Abraham Lincoln once said, “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” Sadly, we are seeing these words come to fruition as our leaders continually erode the foundation our country was established on.

As the silent majority, it is time that we take a stand and be heard. It’s not enough to just go to a Tea Party; we must roll up our sleeves and get to work. Here are some simple steps to help you take action and make a difference.

Get informed

While ignorance may be bliss, knowledge is power. That’s why those in Washington prefer closed-door meetings rather than transparency when it comes to creating and passing legislation. It’s time for us to take back the power. We need to do our homework and become the citizen journalists, Constitutional watchdogs and truth czars.

1. Read conservative sites and blogs – see our list of resourceful links.

2. New media has opened the door for the truth to get out and for us to be informed.

3. Read legislation and track bills (www.opencongress.org and www.govtrack.us).

4. Follow the money – www.opensecrets.org helps citizens keep track of the money in US politics.

5. When it comes to issues and candidates, do your due diligence before you go to the ballot box.

Look at candidate’s voting records, past actions and associations/allies, because as we all know talk is cheap.

Get the word out

Samuel Adams said a great quote, “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds.” There are many who still get their daily dose of information from the mainstream media. We need to open their eyes to the rest of the story.

1. Send articles and information to your family, friends and neighbors via e-mail.

2. Use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to bring light to legislative issues.

3. Start a blog, or create a YouTube video, and broadcast your message across the Internet.

4. Correct online articles that distort facts by posting information in the comment section of the website.

5. Simply, talk to your family and friends.

Get vocal

We need not only to take our message to friends and family, but also to our leaders and those who support them. Whether our state and federal officials choose to listen or not, we cannot give up voicing our concerns. We must continue to speak out and hold them accountable.

1. Call, e-mail and fax senators and representatives. Do not underestimate the power of voicing your concerns.

2. Go to town hall/council/school board meetings, and speak out boldly and respectfully. Ask the tough questions, and demand answers.

3. Vote with your dollars. It’s important that we support companies that believe in limited-government, free-market principles.

Get connected, get involved

There is strength in numbers, which is why we need to work together to fight this battle.

1. Join a local, conservative grassroots organization. See our list of local groups.

2. Work a phone bank or do precinct walking for a candidate/organization that supports true conservative principles.