LITTLE ROCK – Republican United States Senate candidate Col. Conrad Reynolds (US Army, Ret.) today released the text of his remarks given as part of the 912 Rally at the Arkansas State Capitol:
RESTORE OUR VOICE
Col. Conrad Reynolds (US Army, Ret.)
September 12, 2009
State Capitol, Little Rock
(As prepared)
Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow Arkansans, fellow Patriots, good afternoon.
My name is Col. Conrad Reynolds. I am a 29-year veteran of the United States Army who served in the war zones of Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. I am from Conway and I am a Republican candidate for Senate running against Sen. Blanche Lincoln.
I say this to you now to get the party label out of the way. Today is not about Republicans or Democrats, for there are many from each party who have ignored us in the past and continue to do so today. It is not about Red or Blue. It is not about Conservative, Libertarian or Liberal. Today is about being an American who asks that their voice be heard. In fact, this event is the most American thing any of us can do – no matter what some people serving in Washington say.
I am very proud to have the opportunity to join with you today as we stand united with Americans all across this nation in a collective voice. This day, the day after the 8th anniversary of 9/11 (a day which united all Americans), we choose to raise our voices and demand to be heard. America is the envy of the world due to our freedoms.
On September 11, 2001, our freedoms were attacked.
On September 12, 2001, our freedoms remained strong.
On September 12, 2009, we choose to renew those freedoms by coming here and restoring our collective voice – a voice that our elected leaders have ignored.
As Americans, it is our birth-right to offer dissent. Our freedom to stand firm and question our government is what continues to make our nation, and our people, exceptional.
The fact that I stand with you today – without fear of reprisal – on the steps of our state’s Capitol to participate in today’s uniting of fellow citizens is a testament to the power and blessings that we enjoy as Americans.
We must never lose sight of who we are and what it means to be in a country where the people have a voice – a country that dictators and tyrants seek to destroy.
I have given most of my life to defending us from those who wish to destroy our way of life. I know I am not the only one here today who has worn the uniform of the US military. Throughout our history, America’s men and women have answered the call of duty and stood fast by their post. We are here because of them. Our way of life is protected because of them. And our government exists because of them. I ask that you remember that fact and remind our leaders of it, because we must do right by our veterans – they are the heroes of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
To all my military brothers and sisters who are here, I salute you and I ask you to raise your hand so that we can take a moment to recognize you.
Now these are not the only patriots in our midst today. Every one of you happens to be standing at your post – you have answered your call to duty. You have a rank that supersedes all. You outrank presidents, senators and congressmen; governors, generals, officers and enlisted. You are American citizens and today I stand with you to restore our voice!
The power of the citizen is guaranteed in our Constitution, which announced to the world in 1787 that this nation is exceptional – for it is “we the people” who possess the power to form a “more perfect union.”
It was our founders who first brought about “change.” As you know, this administration likes to use that word a lot. But it is not President Obama who brings change. It is not Senator Lincoln who brings change. And it is not one of the many “czars” running around Washington who brings change.
Change comes from you. And it can occur at any time and any place. On every Election Day, you renew the country with change. On other days, change is found symbolically; much like today, where we and our friends across this country have not only become the symbol of change, but we also represent the power to create change.
What kind of change are we asking for?
For me, the word “change” doesn’t define what I believe we really need from our government. I believe the word we need is “restore.”
We must restore our voice in Washington, as well as in that building behind me.
We must restore a government which will listen to our voice and make it a part of all debates.
We must restore jobs to our friends who are out of work by making smart investments which actually stimulate the economy instead of being a trough for pork.
We must restore the pride of our citizens who want the dignity of knowing that what they have was earned and not handed to them by the government.
We must restore opportunity in this country by lowering taxes, getting government out of our way and creating a playing field where anyone can succeed if they choose to do so.
We must restore discipline in Washington, so that our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will not be saddled with unimaginable debt created in order to pay off political cronies.
We must restore real service in government by saying “enough” to the elected leaders from either party who choose to be rubber stamps instead of advocates for their constituents.
We must restore real leadership by saying “enough” to those who choose to blame their predecessors for their problems.
We must restore faith in our government by electing people who will act on our behalf instead of acting on the behalf of special interests, lobbyists or labor bosses.
Finally, we must restore accountability to those in government who ignore our voice by ensuring they are voted out of office!
We must hold our elected leaders accountable.
Today, we continue the process which casts off our common apathy and replaces it with action.
Today, we demonstrate to our fellow citizens that it is not “un-American” to publicly voice concerns and opposition to the policies of our government. We do so without fear of the criticisms and accusations offered by our elected leaders and their supporters in the press.
Today my friends, we begin to restore our voice!
God bless you.
God bless the Great State of Arkansas.
And God bless the United States of America.
