Where's the Line?

Ask

1. Welcome back! So, we learned in the “Study Where’s the Line?” video that our Founders organized the United States as a “Compound Republic.” This means that the People divided constitutional powers between states and the federal government so that they would control each other. The Constitution was designed this way to protect the rights of the people and to keep the national government from gobbling up more power than the People delegated to it.
2. Then, we learned in the “Share Where’s the Line?” video that less than 50 people willing to give a few hours a week really can and do make the difference in a state legislative district who is elected as their representative and what policies that representative will fight for.
3. Now, it’s time to look at the power when we “Ask” our representatives at every level “Where’s the Line?”
4. In the “Study” video we talked about how most of us never learned at any level of school about what a “Compound Republic” is and the duty of our state representatives to, as the Founders said, “erect barriers against the encroachments of the national authority” because they are the “sure guardians of the People’s liberty.” This includes most of our state and federal representatives, and the lawyers and staff who advise them.
5. Could you imagine looking at someone and commanding that they immediately be two feet taller? Isn’t that what we do sometimes when we expect even our representatives to be “two feet taller” in their understanding of our “Compound Republic” and the essential “external checks” that the states are to exercise over the federal government growing out of control?
6. This is why we need to “ASK” our representatives at every level to carefully consider “Where’s the Line, America?” Where’s the line to what the federal government can and should do and what must and should be done by the states?
7. Remember, under our unique constitutional system of government, the first question is not about liberal vs. conservative, right vs. left, or republican vs. democrat; it’s about “Where to Decide” (at the state or local level, or the federal level) before “What to Decide.”
8. Also, simple questions are the easiest way to teach. Whether you are a Christian or not, this is how Jesus taught most often, and many still consider him one of the greatest teachers ever.
9. So, here’s how it works. You can find any number of opportunities to meet personally with your representatives. If they are local or state representatives, give them a call or send them an email. If you are sure to let them know you are their constituent and are calling on behalf of a few other people, they should call you back. Many times, even national representatives will return your call if you mention you have a group of people who would like to meet with them and ask a few questions (especially during election session).
10. Ask them when they plan to hold meetings with the people they represent or when might be a good time to visit them or have them come visit you and your friends and neighbors. Don’t be afraid to be politely persistent. Remember, they applied for the job to represent you!
11. Bring up one of the many examples of the federal government crossing the “constitutional line” of the states or the local governments like Washington deciding from Washington whether or not Mrs. Ford can continue her bake sale program with her special education students in Tooele, Utah and ask “If Washington can do that, what can’t it do? Where’s the Line?” And then, just listen and ask again (politely) if you don’t get a specific answer (remember they can’t be “two feet taller” overnight).
12. If your representative doesn’t seem to really get it. Don’t get frustrated. Simply hand your representative a copy of the Where’s the Line, America” book and flyer and invite him or her to read them. Ask them to have a look at the Where’s the Line, America? website and see when you can follow up with them about what they think they can do to “erect barriers at the constitutional line” that can’t be crossed by the federal government.
13. Remember, asking is teaching, not arguing.
14. When you find representatives who understand (or are willing to learn) Where’s the Line?, find out how you can help them “erect barriers at the constitutional line?” and share this with your Multi-Level Liberty group that we talked about in the “Share” video.
15. And then, just like it says on the shampoo bottle: “lather, rinse, repeat”, until you have met with all your representatives. It really doesn’t take that long to meet your city representatives, county (or other) representative, two state representatives, and two federal representatives. You can even delegate this among your friends and neighbors, (your Multi-Level Liberty group).
16. You have been “studying” and “sharing” “Where’s the Line?” and have begun the process of “asking”, teaching and helping your representatives come to understand “Where’s the Line, America?” The final step is to “Commit” any other time, talents, resources, or relationships you can to build the national dialogue about “Where’s the Line, America?”