Murphey: The Shared, Growing Feeling of Helplessness

By Rep. Jason Murphey

The Shared, Growing Feeling of Helplessness

From time to time I give a presentation to area civic and political groups regarding legislative events. I have found that the greatest value from these presentations isn’t in the formal, public interaction with the audience but in the input I receive as attendees speak to me after the meeting concludes. These conversations sometimes last longer than the meeting itself and provide me food for thought, the chance to benefit from the wisdom of the public, and opportunity to provide additional information and context to the matters of concern.

This was certainly the case at a recent such meeting. As the meeting concluded, I was approached by an array of attendees who provided their concerns and input ranging from incenting citizen involvement, to detailing specific examples of state government waste.

As I progressed through and concluded each conversation, I took note of an individual as he patiently awaited his turn to speak. Though he was the last person in line, he didn’t go away, and from his incredible patience I surmised that he believed very much in what he was about to say.

After some time, I was able to speak with him. He wanted to talk about an item of inappropriate spend by the federal government. He described his frustration with the federal spending and expressed his helplessness and feelings of not being able to make a difference. A determined fellow, he had waited in line to speak with me in the hope that something, anything, could be done.

This is an exchange to which I have become accustomed: individuals who feel helpless about federal power and spending and who want to do something, but who don’t know what to do.

I don’t have any easy answers!

I asked the standard question: “Have you called the Congressman?”

“Yes, they recorded my input, but I don’t feel that it made much difference,” he explained.

“You can only do what is within your power to do. At least you have done your part. That’s all any of us can do,” I countered.

“Thank you, Jason; you have made me feel better.”

As I walked away from the conversation, I thought about the irony of this exchange. The concerned individual had direct access to a State Representative. He could explain his point of view, his worry about the out-of-control spending and his distaste for the fact that his taxpayer dollars are being wasted.

Ironically, he had no access to his Congressman. Located far away and representing far more constituents than a State Representative, the Congressman likely doesn’t even know that this person exists. Worse, even if he could take action on this input, the Congressman’s ability to make a difference in the vast, out-of-control federal bureaucracy is greatly limited.

This exchange immediately reminded me of the great wisdom of our nation’s founding fathers who placed an emphasis on most governance occurring at the state level – not the federal.

The federal government’s massive expansion is counter to the founders’ wisdom and has taken away the voice of the people. As a result, the public’s understandable, shared feeling of helplessness continues to build. America’s leaders must realize this, and one day, sooner than later, should respond by reducing federal power and returning it to the people.

Thank you for reading this article. Your interest and input are much appreciated. Please do not hesitate to email Jason.Murphey@hd31.org with your thoughts and suggestions.


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  1. Jim K, 25 December, 2015

    Rep. Murphey,

    That person, as you know, represents the silent majority. That fella could’ve been me and millions of others. That feeling of hopelessness is real and I appreciate your article. God bless you as you continue to fight for Oklahoma and it’s people. Patriotism, I think, will have to be reestablished somehow to see reform. How that occurs I do not know.

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