There has been much talk lately of
civil war. People ask: could the United States be on the brink of a Second
American Civil War? Is it even possible? It is, of course, surpassingly sad
that we must even entertain such thoughts, but that is the state of our
estrangement. It is hard to imagine another civil war being fought,
structurally speaking. What two armies would oppose each other with what manner
of weapons?
It would certainly be better for
the nation if instead we undertook a Second American Revolution. We need to
recommit ourselves to limited government of, by and for the people. We need to
re-enshrine the rule of law…and equality under the law-- instead of putting up
with one set of rules for the elites and another for the “deplorables.” If we
are to have any hope of slowing down the balkanization of America and stopping
the rush to tribalism and chaos, if we are to treat people equally and each
individual life with dignity, we must re-establish the primacy of Natural Law.
Because all lives matter. As the Declaration of Independence states: “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, that among these
are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” No matter what leftists say,
these words have helped lead countless millions around the world out of bondage
and into prosperity. It is time that we seriously heeded them again.
The Constitution, our Founding
document, the nation’s blueprint as it were, has a preamble reading: “WE THE
PEOPLE of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote
the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our
Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of
America.” The First Ten Amendments to this American operations manual are
called the Bill of Rights. (Meaning rights the people have that
government does not and can’t legitimately take away). All but the Third are
clearly under attack and have essentially been abrogated by the ever-swelling
federal government.
Amendment I says Congress can make
no law preventing the freedom of speech or the free exercise of religion. Yet,
conservatives’ voices are muzzled, especially on college campuses, and
Christians are routinely harassed and prevented from praying in public, etc,
etc.
Amendment II assures us of the
right to bear arms, i.e. defend ourselves, and we all know this is anathema to
progressives.
Amendment VI guarantees that “the
accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial
jury…” Ask President Trump how that’s working for him now. The Swamp doesn’t
care for outsiders. Even those in the same national government, whatever their
station.
The Tenth Amendment avers that “The
powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited
by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the
people.” In reality, since the first half of the Twentieth Century, the federal
government has grown and expanded at a rate greater than the rest of the
universe, arbitrarily usurping power and running roughshod over both the 50
states and the citizens that reside in them.
Prior to-- and throughout-- the
American Revolution, the Colonies’ leaders exhibited extraordinary wisdom,
courage and fortitude. Five of the men who signed The Declaration were
imprisoned by the British under brutally harsh conditions. Several were
continually hunted down and had to stay on the run. No fewer than nine had
their homes ransacked and burned. One lost his son while he was serving in the
Revolutionary army. Many who had been wealthy were brought to financial ruin.
All in the service of their fellow citizens, their nation, and their God.
Is this conceivable today? Who can
envision a modern-day politician exclaiming they only regret they have but one
life to give to their country? Who would lead troops—literally ride out in
front of them in harms way-- for nearly a decade against a foe of overwhelming
superiority…and refuse pay for doing so? Who would honestly state “Give me
liberty or give me death?” Today’s “leaders” are too busy scheming how to
retain and enhance their power. And planning how best to market their memoirs
upon leaving office so that they can line their own coffers with cash and live
a life of luxury while purporting to be terribly concerned with all the right
issues, such as “climate change” and transgender “rights.”
It is too much to ask for a Clinton
to have the character of George Washington. It is too much to ask for an
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be versed in the history of ancient governments…or,
probably, to point to Philadelphia on a map.
It is also likely too much to ask
Americans to rededicate themselves to ensuring that government of the people,
for the people, by the people, doesn’t soon perish from the Earth. But we must
do it anyway. It is time to exchange devolution for revolution.
The Founders created what has been
called the “Last best hope of Earth.”
It is up to us to save it. Even if
we must pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.