During the excitement of this past Christmas and concurrent holidays, I took time to reflect and count my many blessings.  I hope you had time to do the same.  In the Irving Berlin musical “White Christmas,” there’s a song that goes “When I’m worried, and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep.  And then I fall asleep counting my blessings.”

In the rough and tumble competition of politics, it’s easy to get frustrated, hurt feelings, cynical, worried, arrogant, intransigent, angry, etc.  Thank heavens (and the relevant legislatures) for holidays, what I call monuments on a calendar, when we can take time to rest and reflect on life.  We have time to relax, reconnect with our families and our God, and recalibrate our relationships, attitudes and goals for the future.

Peace on earth is a lofty and worthwhile goal that begins with each one of us.  The peace we attain between ourselves and our God, and between ourselves and the people closest to us, is a building block for making the wider world a better place.  When we understand the freedom that can be attained through repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation, we can sing along with Vince Gill: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.  Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.”

“In as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.”  (Romans 12:18)

In the wider world where we are frequently challenged by aggression and it isn’t up to us, there are two ways to restore peace: peace through victory (we get our way) or peace through surrender (we acquiesce or change our minds).  I favor the definition that says peace is not the absence of conflict but rather the presence of justice.  Justice means getting what we rightfully deserve, “the assignment of merited awards or punishments.”  Therefore when we see an injustice, i.e. someone not getting what they deserve or getting what they don’t, and if we want to maintain justice, we must choose to fight (peace through victory).  The Constitution of the United States tells us that we are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

So when we see…

innocent life being denied, or
freedom of conscience being denied, or
the means of individuals to defend themselves being denied (such as when weapons are banned from city council meetings or bullied school children are not permitted to fight back against the bully), or
the honest earnings of industrious citizens being confiscated and redistributed to the lazy and undeserving, or
our national debt deliberately increased to the point of destabilizing our democracy,

The Wyoming Constitution, Article 1, Section 1 reads

“Power inherent in the people.  All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness; for the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.”

As free people we have the right, and hence the obligation (“Render to Caesar”) to alter our government when it’s hostile or unresponsive to our peace, safety and happiness.   That means electing the right people to office who will uphold our rights.  We can effectively do that by organizing around a political party, linking up with other like-minded individuals in political action committees, and working to convince others to vote right.

So, I invite all like-minded voters to organize around the Natrona County Republican Party.  Keep an eye on our website (www.natronagop.com) and calendar, follow us on FaceBook (Natrona County Republican Party), attend our events and donate some of your time, talent and treasure to the cause.  Do what you know to do.

And then together we can advance true justice and increase peace as it was meant to be.

Sincerely,

MILES DAHLBY, Chairman
January 9, 2012