For The Common Good

How many of you remember the good old days, back in say, 2008 when the campaign was heating up and the Democratic contender called for a "Citizen's Army"? There wasn't much made of it in the mainstream media, but there were a few bloggers out there who recall the speech.

One thing I have learned in my short time of watching the political process in action, and especially the progressive movement, is that the left is a very patient organization. They have realized that change takes time and that patience is indeed a virtue. They have also realized that the best, most lasting change is that which comes one small step at a time, and which isn't even noticed.

Let's fast forward to February 2012. I received an email regarding a new program being started in the Tri-Community area called "Citizen Emergency Response Training" (CERT). Ostensibly (good word) this is so citizens can respond to emergencies in their neighborhoods such as the tornado we had in June or the snowstorm in October, things like that.

I recall another email about this, back in the summer (I really need to start saving these things) in which as part of this people from various neighborhoods would be coming around to collect information from residents regarding exactly what kind or "resources" each household would have, for example a portable generator or maybe canned food. Again, on the surface a laudable goal.

But let's think back to our current resident in the White House and his speech calling for a "citizen army". Was this term just a poor choice of words? Or was it something else? Hard to say with this man, but it sure does sound like there just might be some other agenda behind all this.

Am I saying this is part of some master plan to take over the country, to take away our freedoms? No, but it certainly is something to think about. As I said above, the left and the Progressive movement certainly does have a way of sneaking things by you in the name of the "Common Good".