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What
A Difference 212 Years Makes
June
9, 2001
by JM
With all we see and hear from Washington today, all the action
and all the inaction, isn't it amazing to realize how far
we have come in 212 years since the signing of our Constitution?
In the days of the Continental Congress men considered traitors
by their home country sweated under threat of war to create
a new republic free of repression and persecution. In those
days men had the courage to stand for their convictions and
serve the public to the best of their ability. While notable
disagreements existed between the colonies, men who served
our nation's interests worked through long arduous hours to
hammer out a framework that we, and other nations worldwide,
have come to realize is the most flexible and fair system
of government on the planet.
Were these men hypocrites? Many, yes. While freedom was our
noble pursuit, it was clearly not for everyone as documented
by our own Constitution and subsequent Amendments. Were these
men perfect? Likely not. They were human and subject to human
error as we all are. When held for scrutiny under Liberty's
light, however, the men who wrote and signed the U.S. Constitution
operated with a common goal and a common civility to serve
the fledgling republic's citizens.
In case you missed it, let me repeat that last part.
The men who wrote and signed the U.S. Constitution operated
with a common goal and a common civility to serve the fledgling
republic's citizens.
What a difference we see in 212 years. With the continuing
stream of corruption and general lack of moral character in
both parties, we have the wholesale purchase of government
offices on many levels. The average citizen can no longer
afford, financially or personally, to run for office. What
was once considered a noble profession has now fallen to the
depths of ridicule and spite on every level. What once founded
our nation has now turned it's very citizens into the largest
free gathering of cynicism an dpessimism on the planet.
Perhaps we have not come far at all, rather we have slipped
perilously close to that which we escaped in 1776. Perhaps
all members of our governments from Federal to local need
to be reminded that they are in a position of Public Service.
"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat
it." - Thomas Jefferson
America, and particularly our U.S. government, you are staring
at a D+ that no amount of national testing will fix. We need
to not only rethink our own roles in our government as citizens,
but our interactions with our fellow citizens. No matter how
we view our opposition, we must remember that without the
hard work and civility displayed by the Continental Congress,
we would not be here today. What worked then must work now
if we are to regain the core strength that once made this
country a beacon to the world. On the Fourth of July, sometime
during your parade and cookout filled day, take one moment
to recall what the holiday represents and be sure to pass
it on in the hopes of a better future. I know I will.
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