislative allies get where they want to go. Make it clear that nobody ever got kicked out of office for allowing helmet choice. And that we LOVE to pound signs for pro-freedom candidates. Our opponents, the safety bureaucrats and the insurance front men, will NEVER pound campaign signs. But we sure will! For most of us, the helmet law is what motivated us to join ABATE. And it's the reason ABATE came into existence in the first place. It's our critical first step on the path to freedom. "We the People" are the only ones that can take us there. See you in Richmond.
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