One of the greatest thing about turning 50, something I did three years ago, is you no longer have to do things against your wishes. For example, when I go for an early morning run I insist on doing a loop, not an out and back. Even if the route is one I have run hundreds of times, a loop gives the illusion you are seeing new territory with each turn. The out and back is pure drudgery because you see everything twice; the rusted old mail box going out is the same rusted old mailbox coming back. Nothing changes.

Last Thursday, due to a momentary lapse in judgment, I was forced to run the dreaded out and back. By nature I am just a congenial guy, and since no one else in my running group possesses my idiosyncratic aversion to out and backs, I tagged along without whining…okay a little whining. With our world illuminated by the triple-AAA batteries powering our headlamps, we ran three miles to the east and then pivoted for the three miles back to the beginning. (Using the word “pivoted” makes the run sound more exciting than it really was.) At the five mile mark, one mile from where we started, we hit the only highlight of the dreaded out and back. There right in the middle of the road, where minutes previously there was only bare pavement, laid the fresh remains of a road kill raccoon. Wow, how exciting to see something new.

Seeing the carcass reminded me of politics; nothing good ever happens when politicians retreat to the misinterpreted safety in the middle of the road. When public servants abandon constitutional principles to join progressives, Marxist philosophy incrementally advances; it always has and it always will. There is right and there is wrong; there is no maybe.

The recent election painted Montana like a political Red Sea. Republicans regained control of the House 68-32 and an astounding 31 newcomers rode the tea-party tsunami into Helena. This is a sweep beyond my wildest dreams. Now the political debate shifts to we elected officials as we select leadership controlling the 2011 legislature. Two factions are jockeying for position: The middle-of-the-roaders on the left and the conservative constitution caucus on the right. I have tossed my hat in the ring as a candidate for Speaker of the House to be part of a leadership team representing freedom loving conservatives. This isn’t going to be easy and I need your help.

Our Declaration of Independence clearly states government only acts with the “consent of the governed.” Do not consent for capitulation! Now is the time for unrelenting, unmerciful, unyielding, uncompromising, unbearable pressure on all elected officials at every level, to honor their oath of office to “support, protect and defend the Constitution.” Grab the phone and be certain your elected public servant honors your wishes. If we default to the middle of the road, the republic becomes road kill.