Heads up! A Personal rant is about to take place.

For the most part, I keep my thoughts and opinions to myself and patiently wait to see how things play out. But on occasion, I reach my limit, and it’s like there needs to be a release valve opened. Well, guess what, today is the day, and this is the subtask where I want to let it rip.

First, these are my observations, thoughts, and feelings – there might be some facts, and I’ll be sure and note those; otherwise, this is just me talking, some might say rambling, some may say ranting.

Firstly – it’s been a shitty week. Charlie Kirk’s assassination was shocking and weighs heavily on my heart and mind. Those who were so bold and evil as to openly celebrate a public political assassination made it so much worse. And it made me wonder, who in my city or in my nearby circle feels so much vitriol that they would strike out to hurt me because we don’t align politically. Let me tell ya, I’ve been eyeballin’ everyone…..

Secondly, I continue to observe the use of the term “grassroots” – my first Substack discusses the term and concept of a “grassroots activist” – I find it funny that those who often cheerlead the establishment actions are now calling themselves grassroots, the irony……see here’s the deal folks, by its very nature, grassroots means decentralized. And I know this concept bothers people – where’s the structure? Who’s leading? How do we know what to do next? I’ve been presented with these questions.

While there is not a centralized structure, there is most certainly communication and strategy in play by grassroots citizens. I can’t even begin to describe the amount – but it is most certainly there, every day, by some really dedicated, smart, articulate, and well-funded individuals! And the group grows stronger and wiser by the minute. See, that’s ultimately why the term “grassroots” is being hijacked – it MEANS something, it connects with people, it has power – and that's why those in established groups are grabbing on to it – don’t let them.

They can certainly support the grassroots and work with the grassroots, but if you are championing the system on the hill, you ain’t grassroots. And ya know what, that’s ok. You have your sandbox, and we have ours. Can we share toys? You bet ya. But stay in your sandbox cause you sandbox has poop in it – you use it for the poop brownie bills – ya know the ones where there are some good things but then there’s one or two really big turds and we are told hey we have to compromise for the sake of “unity” so shut up and eat the poop brownie and like it!

That’s another thing that gets me, all the talk about compromise – one, we shouldn’t have to compromise as a super majority, but for the sake of argument, let’s discuss compromise, which I take as meaning that both sides must give something up and both sides have to mutually agree upon the terms. What I see is us as conservatives giving in and giving up and jumping in bed with the other side, in the hopes of making some deals in the future. It's a dirty game on the hill, the power and status is intoxicating and seductive. I get it.

And if anything, that is exactly why they need grassroots citizens knocking on their doors, calling the office, and sending emails. It’s to help keep them grounded and centered on the human factor of their constituents. Otherwise, it’s just lobbyists at their doors, telling them how great they are and how they want to work together, and maybe a perk or two to sweeten the deal, tropical island, anyone?

I wish I knew the answers and how all the puzzle pieces fall together – but I don’t – what I do know, is We The People have a lot more power, insight and financial significance then we often realize and give ourselves credit for – you may not see it – but as Act For Missouri has gone to various groups across the state and had numerous conversations, we see it.

The journey is long, and there are certainly days when I think this is ridiculous, I quit. Give me a cup of coffee and let me sit on my porch looking at the trees, listening to the squirrels run through the color-changing leaves.

Then, I look at my social media feed, giving me an update, another call for “unity”, another proposal for government expansion and overreach, or one more pitch to rally the folks with the accompanying ask for money. These are all attempts to pull grassroots into the establishment sandbox, an attempt to co-opt true grassroots efforts into their own established political structure and narrative – just smile and say no thanks, I like the grassroots sandbox I’m in and I’m happy to talk, discuss, maybe even work together. But if you’re an establishment group or champion the establishment, you ain’t grassroots…….

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