Dear Readers, The Kingfisher Times & Free Press has agreed to print more chapters. The chapters are based on our experiences to try to complete Senator Tom Coburn’s work to reform our U.S. Congress before we go off the fiscal cliff.

If you choose to read them, and certainly here is hoping you do, please know a few things.

I am writing it, but my sincere hope is you will feel it is not about me.

It is about us, who we are as Americans, how honest we are or are not willing to be about our debt, sacrifices that have been made on our behalf, what sacrifices we are willing to make, what is at risk, the challenges of citizen involvement in our national government, and last but certainly not least, how our Christian faith informs and propels our efforts against such enormous challenges.

The hope is, if you do choose to read, you will find it engaging, informing and maybe even inspiring. If you do become inspired, the hope is you will reach out to us.

The entire premise Sen. Coburn left us with is ordinary citizens, like you and me, have to take back control from Washington.

This effort has never been just about one person. Our debt problem affects all of us.

Truly, if we don’t choose to stand together for what is righteous, we shall all surely suffer as a result.

Our effort is dedicated to trying to unify our people to solve a massive problem.

This is our story.

For Our Common Good, R. Brian Walter

Journal Date: Nov. 30, 2022 It has now been 11 months since I have written.

For those interested, here is what has transpired in 2022 in our quest to live into Tom Coburn’s request that we continue and (maybe – just maybe) complete his work to reform our Congress.

After Chapter 29 was published last December in the Times & Free Press, we took a short break for the Christmas holiday. We came off break on Jan. 6, 2022.

It was not intended that way, but it did occur to me it was the one-year anniversary of what occurred in Washington D.C. on that date.

In my weekly updates to our supporters, I referred to Jan. 6, 2021, as the “Big Commotion.”

I must say that reference stirred up quite a passionate response from an individual on our email list who has provided encouragement,

although no financial help. He took great offense at referring to something he would call an insurrection as a commotion.

Well, I would say two things about that.

First, in my defense, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists as its first definition of the word commotion, “a condition of civil unrest or insurrection,” so technically I think I was on track.

The second thing I would say is I try hard to be honest without causing division.

Our organization is in the business of trying to build “unity” as our name, Unity above Self in America, implies.

We embrace this difficult task in a nation that is currently bitterly divided, which was on full display on Jan.6, 2021.

Choosing one’s words carefully is important when trying to build unity against all odds.

Tom Coburn never said it was going to be easy. Our position to build unity around the events of Jan. 6, 2021, would be to ask both sides to agree that what happened was proof that there is much discontent in American politics.

We would also hope both sides could agree that this level of division is unhealthy for our nation.

In Matthew 12:25, Jesus tells us, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”

Our hope is that all Christians would help lead change by allowing Jesus’ words to motivate us all to try to seek common ground, by serving the common good of our nation.

My first stop on Jan. 6, 2022, was to see my friend Ray Dyer of El Reno. It had been some time since we visited, so I brought him up to speed on our effort.

As we wound up our talk, he offered to introduce me to Scott Mitchell of News 9 in Oklahoma City. Scott and I arranged a Zoom call, since in January 2022 we were still living under COVID restrictions.

Scott produces a Saturday morning television segment called “The Hot Seat.”

Scott and I had a nice Zoom conversation and he agreed to do a story on our effort, to be featured on “The Hot Seat.”

I have come to learn that getting TV programs aired is somewhat like getting a bill pushed through Congress.

But it is the race that is laid out for us, so our job is to run the race, not set the rules.

Another thing that happened in January 2022 was we officially filed for a 501(c)(4) legal status as UaSiA, Inc. Our plan to compare Senate candidates based on their position on the “No Budget, No Pay Act” was not legal as a 501(c)(3), so we had to become a 501(c)(4).

The application to the IRS was made.

The effort to get legal authority to put pressure on our dysfunctional Congress would prove to be long and difficult, but no surprise there.

The new year had begun, and with prayers that God would guide our efforts, we were off to see what He had planned for us.

Unity above Self in America R. Brian Walter Matthew 20:26-28