I used to think that voting every two years was enough to fulfill my civic duty. And every time I submitted my ballot, my cynicism would jade my view of what I had just done because in my heart and mind, I was certain that my vote didn’t really mean anything and wouldn’t make a difference. I believed that there were powers behind the scenes pulling the strings so that no matter how I and my family, friends, and neighbors voted, those power brokers would get their way.

Last year I had an epiphany that changed my worldview irrevocably. I had a strong impression that I needed to get more involved politically. Five years ago a dear friend introduced me to the whole concept of the caucus. She called me up and invited me to attend the local caucus so I could vote and I responded by asking, “What’s a caucus?” She very patiently explained to me how the caucus works and how it is the epitome of grassroots politics. After that I dutifully attended two caucus meetings every two years and cast my votes for state and county delegates and precinct officers. Precinct was a new word to me but through understanding it, brought me a renewed faith and hope in the entire political process.

They say “All politics is local.” And so it is. The precinct is the foundation of what happens from that level up. And understanding how you can make a difference in the political process at the precinct level is the essence of “the ground game” of political grass roots organization.

So when I had my epiphany I knew I had to do something more than vote. When the 2008 caucus was about a month away, I had another impression that I needed to run as a state delegate. I made it my goal to remove our incumbent Congressman (who happens to live in the same town as I) from office and as I knocked on doors and made phone calls putting my name in front of potential caucus attendees, I told them so. When I was nominated at the caucus I was asked to give a two-minute speech and answer questions after. I don’t remember much of what I said, except I reiterated my desire to remove the sitting Congressman from office and that I had an honest desire to make a contribution to my community in a meaningful way, and this was the best way I knew I could help.

I was elected and then spent the next few weeks before the State Convention attending the meet and greets of all the potential candidates. I took copious notes and asked many questions of the candidates. I observed their demeanor as they answered difficult questions and looked deeply into their eyes to ensure sincerity and purity of motives. Then I made my assessment and made more phone calls and organized cottage to report my findings and determine the “will of the people” based on my assessment.

The State Convention was unlike any other event I had ever attended up to that moment and I truly felt that I was inside the belly of the beast. And what a lesson in politics I received that day alone! At the end of the day, my chosen candidate had missed removing our incumbent by a mere nine votes. That evening I made up my mind that I could do even more than merely be a state delegate and I donated money to Jason Chaffetz’s campaign through PayPal and then sent Jason an email offering to help with his campaign. Again I received an amazing education in the political process and learned just how much one person could do to make a difference. First you just have to care enough!

I won’t bore you with the detail of what I did specifically to help the campaign, but five and a half weeks later, Jason was the Republican nominee for US Congress, 3rd District in the State of Utah. And besides interacting on a regular basis with Jason and seeing what a high quality man of integrity he is, I had the amazing experience of connecting with scores of like-minded people who shared my values and my passion for making a difference in the world by getting involved politically. Now that the election is over and Jason is our new US Congressman beginning in January of 2009, many of those same people are still working hard on effecting change through being involved in the political process at both the precinct level and the legislative level. You can also get involved and make a difference. Even if you’re not a citizen of the United States, you can turn your non vote into ten votes or more by talking to people and helping them understand their civic duty while promoting your cause and/or candidate. That’s the power we have as individuals banding together. If you also share the American values of liberty, freedom and financial success, I invite you to join our discussion group, Third District Conservatives by clicking on this email link and putting the word “Subscribe” in the subject line of the email and we’ll be happy to have you join our discussion. I still believe there are power brokers who work behind the scenes to have their way, but now I’m one of them. Get involved today in order to preserve our children’s tomorrows.