6 Hoosier Banker October 2014 Freedom is not free. While we have all heard this statement many times in our lives, and generally accept it at face value, occasionally we need to reflect on how powerful it is. The citizens of the United States enjoy more freedom than those of any other country on earth. Our founding fathers saw to it that all citizens were vested with certain unalienable rights. These rights, enumerated so eloquently in the Bill of Rights, laid the foundation upon which this country was founded. Our brilliant leaders did not want a country of dictatorship. They did not want a country where royalty would rule over citizens and their resources. They wanted a country where citizens would have a voice – a voting voice. In 1773 a group of angry colonists were so disenchanted about not having a voting voice that they organized an act of defiance that we now call the Boston Tea Party. The event was not a revolt against taxation. In fact it took place after the British Parliament had lowered the tax that colonists would pay on tea through the Tea Act. Colonists were upset for two reasons. First, the lowered tax on tea gave monopolistic advantage to a single British trading company, the East India Company, thus threatening independent tea importers. Second, and more significantly, colonists were angry because they had no say in the Tea Act. It was imposed on them. The Boston Tea Party itself was fairly minor by militaristic standards. It lasted three hours, the total value of the tea tossed overboard amounted to what now would equate to about $1 million, and no lives were lost. But this little event made a big splash, because from it was born a plank of freedom: “No taxation without representation.”The cause of self-governance was at stake. Our government was formed with this specific right imbedded in our system. We now have the right to vote for or against those who represent our interests at every level of government. We also vest in those elected the power to tax. It is a delicate balancing act that those we elect must weigh constantly. How do they provide services to benefit the public for the least amount of tax dollars? If they do not do it to our liking, we have the right to vote them out of office the next time their names appear on a ballot. It is simple, but incredibly powerful. Other nations’ citizens vote, too, but between royalty and dictators, none have more freedom than we do. Yet with this precious gift that the founding fathers bestowed upon us, we have become unbelievably complacent citizens. I, for one, believe that voting is more than a right. It is a responsibility. FEATURE President’s Ponderings S. Joe DeHaven, President & Chief Executive Officer, Indiana Bankers Association C M Y CM MY CY CMY K With that responsibility to vote comes other responsibilities, such as becoming informed about what office-seekers believe and determining who we want to vote for based upon those beliefs. Regretfully, most people do not research those whose names are on the ballot. Most people simply ignore their right to vote. This year voter turnout is sadly expected to be very low, particularly in Indiana. We do not have a president, governor or U.S. Senate race on the ballot, so most people will not trouble themselves with voting. We do have three statewide offices up for election: secretary of state, state treasurer and state auditor. All nine of the Indiana seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. All 100 seats of the Indiana House of Representatives, and 25 or the 50 seats in the Indiana State Senate, are up for election. There also are many local races, all of which have some effect on people’s lives. That’s a lot of power that is up for grabs. Whether you base your vote on your child or grandchild’s education, the overall economy, banking issues or any of myriad other issues at every level, I urge you not to shirk your responsibility to vote. Freedom is not free. Millions of our fellow citizens for the past 200+ years have dedicated their lives to service, so that we can exercise this right to vote. Many have literally given up their lives to secure this right. It is those sacrificed lives that, in my opinion, make voting a responsibility. I am grateful to those among us who are willing to devote their time and talents by placing their names on the ballot and running for office. Surely they deserve the few minutes of consideration it takes for the rest of us to simply vote. Bankers are leaders in every community in this country. Please show your leadership on Nov. 4 by exercising your right – your responsibility – to vote, and encourage those around you to do so, as well. Freedom is not free, but voting is a small price to pay. Amplify is a public relations and grassroots tool designed to help rebuild the image of banking. Developed by the American Bankers Association, Amplify is available to all bankers, both ABA members and nonmembers, free of charge. For more information, visit amplifybankers.com, or contact Laura Wilson the Indiana Bankers Association at 317-917-8047, email: lwilson@indianabankers.org. t AmplifyYour Outreach
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