I offer you a challenge. Read this, and if you do not believe in the precepts set forth in this article, you must admit that you are not a true American. This is a test, and it’s easy to pass if you are a true patriot. I believe in the principles of our founding fathers, and the Bill of Rights they created to protect individual freedom for the new nation’s people. If you don’t believe that they were wise and their efforts were worth the result, you believe in some other country, and some other political system.
The most important guarantee offered to the American people is the right to vote. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” States today which attempt to restrict voting rights are no longer a part of the United States of America. Freedom of speech not only covers the right to vote, but the rights of all men and women to have an opinion, and have it addressed by the government.
Like the great majority of our founding fathers, I consider myself a “Deist.” I believe that some supernatural entity must have created the heavens and earth. However, I do not believe in organized religion. Nor do I believe that if there is a god today, he or she is concerned with our daily lives or speaks to us directly. Religion must not be included in our political system; it is detrimental to good and just government.
I believe in the intent of the second amendment, but I also read the history and understand that it was poorly written and remains ambiguous. This was the amendment which was most contested by the Constitutional Convention in 1789. Two words, “Militia,” and “State” are important. The original intent was twofold; to insure that no other nation could invade an unarmed United States, and that slave owners in the southern states could prevent their slaves from procuring weapons. The fact that “State” is capitalized indicates a reference to the nation, and not individual provinces.
There is no conflict between protecting second amendment rights and sensible gun laws to protect the majority. This is a fairy tale created by the gun lobby; the NRA.
The Bill of Rights does not differentiate between sex, race, religion, political belief, or sexual orientation. There was no mention regarding the dominance of men over women; there was no reference to color of skin; a national religion was forbidden and all citizens were guaranteed the right to practice any religion they favored, or none at all; no restriction was placed on political affiliation; the sexual practices of individuals, was to be of no concern to the government. The greatest concern of our founding fathers was individual freedom with an important caveat forbidding that freedom to be harmful to the rights of others or the majority.
The Constitution provides for a Democratic Republic. The voting public would elect officials to represent their needs and desires in the nation’s Capital. There was no instruction which provided compensation for service, and no mention of “professional politicians.” Our legislators fail to believe in this principle. They seldom vote for the majority of Americans; instead they cast their votes for their own ambitions and those of special interests.
In the Constitution there are no “red” or “blue” states; there is only the United States. The electoral college has removed the importance of an individual’s vote. If you voted for Al Gore in 2000, and believed that because he won the popular vote your vote had counted; you were horribly mistaken.
So, how did you do? Did you agree with Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Franklin, Adams, and the others; or do you have a different opinion?
It’s not easy to be a patriot in America. It requires intellect, tolerance, understanding, forgiveness, and compassion. We are forbidden to quash the rights of others and force them to agree with our opinions and beliefs. Freedom isn’t free; far too many must fight for their rights daily, while our government attempts to control their daily lives.
One last question: How do you feel about Donald Trump now?
Op-ed
By James Turnage
The Truth With No Restrictions 