A republic if you can keep it

We need to increase our perspective and appreciation of the Constitution through study, meditation, and experience so we can take needed steps to help defend the divinely inspired Constitution and protect the family.

Without a declaration of Independence and the establishment of this great nation, the world is without hope, liberty, and freedom. America is freedom's strongest advocate but I am concerned that we are asking too much of our government because maybe we have forgotten what form of government we have and the tremendous sacrifices made to achieve it.

The Second Continental Congress met in May of 1775. Debate continued even after the Declaration of Independence was accepted in July of 1776 and continued for another year when Congress sent for ratification of the Articles of Confederation; it took four years to be ratified by all states. The Articles of Confederation however had some weaknesses so debate continued into the 1780s.

Then on a day in 1787, 56 delegates walked into Independence Hall in Philly as visionary risk takers and walked out forever to go down in history as patriots; citizen statesmen who sacrificed much and demonstrated wisdom beyond this mortal life.

As they exited from their grueling experience, an aging Ben Franklin was asked by Mrs Powell, "Well Doctor, do we have a republic or a monarchy?" His reply is worthy of telling over and over again. "A republic if you can keep it."

A republic was the goal because it is the form of government where the power rests with the people. It seems almost academic now as nations across the globe seek freedom but at this early stage in our history, this was a bold and risky goal.

The answer of why a republic is worth fighting for is a personal one but a big reason for me is without our involvement, government will continue to grow and a government big enough to do everything for us is big enough to take everything from us. I am deeply concerned with the direction we are headed as a nation. I believe we are in need once again of citizen statesmen willing to acknowledge the divine and willing to make the hard decisions to preserve our liberty.

When the founding fathers appeared at loggerheads over perceived critical issues, they turned to their maker for inspiration. Their prayer was simple and it worked.

So because I believe the foundation of this nation was divinely inspired, then I believe that our role today is to fight to preserve the republic.

How we keep a republic is not rocket science but it takes action. How we maintain a republic starts with voting. I'm afraid the apathy and complacency of the public is the biggest threat to a republic. With our financial and moral future at stake, there is no room today for the cynic sitting on the sidelines. It pains me to read the voter stats from our community; they're not high enough. We need to be willing to engage, kick the tires, and make things happen; even if we are criticized along the way.

One of my political heroes Ezra Taft Benson quoted another political giant, Thomas Jefferson, in his book An Enemy Hath Done This, when he encouraged participation: "He who fears criticism is hopeless. Only those who do things are criticized. To hesitate for fear of criticism is cowardly."

The Constitution is worth fighting for; we should never take for grated its great principles: the separation of powers, the individual guarantees in the Bill of Rights, the structure of federalism, the sovereignty of the people, the principles of the rule of law.

Don't let others action disenfranchise you from the process. Because the system only works if we stay involved. Daniel Webster wrote, "I apprehend no danger to our country from a foreign foe...our destruction, should it come at all, will be from the inattention of the people to the concerns of their government, from their carelessness and negligence." he continued, "I fear that they may place too implicit a confidence in their public servants, and fail properly to scrutinize their conduct..."

There are many ways to be involved...and to teach our children that they must become educated and involved. Harvard recently published a study that says families attending July 4 celebrations boosts their voter turnout and increases their political contributions later in life. It is unacceptable to attend July 4 celebrations but stay home on election day. Anyone that places more energy into preparing for the July 4 BBQ than researching political candidates and issues is missing both the spirit and the letter of the law of what it means to live in a republic.

Each of us must commit to never miss voting on election day. Commit to research the issues and the candidates. Commit to participating in the process of public policy because this process can and has taken away some freedoms. And lastly, live a moral life because James Madison said that, "our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

We live in a republic, if we can keep it. Only through our actions and contributions do we contribute to keeping it and defending the constitution and protecting the family.