Public Support

From President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate—we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

From President John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

Two Great Leaders, Two Inspirational Thoughts

Both leaders addressed the fragility of freedom. Our great nation was created to stand firm against tyrannical rule, taxation without representation and oppression. These freedoms created by our founding fathers have been challenged but still prevail after 250 years. Lincoln and Kennedy shared a vision of freedom and acknowledged to sacrifices that are needed to preserve freedoms.

Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was a dedication speech, honoring fallen soldiers that had given their life for freedom by preserving a nation that was on a path to a great divide.

Kennedy's Inaugural Speech asked a fearful public to preserve freedom by defending a nation against the external threats of a common enemy, Communism.

Today, our challenges freedoms are under attack again as is the symbol of hope for the world. The individual challenges that Lincoln and Kennedy faced have merged into a common enemy that is stealthy.

Our once great Democratic Party is now divided. Communism is masquerading as socialism, which has become an acceptable solution to some Democrats seeking to elevate the status of the poor and unappreciated. Contrary to Kennedy's plea for citizen commitment to freedom, a growing number of Democrats are asking for government solutions and are willing to give up freedom to achieve equality.

Today's battlefield for freedom will not be bloody. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address was dedicating a cemetery on a battlefield, where over 50,000 soldiers died during a three-day battle.

Our nation can be divided by allowing elected leaders to withhold information from the public. In a democracy, tyranny can be achieved over time by series subtle changes that erode freedoms until the freedom to resist is lost. Consider the following description of Wikipedia's boiling frog story from September 2026.

The boiling frog story is generally offered as a metaphor cautioning people to be aware of even gradual change lest they suffer eventual undesirable consequences. It may be invoked in support of a slippery slope argument as a caution against creeping normality.

Join the Cause for County Transparency

You may be able to help me with a case for action. I need justification to gain legislative support for a new Arizona law that will establish a process to review citizen complaints for governance gaps and implement corrective actions when appropriate. The problem becomes more significant with more examples. How can you help?

Send me details about a frustrating encounter with your county government. With your consent, I would use your unpleasant experience as data in support of a case for action. Your help will be needed to ensure your governance gap is a deviation from a standard. If you dive into this website, you will gain knowledge of the standards for good governance. 

You can help keep this idea in front of your Arizona Senator and Representatives. How can you help?

Following the November 2026 election, send your Senator and Representatives a message. Tell them you want to hold County government accountable to its Citizens. Ask them to support the proposed Bill.

The effort to get the bill approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor is being delayed until after the November 2026 election to allow you to vote for the candidates that you feel will support this effort. The delay will give us some time to draft the bill. The sense of urgency begins after the elections because the Legislature begins their annual review of Legislative initiatives in January 2027.