Election Results: Let Those Who Ride Decide
By FastFred Ruddock
At the time of this writing, November 10, 2006,
it appears we have successfully weathered the 2006 election
cycle. Once again the voter block of ABATE of South Carolina
seems to have also made the deciding difference in the race
for Lieutenant Governor. My lone disappointment was the lack
of ABATE members present at the victory parties held after the
polls closed. Only two of us attended the Republican Party Victory
Party in Charleston. I know at least one more ABATE member attended
the Republican Victory Party in Columbia and suspect two other
ABATE members may have attended though I have no confirmation.
Elected officials are a plenty at these victory parties and
very approachable much more so than at other events or meetings.
I had an enjoyable time at the victory party in Charleston where
I had some interesting conversations with several of my elected
officials. It now seems several members of the General Assembly
are subscribed to the Biker Ezine. If you have not yet joined
the ezine I urge you to do so at BikerEzine.com/join.htm.
Thank you for voting but keep in mind that voting
is the least of your civic duties as a citizen of our republic.
Whether your candidate won or lost it is your obligation to
keep your elected officials educated on your issues of interest
and aware of your positions on those issues. Silence is considered
consent at our statehouse. Remember Plato’s admonition:
"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs
is to be ruled by evil men."
When you ask your elected officials to do something
be very carefully to articulate exactly what you wish to be
done or written. You may get what you ask for so make sure it
is really what you want. Often times laws or amendments have
unintended or unexpected consequences. One example of an unexpected
consequence is the first referendum that not only defines marriage
as between one man and one woman but also ends common law marriage
in South Carolina. Another example of an unexpected consequence
on the part of voters is the fourth referendum that will result
in higher taxes for most citizens of South Carolina while at
the same time reducing property tax for a few of South Carolina’s
richest citizens. Please do your homework and carefully research
all angles of issues prior to requesting action from the general
assembly. Thomas Jefferson wisely left us these words of wisdom:
“Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself.”
Be careful not to inadvertently invite an all
rider helmet law. I suspect this statement is likely to raise
the irk of some of our non-riding members with no dog in this
fight and nothing to lose. Some have already insanely accused
me of lacking courage due to my prudent use of discretion and
foresight. Those who know me are well aware I am not easily
intimidated or controlled by individuals or even unjust laws
such as the helmet laws of our neighboring states. However most
motorcyclists seem unwilling or lack the internal fortitude
to oppose unjust helmet law with acts of civil disobedience.
I suggest we shrewdly defend our hard earned liberty to ride
lidless in South Carolina without artificial consequences. I
advise my fellow riders to use their best judgment and be weary
of those that do not share our lifestyle but are yet outspoken
in their attempts to hijack ABATE from its purpose of opposing
totalitarian enactments that seek to restrict the liberties
of motorcyclists. It would be an awful shame if the original
definition of ABATE were lost and we became just another bunch
of safety and awareness nuts with no balls in South Carolina.
ABATE was formed to let those who ride decide.
I suggest only those who ride should decide the direction and
polices of ABATE.
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