There is an old saying; the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Over the years, groups wanting to affect change have learned, making a lot of noise, grabbing headlines, burning up the phone lines and blowing it out on social media is an effective tool. Most elected officials have a knee jerked response when staffers are pulling their hair out, noise levels soaring, buzzing in the halls, reporters hounding for quotes, rallies, opposing news conferences, marches and having your daily ram memory consumed processing the squeaky wheel ultimately causing some to fold under pressure. This noise we are discussing can all be divided between two groups and found constitutional in the First Amendment, let’s talk about it.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Construction: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Grassroots citizens groups, regardless of their issues or political persuasions have a constructional right “for freedom of speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” These groups as long as they have legal permits, can peacefully assemble for rallies, marches, demonstrations, make phone calls, visiting their elected official and openly state their position. The media as well has a right to free speech, whether their coverage is true, false or altered. Citizens and the media can let off steam around the clock until they run out of steam or affect change.
Working for two Republican Governors and running a public policy group, I have been on both sides of these rights. Over the years we have had some very fiery aggressive, well organized groups petition the Governor’s Office over a cadre of issues. If they are for you, that is always great, but when they oppose you it can be very trying. Some groups have the capacity to light up the switch board all day for several days, fills the halls at the capitol with people wanting to see the Governor and sometimes chanting so loud on century’s old marble floors and bouncing off hard plaster walls. The media as well can pile on with around the clock coverage pounding on either side of an issue hoping to crack the wall. This defines us as America, where we should be able to legally express without retaliation from those elected. So this friends is my description of the squeaky wheel, is it always effective?
Candidates running for office usually turn up the volume on issues with passion on the campaign trail, particularly in audience friendly gatherings during the primary election cycles. Once elected and being sworn in, their volume and passion on these issues can be turned down and sometimes muted, when met head to head with well-organized opponents who in some cases can slow the fast moving train down to a halt. This is where I hope and pray that sitting and the newly elected will go to school on the “Trump’s Squeaky Wheel Doctrine.”
Personally, I can be identified as an economic, social, moral and constitutional conservative. President Trump has represented in stellar fashion the issues that mean the most to me and my family. Protecting the unborn, defunding Planned Parenthood, preserving traditional marriage, strong military, protecting the 2nd amendment, lowering taxes, stewardship of taxpayer funds, fixing illegal immigration, building the wall, prosecuting criminals instead of honest policemen, balancing our trade deficit, appointing constitutional originalist strict constructionist to the federal bench, reducing burdensome regulations on business, ramping up domestic oil production, taking care of our veterans and so much more are the passions dearly treasured by our family. Trump has championed these causes and so much more in the face of overwhelming opposition, never ending media blatant fabrications, pounding from the left and without blinking, our General Patton advanced the ground forces full speed ahead. The loud squeaky wheel did not ultimately handicap his ability to deliver.
Focused, determined to keep his promises, unflinching, fearless, brave and results driven, our President brings to life the old Civil War Battle Hymn of the Republic lyrics: “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.” Truth and facts are on our side and in this hour,marching forward to victory.
So, what happens to the squeaky wheel when you ignore it and don’t feverishly panic in knee jerk fashion, squirting oil into the bearing, metal will grind on metal and it comes to a screeching halt! Starve the squeaky wheel and it comes to a grinding halt.
Trump’s face is fixed in the wind like a flint. Isaiah chapter 50 verse 17 says: “For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.”
My fellow Republicans, ignore the loud clamoring media, Nancy, Adam, Jerry, Maxine and Chuck, follow the facts and this President, starve the squeaky wheel and we will be singing the hymn together, Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
“Trump’s Squeaky Wheel Doctrine,” works.
