My Journey into Civic Engagement

Purpose

This blog is not about elevating myself above others. Rather, it aims to answer the question I am most often asked:

"Tom, I don’t know what to do. There’s so much happening, and so much to learn. How did you do it?"

The fact that people ask me this question suggests they see me as effective—after all, no one would ask if they didn’t think so, right? If that’s the case, then by sharing my journey, my hope is that others will take what I’ve learned and apply it in their own lives.

By recounting my experiences, I aim to inspire others, provide clarity, and reduce the sense of being overwhelmed. My goal is to help set people on a path toward greater civic engagement. Importantly, my story is not unique, many who are now involved followed a similar path. Some became active after being personally affected by an issue, while others, like me, were awakened by a sense of urgency.

Background

I grew up largely unaware of the world beyond my immediate concerns, despite attending a private school. Popularity in school seemed to depend on looks, kindness, and humor. I frequently found myself in the principal’s office, often questioning narratives that lacked satisfactory explanations. At the time, I didn’t fully understand why my curiosity got me into trouble. Looking back, I realized I was challenging perspectives that weren’t meant to be questioned.

I distinctly remember telling friends in 10th grade, “I can’t wait to graduate so I never have to read anything again.” That statement haunts me to this day.

Though I didn’t initially recognize a connection to something greater than myself, I had an innate sense that certain things weren’t being considered by others. I always knew God existed, but I never openly acknowledged it. Still, I encountered moments that confirmed His presence. For much of my early life, I lived in blissful ignorance—until everything changed.

The Paradigm Shift

At age 45, I was attending a small church with my family when I was invited to hear a speaker. He preached politics from the pulpit, tying religion and history on our nation’s founding. I remember thinking, Isn’t this illegal? But I attended anyway.

What I experienced over the next four days changed my life forever. It wasn’t just a temporary spark, like the kind you get after a men’s retreat, only to fade days later. This fire never went out.

The Journey Begins

I graduated high school without ever reading a book, yet suddenly, I found myself devouring them. I read for 8 to 16 hours a day, for what felt like years—not for entertainment, but as a mission. I immersed myself in our organic documents, the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers, biblical and constitutional law, and Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England.

With a growing sense of urgency, I joined the pro-life movement and began protesting at Planned Parenthood. But it didn’t feel like my calling. Instead, I started attending every civic meeting I could. Around the same time, the Tea Party movement was gaining momentum, and it seemed like everyone was waking up simultaneously. We attended meetings almost every night, connecting with like-minded people and discussing issues at a depth we had never considered. It was an earth-shattering paradigm shift.

Full Speed Ahead

As we shared what we were learning, some of us were asked to speak at rallies and community meetings. None of us were experts, we simply shared what we had learned and felt compelled to vocalize.

My engagement escalated. I testified before the legislature, met with lawmakers, called into radio shows, and attended city and county meetings. I found myself at lesser-known gatherings like the Idaho Criminal Justice Commission and COMPASS meetings on sustainable development. I even spent 12 years locked in a battle with my school district, challenging policies and decisions that I believed were harming students and parents.

At the time, many thought I was crazy. I was told teachers and administrators hated me. But years later, I learned that my efforts were instrumental in helping parents understand what was happening in their children’s schools.

Among the issues I challenged were:

• The absence of American flags in classrooms and the irregular recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance

• Biased American history teachings, portraying our Founders in a negative light

• Invasive school policies, including unwarranted locker searches, vaccine mandates, and excessive spending

• Restrictions on student expression, such as banning face paint at football games while exempting teachers from the same rules

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Beyond education, I confronted city councils, challenged law enforcement practices, and even found myself on an anti-government watch list. I documented a pro-life mission to shut down Wyoming’s last abortion clinic, witnessing firsthand the raw and vile opposition that erupted.

Looking Back

Over the past 20 years, I’ve learned that education was the foundation for everything I did. It wasn’t enough to be passionate, I had to be informed. Without knowledge and fortitude, engagement can be counterproductive or even dangerous.

There were times I could have been arrested or worse—not because I acted unlawfully, but because my intent wasn’t understood. That’s why clarity, respect, and knowledge are critical when challenging government policies.

Running for Office

At one point, I ran for state legislature—both for the House and Senate. Although I didn’t win, I gained invaluable insights. Many people shared my concerns, but few were willing to act. I also realized that running on indignation can alienate voters. People may recognize problems, but if they perceive you as too angry, they may question your stability.

Lessons Learned

Among the many lessons I’ve learned, two stand out:

1. Ignoring injustice or failing to act allows the deterioration of the values and greatness we once held.

2. We cannot expect others to do the work we should be doing ourselves.

   
   

Charting the Future

With these lessons in mind, I founded Idaho Ripple Effect—an organization dedicated to equipping Idahoans with information on civic issues, connecting like-minded individuals, and fostering effective statewide engagement.

My hope is that by sharing my journey, I have answered the question of how to get involved. Whether you follow a similar path or find your own way, I encourage you to engage, educate yourself, and take action. The future of our communities—and our nation—depends on it.

If you have questions or concerns or just want to talk, please reach out to me.