“Observations”©
Donald S. Conkey
Date: September 13, 2007 - # 937 –
America’s Constitution’s Birthday (811)
When was
the last time you read the Constitution of the United States?
Or for that matter when was the last time you pondered the wisdom and principles
of freedom the Founders embedded in Americans foundational document of law, that document that continues to be a beacon of
hope for the world’s enslaved even as it continues to be assaulted by its enemies, those that would take from us the
liberties it has guaranteed for 220 years? It will always have its enemies, those who think the common man is not capable
of self government and needs ‘them’ to do their thinking and planning for them.
The “thems” of the world would take from us our agency and establish
a form of government first suggested by Plato in his book The Republic. The Republic became the text book for dictatorial
governments and for all dictators and despots who disdain the common man and substitute slavery for the liberties Moses was
told to “proclaim throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof” (Lev 25:10), the scripture the Founders
inscribed on their Liberty Bell in 1751.
Monday, September 17, is the 220th anniversary of the signing of
America’s foundational document of freedom and liberty. This anniversary will pass without the fanfare Americans reserve
for the signing of the Declaration of Independence but it is of equal importance, perhaps more so. Jefferson’s document
only “declared” America’s independence; the Constitution established the foundational law by which America’s
liberties could be established and practiced.
The current debate over the war in Iraq may help us better understand the difficulty
of restoring liberties to a nation once lost. We need to remember the Founding Fathers were not seeking to separate from England
but only to obtain the same freedoms the British had. We can find in the list of abuses Jefferson enumerated in his Declaration
the same abuses the Iraqi people would list against Saddam Hussein.
The similarities between Iraq’s fight for freedom and America’s
fight for freedom include:
1. Three
distinct groups of people: those for independence, those against independence, and those neutral to independence. America’s
three groups played major roles in crafting America’s balanced structure of government. And Iraq’s three unique
groups are playing similar roles in crafting their government today.
2. Both
nations had its crucial moments where failure could have destroyed all hopes.
3. Both
groups believed in God, America in Christ and their Bible, the Iraqi in Allah and their Koran.
4. Both
groups had been living under a tyrant: the Colonists under King George III, the Iraqi under Hussein.
5. Both
groups had strong opponents to creating a nation of freedom. The Revolutionary War was a war of terrorism not unlike what
is going on in Iraq today. Samuel Adams, now known affectionately as the Father of the Revolution, was a terrorist. Fully
one-third of the colonists, including two of my ancestral families, were Tories and were strongly opposed to breaking ties
with Great Britain. After the war the Tories were forced to leave their homes and move to Canada where they again lived under
the king’s rule.
6. America
had its ally in France. Without France Washington’s efforts would have failed. France sent thousands of troops, war
ships, supplies, and money without which America could not have survived. French soldiers gave their lives for America’s
freedoms. Iraq has its allies, America and Great Britain. Without these two allies Iraq could not have thrown off the brutal
tyranny of Hussein. And American and British soldiers continue to give their lives so the Iraqi people can have their freedom
and bring hope to a troubled region.
7. There
is a common thread among all mankind – they are born free with God given unalienable rights, freedoms that burn in the
bosoms of all people. Yet the fear of the unknown is so powerful it requires wise and intelligent men and women to step forward
and, when necessary, give their lives that their fellow man may find that freedom so deeply embedded in their hearts, regardless
of nationality, race, or religious belief.
And lastly, I believe it is God’s will that all His people be free. When
the Revolutionary War began 99 percent of the world’s population lived under tyranny. Today, because of America’s
Foundational Documents, freedom continues to spread around the world. God can not accomplish his goal of “bringing to
pass the immortality and eternal life of man” if man is not free and able to chose (agency) for themselves.
If it has been some time since you read your Constitution then perhaps this
week end would be a good time to both read and ponder it, and to make it a point of discussion with your family. Also remember
the price that has been paid for the freedoms you now enjoy. Don’t take them lightly, they too can be lost.
