A republic, if we can keep it

When the Founders pondered and visualized a government to establish the United States of America, they wrote of their concerns over conditions that could bring about epic failure; politicians weak enough to give into passion and caprice, who are self-interested and imperfectly rational, have a willingness to betray the public trust and oppress portions of the population. So, they created a system that relied upon its members’ propensity for compromise and conciliation to overcome deficiencies in reason. They developed a presidential power to first and foremost faithfully executed the laws of the nation. They created a guide that (among other things) barred the official establishment of one religion over others, in effort to inspire free thinking and beliefs. As this difficult and incredible process concluded the following question was put to Benjamin Franklin, “What have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” Franklin’s response: “A republic, if you can keep it.”

I am sorry to say Mr. Franklin, that we may be on the brink of not keeping it. The conservative (or con-serve-ourselves) politicians have ignored your plans, your rules, your hard work and are planning to destroy what could be the greatest experience in the history of nations. They have chosen retribution over compromise, acceptance of irrational, dangerous, and illegal behavior, and are oppressing other Americans with laws and vilification. Unless true Americans vote to save the United States and keep your dream alive, we have failed.

M J Redlinger

Lone Tree