My fellow Americans,

     I have spent the last few months traveling around this beautiful nation and talking with the proud citizens. However, what I have learned did not inspire me. It seems that most Americans have decided they can do nothing to change the direction of our government and have accepted their inevitable loss of rights.

     For too long we have enjoyed the freedom and luxury of this great republic without replenishing the fire and passion, the fuel which enables the continuance of our liberty. Many have prospered at the expense of others and the concept of equal right for all has been manipulated to benefit those in power. The spirit of the people, suppressed by the corrupt, is no longer an integral part of our government, and thus true liberty has died.

     "Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual."

     Our government, designed to be "Of the PEOPLE, For the PEOPLE and By the PEOPLE, has become one controlled by the interest of corporations and the wealthy.

The voice of the people is ignored by those we trust to represent us, and yet we continue to elect them to office.

     "The spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless. A single zealot may commence persecutor, and better men be his victims. It can never be too often repeated that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest and ourselves united. From the conclusion of [their] war [for independence, a nation begins] going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to effect a due respect for their rights. The shackles, therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of [that] war will remain on [them] long, will be made heavier and heavier, till [their] rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion."

     It may well be too late to revive our rights and prevent their permanent expiration. Mere bitching amongst ourselves will be futile and only serves to expedite the demise of our liberty. We can no longer allow the extremes of either party to keep us from uniting towards the most important cause of all, the continuance of our republic.

     "To secure these [inalienable] rights [to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness], governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed... Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

     Now, I am not suggesting that our form of government be changed, on the contrary. Our form of government, as designed, is the very best form of government, when the people remain vigilant and continue to participate in its processes. What I am suggesting is that the PEOPLE take control of the government, first by the greatest turn out of voters ever witnessed and second by continued participation in the process of government by staying informed and holding our representatives accountable. Representatives at all levels must be made aware that WE THE PEOPLE make the decisions regarding the government of this nation.

     Your decision on how to vote is one only you can make, and I would be completely out of line to attempt to persuade you. It is through the diversity of the people, and how they view issues, that we are able to ascertain which ideas and candidates appeal to the needs of THE MAJORITY.

      "Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and that, I am sure, is the ultimate and sincere object of us both. We both value too much the freedom of opinion sanctioned by our Constitution, not to cherish its exercise even where in opposition to ourselves."

      One of the biggest detriments to our form of government, and inevitably our way of life, is the effect of radical extremism from those on both ends of the political spectrum. It is these radical groups who drive a wedge between us and inhibit necessary compromise.

     "In every country where man is free to think and to speak, differences of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection of reason; but these differences when permitted, as in this happy country, to purify themselves by free discussion, are but as passing clouds overspreading our land transiently and leaving our horizon more bright and serene."

     Cast aside the radical opinions of the conspiracy theorists of the left and the self righteous, holier than thou extremist right wing. Use your own moral compass and make your decision based on facts and reason.

     But please, make a decision and vote. This right is the most important and most influential tool we have as citizens. If we can get a true majority of citizens to vote, we will hear the voice of the majority and become aware of the issues concerning that majority. With those concerns in mind we can then direct our representatives towards the necessary resolutions.

     "In every free and deliberating society, there must, from the nature of man, be opposite parties, and violent dissensions and discords; and one of these, for the most part, must prevail over the other for a longer or shorter time."

     It is never necessary to allow your government to be controlled by a radical minority or tyrannical entity. The direction of our government can easily be controlled when the majority, the people, participate.

     Don't be bullied by corporate America or the radical extremists. Stand up as an individual and vote based on the facts rather than the perception of someone else who may have ulterior motives.

     This is your country and your government.

     Take it back America!

     Take it back!

All Power To The People!

Sincerely and Respectfully,

Thomas Jefferson