How true?

“Of, by, and for …” Who?

When Abraham Lincoln uttered those words on the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg, he was speaking, of course, about all “the brave men, living and dead, who struggled here” … how they “have consecrated it” … and, how our “ … nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal … can long endure?”

Abraham Lincoln continued with a challenge for our ancestors back then.

Today, Lincoln’s challenge rings equally clear. That we: “the living … be dedicated … to the unfinished work … the great task remaining before us.”

Specifically, Lincoln’s task includes:

“That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

And, so that: “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom.”

Those were the original words of “Honest Abe” who was the first Republican to be elected President. If we are to achieve “a new birth of freedom” in our nation today, Lincoln’s words should, indeed, must become our words and our principles.

• We can and should place our order with government at every level: federal, state, and local.

Example: You might place your order to federal legislators to cut spending; your order to state legislators might be to cancel state income tax and your order to the local town council might be to lower assess values on the grand list to reflect the precipitous drop in real estate values without increasing the mil rate.

• We can and should place our order with every institution in our society.

Example: You might be unhappy with education achievement scores in the district so you place your order to education officials to double up class time on true core courses such as: Mathematics, English, Science, American History and set aside other courses parents deem non-essential.

• We can and should place our order with every business with whom we do business in what strains to remain a free market.

Example: You might not be happy with banks or credit card issuers changing account maintenance fees or interest rates on card accounts or charging ATM use fees to access your own money.

• We can and should place our order with every interest group - and every political faction – that manipulates for special treatment, advantage or insider connection.

Example: Politics - a treasure trove for comment.

Incumbents, their political cronies, and party operatives often take insider behavior to an art form. On second thought, it’s not an art form because, art form suggests taking the high road… when insider behavior is typically low and lower.

Candidates almost always fall under the sway and influence of insiders and old timers who control the party process and much more. Even those who begin with good intentions become ensnared.

What can you do?

Stand for election. Take your pick: Local office, state legislature, Congress, etc.

Your real name does not have to be Gary Cooper or Mr. Smith to set your sight on Washington or your state capitol or city hall.

If you run into obstacles,ask questions, then, place your order with your party of choice. You can be the breath of fresh air your party needs.

That said, when placing your order in any of these arenas, each time you should engage and assert the truth.

Place your order by question or statement.

Next, as I counsel my leadership clients, “listen with listening ears” to responses.

Embedded within evasive responses are the seeds of the manipulation, obfuscation, deception. Yes, I know what you’re likely thinking; placing your orders can be challenging. And at first it is.

But we freedom-loving citizens need remember the wise words of Abraham Lincoln: There is a “ … great task remaining before us.”

That is the reality today.

Only those of us assertively committed to seeking the truth can ensure that government of, by, and for the people, “shall not perish from the earth.”

Honest Abe understood that “the truth will set you free.” If you and I and our fellow citizens want “ … a new birth of freedom,” we must start placing orders for the truth.

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via email at  RichOlivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.