Observations©

By Donald S. Conkey

Date: March 16, 2009 - # 9916 - Title: “We the people” can help restore basic Principles of Freedom?  (825)

In recent months I have been looking for, as have millions of others, an alternative to the two existing national political parties. I have never felt comfortable with the Democratic Party and its secular/socialistic leanings platform (I feel their current leaders are systematically destroying the American dream and its way of life), and I felt betrayed by the Republican Party last fall when President Bush and his treasury secretary totally abandoned the principles long held by republicans. I felt there must be a better political entity out there that I could put my trust in. There had to be, I felt, something that we the common people could get involved in and have their voices heard more clearly.

While searching for an alternative to the existing political entities now leading our country in the wrong direction, while totally ignoring the principles of liberty established by the Founders, I learned that if we don’t like the existing system it is up to “we the people” to change it. This new knowledge came from the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson wrote: “… - That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its Foundation on such Principles, and organizing its powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness….”

Then it dawned on me that this is exactly what happened during the recent election – Obama’s presidential platform was, and continues to be to “change” the principles this nation was founded on and replace them with principles taken from their secular/socialist platform. Obama’s supporters understood this principle and used it to win the election. One reason so many American voted for those empty and freedom destroying promises was because most of the younger generations and many of the older generations are ignorant of the basic principles their liberties are founded on. Our schools just do not teach these principles anymore, and haven’t taught them to the last two generations. Another reason for this “change in direction” was because of the apathy of those who refuse to get involved in politics or who believe their vote really doesn’t matter. How wrong they are. The consequences of this ignorance and inactivity will be a loss of more freedoms and liberties most modern Americans have taken for granted for far too long.

Last week, while attending the Cherokee County Republican County Convention, I abandoned my search for a new political entity as I watched “we the people” in action. It happened as the resolutions were being read. It dawned on me that I could have played a more prominent role in preparing those resolutions, resolutions of belief that move their way up from this local convention to the district, state and national conventions. Even though I didn’t fully agree with the resolutions I realized I could have played a more prominent role in creating these resolutions. I realized that this is “we the people” in action, a way to survive.

I have been known to spout off about there not being a dime’s worth of difference between the democrats and the republicans. This convention opened my eyes to the differences. It was Senator Chip Rogers who opened my eyes as he pointed out these differences, point by point, during his keynote address as he compared the Obama way using secular/socialist principles to what the Georgia legislature is trying to do using the free-market economic principles. The differences were clear, crystal clear. Senator Rogers set the tone for the three other speakers: Congressman Tom Price, Lt Governor Casey Cagle, and Senator Eric Johnson. And I ended up having to apologize to Melina Mock, a committee member of the state party.

Several other events helped me change my attitude. The first was when Glen Beck launched his new 9-12 Project Friday night on his TV program, a program aimed at educating those millions who don’t like the direction America is now going while ignoring those foundational principles of liberty the Founding Fathers believed in and used to establish America. Beck promoted two books, “The 5000 Year Leap,” and “The Real George Washington.”  These books are available at www.nccs.net. I also urge you to get involved, create a 9-12 Group, educate yourself and your friends on the principles of freedom, and then let your voice be heard.

The second event was Jennie Beth Martin’s presentation at the convention. Jennie Beth showed the convention attendees how to use the web to help people get politically involved. She referenced a new program titled “Tea Party Patriots,” (www.teapartypatriots.ning.com) a web based program designed to help “we the people” educate ourselves and our friends and neighbors, while becoming involved in our “we the people” government. And finally a statement by Neil A. Maxwell reminded me “that a decision not to make a decision (about getting involved) is a decision in itself.” Get involved!