Freedom Is Lost In A Land Of Ignorance & Forgetfulness
Yes, “Freedom Lost”, it cannot be explained any other way. We sat at a corner in the Louisiana Town of Franklinton, outside a gun shop to be specific, and passed out free bumper stickers for those who would sign a petition to support the Second Amendment. We got many more signatures than stickers, but what made all of us ponder was some of the questions asked of us. One individual in particular stood out amongst the rest. He drove up in a four wheel truck with gun racks in the back window and a rifle sitting in the rack nice and plain for all to see. We walked up to him and asked him if he would sign the petition in support of the Second Amendment. What this individual stated nearly took our breath. He looked at us without hesitation and simply asked, “What is the Second Amendment?” Now how hard would it be for any tyrant to remove a part of the Constitution if some people do not even know what it is? This is the way we lose our freedoms, by not knowing what the very basis of all our freedom is based upon. We do these types of events and it always seems to amaze us when an individual does not know what the Constitution or part of it is. Have we, as a nation, become so involved in our own small little worlds that we have forgotten about the larger picture? Thomas Jefferson stated; “On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.”, Letter to William Johnson from Thomas Jefferson, June 12, 1823, The Complete Jefferson, p322.” Here we have direct insight to the ideas of what the Constitution was designed for. We see that we as a people should never second-guess this very fine art of written words. We should use it as a guide for us to follow and not try to alter. But if “WE THE PEOPLE” do not know what it means nor what it is, how are we going to support, defend or protect it? Have we failed as a nation to pass on the importance of this document? Jefferson shows just why we as a people should ask the very serious questions of any politician, from the bottom to the top. As a nation, we have to stop this and if need be, replace all those in Congress, the White House and in the Judicial branch who do not support the very basis of the Constitution! If we do not, just how many more individuals will not be able to know what parts of the Constitution apply to them? Ben Franklin, also one of those men that faced death for even considering signing the Declaration of Independence, stated what seems to be going on today. “When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” Franklin also seemed to speak out to us against the Transportation Security Administration. “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither safety nor liberty.” How hard is it for people to remember that parts of our Constitution gives us rights that very few nations around the world enjoy? From the words of a few people at some of the rallies in support of the Second Amendment, it would seem that many people just have no idea of where or what rights they have. We would almost be willing to bet that some of those people that bail out into the streets to yell and carry on about losing their rights could not even begin to state what part of the Constitution gave them that right just to protest! John Adams made some statements that pertain to the very times our nation is in at the moment. “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution. John Adams, letter to Jonathan Jackson, Oct. 2, 1789” If we read this correctly it speaks out against two parties battling out their own ideas and not ideas for the good of the people of the nation nor for the good of the Constitution! How have we as a nation become to almost back away from being wrapped up in our freedom and given that up just for the sake of being a member of a certain party? Do we really need two parties? Why do we need them , so they can argue and fight over every little thing as they do now and get no where at all? If our nation is ever to continue on with the freedom we now have, we as a people have to begin to understand what our Constitution is and why it was written. If we do not understand that, we will be lied to, cheated and told that the Constitution can be changed because it needs to keep up with present times. Obama has said that so maybe John Adams knew this back when he was working on the Constitution and that is why he made that statement! Just as sure that the sun will rise in the morning, the time that we as a people forget what the Constitution means or what it represents, that will be the time when our freedom is lost!