Cynthia Davis says farewell...for now

 In her farewell column, Rep. Cynthia Davis, R-O'Fallon, says she never sacrificed her integrity during her eight years in the House and decries "the left wing bloggers" whose goal was to "shame and humiliate" her. (Left wing to Mrs. Davis, of course, is anything to the left of her, which would include about 98 percent of the populace.)

She concludes by noting, "Several of my constituents have told me how sorry they are I am not moving to the senate."

More of her constituents, including many dedicated conservatives, opted to vote for her opponent, Scott Rupp, which is why he, and not Mrs. Davis, will continue to serve in the Senate.

Next week I will be ending over 16 years of elected public service to move into another arena of public service.  We all are called to public service whether we are elected or not.  Every time you pick up a piece of litter, put away a shopping cart, raise your children to be good citizens or keep your marriage vows, you are providing a public service.  The future of our civilization and our civility depends on this.

A highly respected and brave congressman once said, “"Special interests have replaced the concern that the founders had for general welfare.  Vote-trading is seen as good politics. The errand-boy mentality is ordinary; the defender of liberty is seen as bizarre. It's difficult for one who loves true liberty and utterly detests the power of the state to come to Washington for a period of time and not leave a true cynic.”

Likewise, I frequently fight the feelings of cynicism when I observe the number of legislators who start off well and then become absorbed into the bureaucratic cesspool by giving up their principles within a few years. 

It reminds me of the song, “The Rhinestone Cowboy”---“I’ve been walking these streets so long, singing the same old song, I know every crack in these dirty sidewalks of Broadway.  Where profit’s the name of the game and nice guys get washed away like the snow in the rain.  There’s been a load of compromising on the road to my horizon…”  Thankfully, I have a clean conscience when it comes to standing up for our principles.  As I walk out of the Capitol for the last time I know that my priorities have never changed---honoring God and honoring my constituents.

This came at a tremendous personal cost, but it was worth what I paid for it many times over.  I value my integrity, and I have the satisfaction of knowing I get to take my integrity with me when I leave.  Not everybody can say that.

The price tag?  It meant national attention -far more than most of my colleagues- even those in leadership positions.  Those who live in my district may not realize that people in Kansas City, Springfield, Joplin, Columbia, New York, California and those who watch MSNBC and Steven Colbert may know more about me than you do.  I became the target of several left wing blogs and frequently segments of my Capitol Reports would be quoted within hours of being e-mailed.  People in other states would write me who read about what I am saying and accomplishing in Missouri.

The goal of the left wing bloggers is to shame and humiliate those who speak up for common sense America.  It is possible that they are so surrounded by socialists that it shocks them to hear someone explain free-market ideology.  More likely, they think making a martyr out of an honest mother of seven, grass-roots supported American will intimidate others from daring to state the obvious out of fear of the backlash.  It may have worked were it not for the fact that I am defined by my Maker, not what the left-wing blogs say.

I must admit that seeing people try to tarnish my reputation was not pleasant, but it didn’t snuff out my freedom of speech or my efforts to help educate and possibly embolden others.  The trailblazers who spoke the truth before me helped to develop my backbone as well.  Courage and bravery are honored virtues in America.

I know that Missouri is in better shape because I was in the Capitol for eight years.  My Capitol Reports chronicled my battles to stand up for our 10^th amendment rights, remove abortion providers from the sex education classes in the public schools, free the midwives, fight against bigger government and promote legislation to strengthen families.  The rest of my life I will have the satisfaction of knowing I made a difference by being there these last eight years.

Yet, there is nothing I did that cannot be undone by others who come behind me.  Therefore, I urge you to be vigilant to support only those who side with the principles of liberty.  Talk is cheap and during election seasons, you will hear whatever is on the menu of political correctness. 

Did you ever play Red Rover?  The hard chargers who break through the line get to take another player back to their side.  They slowly build their team until there is no one left on the other side.  That game provides philosophical lessons for us as well.  We need to win people over to our side or we will lose them to the other side.  The side who holds together wins.  For those who are hiding in the shadows behind the bushes, I urge you to come out and see how good it feels to stand up tall and enjoy the sunlight.  We need more brave hearts if we are going to see the real change necessary to get our country back on track.  We owe it to our philosophical, moral and spiritual heritage to continue standing up for the truth.

In my last Capitol Report to you as your Representative, I urge you to join me in serving as a conscience for our homes, churches, communities and for our state.  Don’t ever be afraid to speak up for what is right.  I did, and I am still standing as an example that tenacity and perseverance win in the end.  There is a God who sees everything and will judge us at the end of our lives for every thought, word, deed and vote. 

Several of my constituents have told me how sorry they are I am not moving to the senate.  I am satisfied because I know I am needed elsewhere.   I plan on serving in the senate in the future.  For now, I am not really going away -I’m just reloading!