Hold your Head Up

"In the long run, people don't remember whether you're right or wrong. What they remember is how you conduct yourself."

This is just how the human brain evolved over the years.

Just think like a caveman, and it becomes clear. You want to know who's on your side, and who's a threat. While we like to think we're so much more civilized in today's society, we are really just well-dressed cavemen.

As political activists, there are unwritten rules about how bikers should behave around elected officials as well as the public at-large. Some of these rules are good, and some of them are wrong.

Being polite is pretty universal. There's never a good reason to be rude. That doesn't mean you can't be assertive, but you can always make your point without crossing the ugly line.

Being confident, however, is usually NOT the way bikers present themselves. Take the issue of helmet laws. When bikers talk to their legislators on Lobby Day, for example, they often try to sneak it in amongst other more palatable issues. Like motorcycle awareness proclamations, driver education, etc.

Reminds me of the character "Toad" from the movie American Graffiti. Remember how Toad wanted liquor? So he asked for a comb, a snickers bar, a pack of slim jims, etc. Liquor was mentioned in there somewhere, hopefully not really noticed. Of course the proprieter gave him everything he wanted ... but THAT.

Sound familiar?

Bikers often use the same approach when we "ask" for the right to decide. We even gussy it up by calling it "helmet modification" or "helmet law reform," as if politicians are too stupid to see it for what it is.

Ask any lawyer (because I'm not one). If you strike any part of a law, you are REPEALING that part. This perspective is not that big of a deal, even though most activists will strongly disagree with me. But they are negotiating for their rights from a position of weakness.

It's all they know. And so far, they're getting pretty good at it.

Building political power must come first. Only then can you politely assert yourself in the world of politics. Everyone else must beg, boot lick, and suck up. Only the powerful have the right to decide, no matter what the issue.

Where does political power come from? The ability to win elections. Not by voting, because bikers are a minority. Instead it must come from concentrating our energy into the districts that have close races, and helping the biker-friendly candidate as campaign volunteers.

That way they see us helping them in their time of need. We don't have to live in that district, or even be registered to vote. And by working as a campaign volunteer, we're 10 times more powerful than any single voter. That's because we deliver votes.

Of course, once we start helping the good guys win elections, lobbying becomes more of a friendly get-together than an intimidating audience before the Great and Powerful Wizard of Oz.

So get off your knees, stand up like a man, and hold your head high. It's so easy, even a caveman can do it.

-RIDE2REPEAL@gmail.com