Even groucho would join this club!

Some problems and issues facing our world are so enormous that they appear insurmountable. When we read about them, or talk about them with friends, the issue of "But what can I do about it?" seems unanswerable. That's why we humans form organizations and groups. In numbers, Americans believe we can achieve anything.

Sometimes we even form groups that don't really exist except in our minds. For example, the nice thing about the Internet is that it allows us to become part of a virtual group without really joining anything. When we "Google," there are always thousands of hits on just about every topic under the sun, so we just know that there are vast numbers of people out there who must agree with us on our issue: it's just impossible that many others have not also "seen the light."

And so it is with the North American Union (NAU), to which this special issue of THE NEW AMERICAN is dedicated. Many have seen the light and know that our own government is working behind the scenes with the governments of Canada and Mexico to create a single bureaucratic entity called the NAU--like the European Union--and they know it's a bad idea. For instance, most of Mexico would be allowed to move here if they wanted and bleed our government dry through their reliance on social welfare programs, and the costs associated with high crime rates.

So, what to do? One answer: join a unified virtual group called ANAUSPPA (the Anti-North American Union/Security and Prosperity Partnership Association, of course). Our first meeting is today. Your list of tasks as a "newbie" ANAUSPPA member follows. We may never meet, but I know you're out there ...

What You Can Do to Help Halt the Progress of the North American Union and the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP):

1. Become informed. Google the three terms "North American Union," "Security and Prosperity Partnership," and "SPR" You'll be amazed at the number of well-informed articles, websites, backgrounders, white papers, position statements, government news releases, and press conference transcripts that pop up. There's a lot of information out there--pro and con. Also check out The John Birch Society website, which has a deep section on the issue at JBS.org/nau.

2. Find ways to spread the word about NAU/SPP in your local community, among professionals, city workers, executives--everybody. Joining local organizations and service clubs are good ways to begin. The environmental lobby has a point when they say, "Think globally, act locally." It works!

3. Begin contacting your state legislators. It is your state senators and representatives who have the clout to create grass-roots opposition to an issue. They should be asked to support the resolution available at JBS.org/nau. By persuading your state legislators to pass this resolution against the NAU/SPP and the planned NAFTA Super Highway, the pressure will swell upward and reach U.S. senators and representatives, where real change can begin to take place.

There are many ways to find out the names of your state senator and state representative, with their official e-mail addresses, mailing addresses, and fax/phone numbers--and even their home addresses and phone numbers--so there's no excuse for not obtaining this information and being able to use it.

We like the National Conference of State Legislatures' website, where you simply enter the name of your state and are provided links to the various state legislatures and assemblies: http://www.ncsl.org/public/leglinks.cfm.

Then, you're only limited by your energy and imagination. Ambitious? Visit your state senator's or representative's office to express your opinion in person (yes, you're really allowed to do this). But more typically, politely call their office and give expression to your concerns. Or fax or e-mail the same concerns.

4. After you've created some activity with your state senators and representatives, go national and contact your U.S. senators and representative. An excellent resource for sending letters online is capwiz.com/jbs/home. This site includes prepared messages on the North American Union and other issues as the basis for your faxing, e-mailing, or phoning.

5. Go to JBS.org and find the "Lightning Round" link. The link goes to a video that is a truly creative means to get people talking about the NAU, and to get them to visit JBS.org/nau, which is a storehouse of NAU info and links. Copy the link to the video and send it to all of your friends and acquaintances with a brief note.

6. Use this issue of THE NEW AMERICAN as a handy tool for educating your friends and acquaintances. To order copies in quantity, see the card between pages 38 and 39 of this issue, or go to JBS.org/nau.

Finally, talk about the North American Union with everyone with whom you come into contact. They'll be amazed, and terrified, that this government effort is under way. But it is, and we need to get others to join our non-exclusive little club.