We have all heard the term Indian Giver referred to someone who gives something and then takes it back. Have you ever wondered why “Indian Giver”? Imagine the surprise of the first white settlers here when they observed one of the Native people take back something they had given to someone else. This was not a core belief of these new settlers and if it happened to them, I would imagine it stirred up a bit of controversy.
It is a philosophy of ‘right use’ that is seldom applied today. The core belief is that when you give someone something it is for a specific purpose. A blanket is used to keep you warm, food is to eat, clothes are to wear. With the Native American, they had something attached to the act of giving that settlers did not understand: A requirement of RIGHT USE of the gift.
Should the gift be used in an inappropriate manner, the giver had the right to take back that gift. Hence, the term Indian Giver.
Maybe it is time to revisit that concept. When we elect someone to public office, voters are giving that person the gift of power to do good for the citizens. If we find that the power given is being used incorrectly, then by exercising our right to vote we can take that power back. Check out the candidates of every election. See how they have performed in the past, anticipate how they will perform in the future and VOTE. Then, watch how they use the gift you have given them. If they use in in an inappropriate manner, if it causes harm rather than helps, take the gift back in the next election. It is not enough to simply vote. You must vote and then watch. Monitor elected officials for the ‘right use’ of power! Then, if right use is not applied, vote again and have some say in how the power that you give to elected officials is used.
May 6th is election day for Christiansburg. Remember, this is also the last time to vote before the cost of voting goes up!!!
