I recently heard Aurora City Councilman Ryan Frazier say “My mother was my hero.” He noted, “She worked two jobs to provide for three boys. We didn’t have much, but we had each other. She instilled in me and my brothers a sense of ‘do your part,’ do what’s right, make a life for yourselves. I’ve carried that with me throughout my life.” (March 1, 2009 Gadsden Rally www.Gadsdensoc.com).
I was profoundly impacted by his story and immediately felt a sense of camaraderie with this single mom who struggled to teach her boys personal responsibility and persistence. Moreover, I was deeply impressed that Councilman Frazier credited his mother with giving him the foundation for success.
Our great nation was built upon the very philosophy that everyone must do their part. Naturally, hard work and tenacity are foundational to this ideal, but of equal importance, is honoring the freedoms that we have in this country that allow us to do our part in the first place. The founding fathers, although they disagreed on many issues, indisputably believed that when individuals are given the freedom to pursue their own best interests, those citizens will rise to the occasion, dream big dreams, create new business, generate innovative enterprise and support the free market. The brilliance and wisdom in this value system is the expectation that everyone must do their part and the complete faith that when given the opportunity and liberty to act accordingly, individuals will indeed do their part. The society that embraces such liberty will prosper in economic development, innovative technology and intellectual growth.
Councilman Frazier later acknowledged “In many ways, I would be a very untraditional candidate for this office. [Reference his potential candidacy for US Senate in 2010] But in order to move the state forward, it’s going to take new ideas – and I think I have a lot to offer.” (March 20, 09www.politico.com) Indeed, he is not the “average” politician. I contend it’s because his hero; his mother didn’t raise him to accept the mediocre performance of elected officials who want to over-regulate, over-tax and consequently stifle our personal freedom. In order for us to do our part, we must be free to do so, and that can only happen when our constitutional right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is non-negotiable.
At the risk of mixing personal with politics, I will resurrect a phrase from the feminist movement; “The personal IS the political.” (Carol Hanisch, 1969 Redstockings Collection) It takes strength of conviction to do one’s part and it requires courage and sacrifice. I have two teenage sons, one with brain cancer and the other autistic. As a mother, I strive to teach my sons that everyone must do their part. The challenges and obstacles they face each day are immense and sometimes seem insurmountable, yet the confidence one gains from persisting through difficulties, from standing up for liberty and taking responsibility for the outcome of one’s life far outweigh the battle wounds one incurs along the way.
To be described by one’s offspring as a “hero” is every parent’s dream and truly there is no higher compliment. Thank you Councilman Frazier for telling your story. I aspire to the example of your mother and hope I too will have the courage of conviction to not only DO my part, but instruct my sons to do their part, do what’s right and make a life for themselves.
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well spoken! you certainly have the ability to inspire!