{ legislative news } by Patrick Baker

All politics is local “T

he price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” This phrase has been attributed to many men throughout history.

The phrase most likely originated from a statement given by John Philpot Curran in 1790: “It is the common fate of the indolent to see their rights become a prey to the active. The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servi- tude is at once the conse- quence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt.”

We must strive to be vigilant and active in all things, especially politics. All too often, our decision

to engage our elected officials is reactionary. Several times today, tomorrow, this week, this month and throughout the remainder of the year, officials on all levels of government meet to discuss not only dental issues, but all issues that affect your life and livelihood. Those who oppose your beliefs and values al- ready and constantly are engaging those who represent you and your local communities.

s reactionar

“All politics is local” is a phrase coined by the former U.S. Speaker of the House, Tip O’Neill. This statement is perhaps one of the few truths in the soft science that is politics. The truth of this statement, for example, is known by those of you within the dental profession who fight to maintain the practice of fluoridation within your communities. It is a truth that can cut both ways. Proponents and opponents to any issue engage the local community and its leaders in the hopes of achieving their respective goals.

Certainly, it is important to know who the U.S. President is and what that President’s

16 focus | JUL/AUG 2013 | ISSUE 4 St t H Unf rt n t l th

State House. Unfortunately, these additional elections, oftentimes, are overlooked. Your access and ability to influence local officials is greater than any access you might have to the President or to a member of Congress. Yet, usually, we don’t engage our local officials until it is too late.

dditi n l

As you know, the Governor signed into law House Bill 315, a bill that outlawed the prac- tice of capped fees. As we await the Gover- nor’s signature on our other various pieces of legislation, it’s a reminder that legislative work continues, despite the adjournment of any legislative session.

The legislative contacts you make and develop throughout the interim months are invaluable to the MDA, especially once a new legislative session begins. I would encourage you to reach out and make contact with your representative and senator in the coming weeks and months. Don’t feel intimidated; they are people just like you and me who are

politics are as you decide how to cast your vote every four years. Yet other elections occur many times throughout the year, dur- ing which you elect school board members, city and county officials. Every two years elections are held during which you can cast a vote for who will represent you in the

expecting to meet with and have constructive discussions with their constituents.

The next few months are the best time to make these contacts, as this is an off year from elections. Just as you hope your patients seek your preventive services well in advance of their need for restorative care, so should we engage with local officials prior to the hustle and bustle of the legislative session.

ca w th le

If el slo tio ph lo ha w se

If you have never met your elected officials, then start slow with a quick introduc- tion by email or over the phone just to start a dia- logue. Perhaps you already have a working relationship with them; then you can set a goal of taking them to

lunch twice this summer or invite them and their spouse out to dinner.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 tells us there is a time and a season for everything. While the end goal is to discuss the MDA legislative agenda items, it is perfectly acceptable and sometimes very welcomed by the officials to talk about any- thing other than politics. Build a relationship … you don’t have to lobby your official every time you visit with them.

If Tip O’Neill is correct and “All politics is local” then we must constantly evaluate our relationships to determine if we are indeed “local.” f

PATRICK BAKER is the MDA Legislative & Regulatory Affairs Director. Email patrick@modental.org for questions about the MDA Legislative Agenda or other related issues.