Thursday, June 19, 2008
Voters, defend the Constitution
From the RoundTable blog
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Scott Wolk
Wolk is a public speaker and the Southwest Virginia regional director of the Constitution Party.
Sick and tired: These are the two most commonly used words I hear to describe how individuals feel regarding the whole political process. There is a tossup over the most common phrase between "They're gonna do what they want anyway" and "It's so corrupt, there's nothing I can do."
After much time in deliberation as to why the citizens of these United States feel so helpless in the dealings of government and not understanding why their voices aren't being heard, I repeatedly returned to the same conclusion. Do citizens fully understand their role in the political process of a republic? If so, then frustration would be replaced by action.
To most, frustration ensues when citizens see that those who are elected expand their freedoms and freedoms of government, yet limit the God-given rights of those whom they represent. Big government uses words like "patriotic duty," "war on" and "best interest" to limit the freedoms so long enjoyed by the citizens. Yet, when the actions of government supersede the very rules that govern it -- the Constitution -- people are left to wonder what choices are left.
When citizens demand of their government to answer for those actions outside of the binds of the Constitution -- per the First Amendment -- and are repeatedly ignored, what then? Are citizens then required simply to accept that as a final answer with no expectation of recourse?
So, it's viable to empathize with they're being "sick and tired" of government "doing what they want to do" without being able to "do anything about it."
Coming into what's being hailed as the most important presidential election in recent history, I offer a reminder: Change is not accomplished by more of the same. Albert Einstein is often credited with saying, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result."
For more than 140 years, our federal government has bounced back and forth from Republican to Democratic. Every election cycle offers "change," albeit with different keywords and catch phrases. Yet, invariably, we seem to return to the very same spot we left four or eight years prior. Once again, frustration rears its head enough that the opposite party of the administration uses Point A and Point B to show that change is therefore needed to get our nation "back on track."
The promise of change is ever present and expectation runs high for it, yet change, outside of a campaign promise and name change on the door, rarely occurs. We continue to wonder why we're so disgruntled.
So what is left to do, John Q. Public? Is there repercussion? Is there a responsibility of the citizenry to ensure that government is held in check? I submit an affirmation to the highest level. There is to be none in public service so ambitious as to assume self-sovereignty above the public trust. Should that be the attempt, then those are to be reminded that all men are created equal -- none better, none worse.
They are also to be reminded that our Declaration of Independence states that it is our right and our duty to throw off such government and start anew, that our rights come from God. Our Constitution declares that the power of government comes from the people. And it may not be rescinded.
Should those appointed as representatives ever forget that, or choose to ignore those unarguable facts, then removal from public office is not only warranted, it is to be expected. Representatives swear an oath of office.
In that oath, there is nothing regarding loyalty to party affiliation, special interest groups, contributors or even those who voted favorably for their election to office. That oath is to the Constitution, which binds us.
So, kind voter, if you are still in the air regarding your role in the political process of a republic, I submit the following:
The role of the citizens is to hold their representatives to what they swore to uphold and defend upon accepting the responsibility of representing their district. If this they fail to do -- on any level -- and should reprisal not follow, then there is left no excuse should you suddenly find yourself under the chains of a self-serving government that systematically assumes more and more power not authorized it.
Imagine if all those single, disgruntled voters exercised their right and selected other than Republican or Democrat.
