In seasons when common sense is put on hold, when opinions are given the same or higher credence than facts, when logic and knowledge are laughed off as ploys by some mysterious cabal out to deny plausible conspiracy theories that make perfect sense until one asks for proof or evidence, thereby trying to stifle legitimate consideration of fiction that really, really should be fact, rage and fear ensues.
The United States of America is in such a season, our constitution under attack by a clearly rogue and inept president, Donald Trump. He is backed by a group of moribund sycophants being held up by idiots enthralled in the cult as American heroes. As they like to say, “all 77-million of us.”
Not yet 90 days into a 1,460-day second term, there can be no doubt left that Trump and his band of misfits are inept and unfit for public service at best and more criminally corrupt than any of those they so vociferously accuse and beset at worst, to include Stephen Miller, Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, J.D. Vance and many more in the administration, joining such erudite simpletons as Marjorie Taylor Green, Jim Jordan, Lauren Boebert, James Comer, Tommy Tuberville and every other MAGA Republican in the legislative branch of our nation’s government and the pro-MAGA members of the judiciary such as John Roberts and Clarence Thomas.
Yes, around 77-million Americans voted for Trump in November and only 75-million voted for Harris. But more voting age citizens, an estimated 89-million people, chose not to vote. Any MAGA gloating of a huge mandate for Trump is mistaken, and only the Trump diehards can think that his actions of the last three months represent an improvement that will benefit any but Trump and his small circle of friends.
We who believe in the ideals established by our Constitution, that all men are created equal, that all are equal under the law, cannot let our rage dissipate without effect. We cannot let our fear keep us from doing what we know our responsibilities demand for the good of our nation. We cannot be divided by party politics or picayune differences.
We who would save our constitution must be one, undivided.
What can rational people do when the checks and balances of government fail and the worst, most dangerous and corrupt home-grown terrorist organization to beset our nation in its short history takes control? When so many of our elected representatives serve at the altar of Trump and swear loyalty to MAGA? When so many of our judiciary ignore the constitution and the rule of law and violate both simply to further empower the tyrant who would be king?
That answer is easy in principal but daunting in practice. First, we must set aside any concept we have of political party and recognize that our entire loyalty, must lie in upholding, protecting and defending the ideals established by the U.S. Constitution, the last best hope of man. We must make whatever sacrifice is necessary for its preservation, that we may perfect our union, not let a petty and over-privileged traitor reinvent it in his own malignant image.
We uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution by the diligent application of the rights it affords and by accepting without hesitation the responsibilities it requires, that we, the people, accept for ourselves what those people we elected to represent us have chosen not to do.
We talk, we write, we publish. We assemble. We petition, not only to seek redress, but to identify those who serve interests not of the public.
Realizing that this is our government, we find people of integrity who will abide the constitution, who will adhere to the clear ideals our founders aspired to, not the abasement being wrought by those who would exalt their race and/or religion and so declare themselves supreme over others.
We work to elect those of knowledge and integrity to the positions of public trust now held by those who serve Trump, their own particular cause or themselves. The same with the judiciary, we find knowledgeable jurists dedicated to the rule of law, who will weigh ever on the side of law, without fear or favor. In so doing, we drain the swamp.
The Constitution gives us the framework and the tools, and as ours is a government of the people, by the people, for the people, it is we the people, all of us who are citizens, who hold responsibility for upholding the constitution. We, the people, by the methods prescribed in the constitution, are able to select those who would represent us in our governance; legislators to enact laws, jurists to interpret those laws, a president to execute those laws.
All three branches, by design, are equal in power and authority. Each of the three has responsibilities for oversight of the others to prevent any one, especially the executive, from becoming supreme.
A free press is the only enterprise to have protection under the United States Constitution, and it goes hand in hand with the right to free speech and freedom of religion. To assemble peacefully and to petition the government for redress … Why do you suppose these explicit rights are grouped together? To what intent?
Let’s ask Google AI.
Why is freedom of speech important?
“Freedom of speech is crucial because it is the foundation for other freedoms and is essential for a functioning democracy. It allows individuals to express their opinions and ideas without fear of government interference, which is vital for public discourse, societal change, and holding governments accountable.”
Why is freedom of the press important?
“Freedom of the press, a cornerstone of democratic societies, allows people to publish and share information, ideas, and opinions without government interference or censorship. This freedom enables a robust public discourse, helps hold government accountable, and allows citizens to access a wide range of perspectives and information.”
Why is freedom of religion important?
“Freedom of religion is important because it protects individual conscience and allows people to live according to their beliefs, fostering diversity and peaceful coexistence. It prevents government interference with religious practice and ensures that individuals can freely express their faith or lack thereof.”
Do you notice a pattern? Let’s take it two steps further, why don’t we?
Google AI, why is freedom of assembly important?
“Freedom of assembly is crucial for a healthy democracy because it allows citizens to collectively express their views, advocate for change, and hold their government accountable. It enables peaceful collective action, strengthens community bonds, and facilitates public debate.”
And last but not least, “Google AI, why is the right to petition important?
“The freedom to petition is crucial because it empowers citizens to actively participate in their government and demand accountability. It’s a fundamental right that allows individuals to express their concerns, seek redress for grievances, and advocate for changes in policies and laws, ultimately strengthening the democratic process.”
Notice that pattern yet?
Here’s a hint — “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”
What say you, Google?
“‘We are equal’ implies that all human beings have the same inherent worth and dignity, and should be treated with the same respect and opportunities, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or any other characteristic.”
Good and honest people get hurt under the aegis of the First Amendment when lies hold sway, as they do now. But the first amendment gives us the solution as well — we can gather peacefully, protest, and we can petition, asking our legislators to do the job they were elected to do.
And those may seem weak recourses when you’re laughed at and demeaned by radicals with no interest in truth who carry an ages old but woefully mistaken assumption of self-superiority.
But therein lies strength. There is but one way to defeat bullies, just as there is but one way to defeat lies. You stand up to bullies, answering their blustering cowardice with resolve. You counter every lie with truth. You do not capitulate, you do not accept. You hold them to truth, even when they refuse to see truth.
You shed the false titles, slurs and pejoratives they hurl at you to demean, threaten and shame you, you ignore their threats to tell others, recognizing it is they who are weak, not you.
We speak truth to power. We speak truth to those who refuse to hear it, we go to the polls. We expect violence, the province of the weak minded, as a sure measure of their fear, and we don’t cower, we stand, unintimidated.
We defend ourselves from the improper and illegal machinations of a liar and loser, we disavow him of the silly notion that he is, as president, above the law.
We are Americans. We are imperfect. But we are not children, nor are we sheep. We correct mistakes. As Sir Winston Churchill surmised, You can always count on Americans to do the right thing once they’ve exhausted all other possibilities.