We the People . . .
With those three words the Constitutional Convention of 1787 began a document that would change the world.
But today it seems we have forgotten basic truths fundamental to a healthy republic and a free people:
- Freedom and liberty are self evident rights granted to us by God, not permitted to us by our government.
- The proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things.
- It is never appropriate for the actions of a government established by the people to exceed the boundaries established by the people’s Constitution.
Our elected officials no longer represent the peoples’ will; they protect the welfare of special interest groups who provide financial support for their re-election.
Every branch of our government has exceeded its Constitutional limits; every branch has abandoned its responsibility to check and balance the others. For decades we have drifted toward a welfare state where the federal government promises to take care of every person and solve every problem. We now see the inevitable result: diminished personal liberty, a crushing tax burden and irresponsible deficit spending.
Thomas Jefferson warned us against this state of affairs:
“If we (the people) can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy.”
It is time to alter our government by throwing out almost all of our current government leaders. The answer to our nation’s problems will not come from self-serving leaders who think in terms of “me”.
The answer is also not about finding “he”. It is naïve to believe we can simply elect a “hero” to ride into Washington on a white horse and put things right; thereby enabling the rest of us to remain unburdened by our personal duty as citizens.
The answer is neither me nor he; the answer has always been “we.” Our nation’s welfare relies upon informed, engaged citizens who will sacrifice their time and talent to ensure our liberty and fortunes are protected and preserved for the next generation. It is time for our citizens to stand up, show up and speak up! It is time to take our country back!
