Action vs. Reaction

Delegate Chris Stolle (Virginia Beach) is patroning HB1850, a bill that will basically prohibit little kids from riding as passengers on motorcycles. And now there's a call to action that's circulating among biker activists around the country, asking them to write Delegate Stolle and express opposition to this bill.

From the sound of it, Delegate Stolle has heard all the arguments, and he still firmly supports the bill.

There's a history lesson to be learned here: Delegate Stolle won his first primary election in 2007 by only 170 votes. If a few bikers had been involved at THAT stage of the election, we wouldn't need thousands of letters now ... because Delegate Stolle would know us, and he'd have a reason to respect us.

It is up to us to develop a winning strategy that we can count on. The key to successful action is to act when it has the most impact ... instead of only reacting when the odds are already stacked against us. A little foresight now will go a long way. And it sure beats a truckload of letters (from total strangers) after a crappy bill has already been submitted.

The next primary season begins in about 4 months. But a force of reliable campaign volunteers doesn't happen by itself overnight. Those of us with campaign experience need to step up, by teaching others and by organizing local efforts. And the sooner we start, the better our results will be.

Political power is the key to winning fights like this. And political power comes from making a difference on the campaign trail.

-RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com