The American Privilege

                                         

This week I'm shaking it up a bit by posting a relevant essay that I wrote in my English 

class last year.

“…to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, 

deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” This is a powerful 

statement written in the Declaration Of Independence. All of the citizens still have 

this power, because this country is built upon the fact that all of mankind are 

created equal. We can do many things in our government, but in this essay I’ll only 

be talking about our involvement in the legislative branch, which is the branch that 

makes the laws. We can write letters, make phone calls, send e-mails, etc.  We can 

encourage, inform, and discourage our legislators respectfully. The republic style of 

government is one of many in the world, and it is the benefit of living in America. I 

have sent a letter about homeschool and one about farming and have found it 

becomes easier after every time. 

            

A few days before I visited the SC State House my mom gave me an 

assignment which was choosing a bill related to homeschooling and writing a letter 

to a legislator about it. I was hesitant at first because I had never done anything like 

this before, but soon decided to write about House Bill #3934.This bill would make 

sure that homeschooling families’ taxes are not used to fund public schools.  I am 

homeschooled, yet my parents pay for schools we don’t use.  I hoped that the House 

of Representatives would reconsider it since they were not actively working on its 

progress.  I wrote the letter on April 23, 2018 and delivered it expectantly a few 

days later during the field trip. The legislator never responded to that letter, but the 

experience gave me a helpful bit of homeschool-style education.

            

Next, on April 13, 2019 I wrote my a second letter about HB3250, which 

would ensure access to fresh, healthy food to everyone in the state of South 

Carolina. This would be achieved by providing funds to SC farmers so that they can 

grow more food while keeping prices low. The people would become healthier 

because they were eating fresh food. My family grows and raises some of own our 

food, and we are supporters of homesteading and organic farming methods. I can 

say from experience that fresh food is delicious. On April 13, 2019 I wrote this letter. 

On April 26, I received a response in the mail. Excitedly I tore into the envelope to 

find that my state representative had written that the SC government basically put 

the bill on hold to work on a solution that everyone can agree on. As far as I know, 

this is still the state of the bill. Though this was not exactly the outcome I had hoped 

for, I was happy for the progress made with this letter about an important subject 

that everyone can appreciate: good food.

            

Without a doubt, sending letters has become easier for me.  The government

seems closer and smaller, instead of in a far-away land called the capitol on the 

other side of the planet. I am also more familiar with the way our legislative system 

works, which makes it seem more approachable. There are websites that help with 

writing and sending letters, as well as finding out who your representatives are.

Legislators are usually ready to represent the people. Their job is to uphold the 

Constitution and represent those in their state or district, however, they can’t 

represent well if they do not hear from the citizens! There are many issues being 

debated in our state and federal governments, and we have the power to dictate the 

future of our legislation. It is surprisingly easy to make a difference. 

            

The experiences gained from the two letters I have written have shown me 

how an easily written letter can change our country for the better. I 

chose topics that apply to me, which would have been different if I had written 

about something I know nothing about. Because I did this, I was eager for a 

response. The whole experience was like a roller coaster, with exciting highs and 

times in which patience was essential. The right of citizens having a say in the 

government has been supported for centuries. That is one of the ideas America was 

built upon! Keeping in communication with our government is a privilege 

guaranteed to us as Americans.