Our first and greatest responsibility

You probably know people who complain about the state of our country, or our state, or county, or city. Yes, there is a lot to be irritated about, but is it enough to just store up that frustration or can we get the complainers to take the next step toward a solution?

When given the opportunity to discuss, develop and present solutions, we often hear, “Why bother? Nothing will change.” Unfortunately, too many people just don’t want to do anything to address the source of frustration. But there is an “easy button” for those folks. As citizens of this once amazingly beautiful republic, our first and greatest responsibility as citizens is to vote.

Let’s all get out and vote, and through that, define what we want in our representatives at the local, state and national levels. It’s through the all-important right, responsibility and act of voting that we can make a difference in our communities, schools, state and nation.

So, if we all get out and vote, and get our neighbors, families and friends to do it too, we won’t have to hear any more about what this current “monarchy” is doing or going to do to us through inordinate governance, inappropriate if not illegal search and seizure, sophomoric and destructive economic policies and practices, illegal open borders and ignorance of our constitution and so much more.

Will you join me to enthusiastically work for a renewal of government and leadership in which we can have faith? I’m not willing to sit and grumble about how bad things are because I know I can make a difference and grab the opportunity to make things better by, at very least, getting out and voting.

If we want to save the republic that God blessed us with, then we need to define ourselves and our representatives not by storing up our frustrations, but by standing up and getting to work. It starts with voting.

Let’s not be “N.A.T.O” – No Action Talk Only.

Here are some ideas for action:

VOTE -- If not already, register to vote, then mark you calendar. Texas law requires eligible voters to register by the 30th day before Election Day. The voter registration deadline for the Nov 8, 2022. Election is Oct 11, 2022. Registering to vote in Texas is easy! So long as you are eligible, you will be able to register to vote in your county of residence to make your voice heard in local, state and federal elections. Start a new voter registration application here. https://www.votetexas.gov/register- to-vote/index.html VOTE EARLY -- Early voting is set to run October 24 – November 4th; then election day is November 8. Check these sites for help -- https:// www.votetexas.gov/ and http://www. sos.state.tx.us CHECK YOUR REPRESENTATIVES – Are the people representing you doing what they said they would? Do they know your preferences? Write to them often but succinctly. If you have a concern, give them ideas for solutions.

ISSUES/CONCERNS – Here are some ideas: Out of control development is a key question to begin with in Hill Country. Do you want Kendall and Comal Counties to turn into unrestricted developments, or do you want to keep the unique character we have? Are your City Council members simply following what staff members tell them, or doing their own homework? Are County Commissioners doing everything that law allows to control development? How are our representatives at the local and state levels controlling water usage? How about a ESDs (Texas Emergency Services Districts)? Do you want yet another layer of government making decisions about land acquisition and use, and tax levies?

SOLUTIONS – We have representative governments at all levels. Ensure those representatives know what you want, what you and you community need. Those representatives don’t know everything about everything, so give them your ideas to address your concerns.

Don’t fall into the “N.A.T.O” trap. i.e., don’t just talk about it, but bring concerns, ideas and potential solutions to the table. And get out and vote.

Art Humphries is a local Republican.