Posted on Sep 7, 2022 in
On the Porch with Patti
By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
This is your call to arms: Find your people now and show your love. An election is a terrible thing to waste.
“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country.” Those of us who took typing class in school remember this phrase well developed as a typing test by Charles E. Weller in 1867. Seems that this phrase is 70 characters long, which was the entire length of one complete line on a typewriter making it the perfect typing test.
Of course before Weller, it was also a call to arms attributed to one of the heroes of the American Revolution, Patrick Henry. Henry was one of our founding fathers and a gifted orator. He got America fired up for our fight for independence from Great Britain in 1775 with his speech to the Virginia legislature with his famous words, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”
Now I’m no Patrick Henry. First and foremost, I don’t need the wig. I don’t have 17 children. Lord knows I can barely handle my three precious babies – Kassidi, Kolton and Mr. Kaminski – as it is. But it could be argued that ol’ Patrick and Patti share some similarities. Patrick was known for his inflammatory rhetoric. He said what he thought, to the point of being accused of treason. Well, now that my give a damn has broke, I live for inflammatory rhetoric. Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt and don it proudly. My latest purchase? A t-shirt that says, “The Hell I Won’t.” I think Patrick would have approved.
Patrick has been described as a gifted orator. It’s been said I have a way with words. I can wax poetic as the occasion requires, and I’m quite popular at your garden variety roasts. So be forewarned: If you invite me to your birthday party, be ready for a facetious tribute as I’ll be locked and loaded.
My purpose in this walk down history’s lane is to channel our friend Patrick’s enthusiasm and get our friends in Fort Bend fired up, because frankly, even though it’s only the first of September, I’m already at a rolling boil. In 45 days, exactly what our founding fathers fought and died for – “Give me liberty, or give me death” – begins right here in our backyard. We have the freedom of choice – to choose who represents us right here in our county where we live, do business and raise our children – because of men like Patrick Henry, and many of our friends and neighbors don’t come to the party. Well, I’m here to tell you, you’re invited, so get yourself together – starting now.
Now is the time for all good men – and especially women since we’re more timely, proactive and so much cuter – to come to the aid of our COUNTY. Not country – county. Now is the time to look at who is running for our local offices, and get to know these candidates. Most importantly, get out and vote during early voting October 24th – November 4th.
Why am I blowing you up now about early voting 45 days from now you ponder? Because now is the time to do your homework by finding the candidates who share your values, goals and principals. These are your people. Support your people by putting signs in your yard and telling your friends and neighbors about them.
Every election I am asked who are my people. Since my babies were truly babies, I have been asked that question, and I share if asked. My list is not party-specific. I have never voted straight ticket. I research, ask the uncomfortable questions, which should be really interesting now that my give a damn has broke, meet the candidates and find my people. I encourage you to do the same, and start now, so you can be prepared to support your people.
Our local officials are the ones who touch our lives every day, but our local elections are often overlooked. Now is the time; this is your call to arms. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
Follow Patti Parish-Kaminski on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OnThePorchWithPatti/ and on Instagram at instagram.com/ontheporchwithpatti/.
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