“Nothing Will Change Until You, the Citizen, Step Up to the Plate”
For too long, many of us have been led to believe that our State Governor or the President of the United States “makes the laws.” That is not how our system works. In our Constitutional Republic, neither the President nor the Governor creates law. Their primary role is to enforce the laws passed by the legislature, not to write them. They can propose ideas, advocate policies, or veto bills, but the actual power to make law rests with the Legislature.
So where does law come from? From the legislature — your state legislature and the United States Congress. These are the bodies elected by you to represent your voice.
Here’s how the process works:
A bill can be introduced by a member of the legislature — and that idea can originate with you, a group of citizens, or even a lobbyist. You meet with your representative, present your proposal, and if they agree, they draft and introduce a bill.
That bill is debated in committees, amended, and voted on. If it passes one chamber, it moves to the other (House to Senate or vice versa).
If both chambers pass it in identical form, it’s sent to the Governor or President. They can sign it into law or veto it. If vetoed, the legislature may override the veto with enough votes.
That is the legislative process. It is designed so that laws come from you, through your representatives.
But here’s the danger: when the people do not get involved — when you don’t show up, when you don’t pay attention, when you don’t call your legislators — a vacuum opens up. And that vacuum will be filled by those who are organized, funded, and motivated. Lobbyists and special interests will step in and draft the bills, whisper in the ears of your representatives, and shape laws to serve their goals instead of yours.
This is why your participation matters. Silence equals surrender.
Our Founders tried to prevent this by embedding the principle of separation of powers in our government. Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Powers are split among three distinct branches. The legislature makes laws, the executive enforces the law, and the judiciary interprets the law. This prevents any one branch — or one person — from controlling everything. It’s a safeguard against tyranny.
But even the best-designed system cannot protect liberty without an informed and active citizenry. That’s you. That’s us. Folks its time you figured out who your elected Representatives are and press them on the issues.
If you want laws that protect your rights and reflect your values, you cannot wait for a Governor or President. You cannot wait for someone else to fight for you. You must step up to the plate, organize, educate, and advocate. Because nothing will change until you, the citizen, step up to the plate.
Let’s step up — and take our Republic back.
By: Mr. Mong
