You could see it in their eyes and you could sense the passion that this communal concourse of patriots had in their hearts. Their placards displayed both witticism and originality but it was their united voice that melded the message.
April 15th was “Tax Day” and we were gathered together to participate in a nationally held “Tea Party.” It was a day to remember. I’ll not soon forget the emotion of the crowd and the fever pitch the participants exuded. It was an honor to mingle among them and to address the concerns of this spirited group. The voice of the people was heard.
In recognition of this celebration of freedom I decided to present a synopsis of the thoughts I shared with the assembled group. It is not verbatim. I spoke from fragmented notes and from the heart, but it is an accurate expression of my comments. Here is what I had to say in my address:
“It is an honor to be with you today. This gathering reinforces my abiding faith in our great Nation and your participation affirms the wisdom of our “Founding Fathers” who entrusted this Nation’s continuing prosperity, not to the Federal government or a government at any level, but to the people…”the consent of the governed.” We are a people born of revolution and today we must begin anew to reestablish the guiding principals that made us great.” As Alexander Hamilton said, “If the government oversteps its bounds, the people who created it must take measures.”
Today there are those within our society that do not and perhaps cannot understand why those like us are gathered in protest. We have no paid organizers and we have no appointed leaders. This is truly a grass roots event. We are the people! Our Constitution begins with the words “We the people” and its Bill of Rights ends with “the people.” In between is a marvelous document revered as a model for the world. We gather together in a band of unity…the unity of freedom. We are not extremist, we are merely loyal Americans exercising our right to free speech and assembly.
This is not a Democratic or Republican event. It is an event to celebrate freedom and the Constitution that created this great Republic. We demand change, but change of a different kind…it is a change not being offered. It is a return to our roots, the Constitution. Never did I envision the day when our founding values would be under such a concerted attack. Our inalienable rights are under siege! Failure in their restoration is not an option.
Our representative democracy has been challenged by those who call themselves progressives. Many now look to government for answers and solutions. Their solutions include…social security, the postal service, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Medicare…the list goes on and on. Is this the same government we want to run our lives and chart the course of our destiny? I say no! Let the Federal Government secure our borders and defend the Nation…as was the intent!
The arrogance of Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and their socialist ilk is the problem, not the solution. For many years they and their like have chipped away at our rights and privileges. Now we are faced with an administration that believes we and our military veterans are the threat! I will not tolerate this elitist attitude. I dare them to cast doubt on the very people who made this nation a bellwether of freedom. We cannot and will not allow this group to trample on the graves of our fathers. Our message is simple and strong. WE ARE MAD AS HELL AND WON’T TAKE IT ANY MORE!
Our purpose today is to serve as a message…a symbol of protest! Protesting ever rising taxes is only an example of government encroachment. The real issue is the incessant intrusion of government in our daily lives. “The people” created the state and the states granted limited power to a federal government. The table has turned and now “we the people” are being dictated to by government at all levels. We must demand that our rights of citizenship be restored. From Koop Drive to the White House our voice must be heard! Mandates and entitlements must be adjusted and elected officials must be returned to their intended roles as public servants.
The Federal, State and local budgets are out of control. I, for one, can’t even fathom a trillion dollars…can you? The answer from politicians seems to always be, raise taxes. I say find the economies, efficiencies and innovations needed or we the people will have to rethink how we select our elected leaders! If they won’t lead…we will!
Change… it’s more like short-changed. I cannot accept an administration that bows to foreign idols or does not acknowledge that this is a Christian Nation. We are being duped by socialists, trans-nationals, liberals and progressives whose arrogant and elitist attitude cannot be tolerated! This administration seeks to control business and commerce, redistribute wealth, impose cradle to grave socialism and destroy the value system of our nation. Criticism of this nation on foreign soil is repulsive! Forcing doctors to perform medical procedures that violate their beliefs is abhorrent, but it is the total disregard for our Constitution that disgraces us all.
Our Constitution, along with the Judeo-Christian Bible and our Declaration of Independence, is the bedrock of our Republic. We are not a true democracy as many liberal thinkers tout…this word is not to be found in our Constitution. We are a Republic, a state in which supreme power is held by the people through elected representatives. Our assurance of power over government rests in the “Bill of Rights”, the first ten Amendments to our Constitution.
The First Amendment has a very important beginning. It begins with the words “Congress shall make no law…” This sets the tone of all other rights. Freedom of religion does not mean absence of religion! A tour of our national shrines in Washington, D.C. will attest to the faith of our fathers. All pay tribute to our religious heritage in script and statues etched in stone. The Second Amendment guarantees our right to bear arms. It may surprise many in this audience that all “able bodied men between the ages of 18-45 are automatically members of the Louisiana Militia! It is written in our State Constitution. …Let us not forget! While these Amendments are of critical importance, the most abused right is in the Tenth Amendment. It states that “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.” Over time through assistance, encumbrances and then extortion, states have abrogated these rights to the Federal government.
James Madison warned, “I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedoms of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those powers than by violent and sudden usurpations.” HOW TRUE! …we must reclaim our rights.
All Federal officers take an oath to uphold the Constitution. I served as a Regular Army Officer for thirty years. Never have I forgotten my oath to “protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, FOREIGN and DOMESTIC.” Like so many before me I swore an oath of elegancy not to a President, a Congress or to the military. My oath was to the people and I will continue to honor the responsibility that goes with this solemn pledge. It is a sacred trust that we must all join in…remember the words of Thomas Jefferson, “We in America do not have government by the majority…we have government by the majority who participate.”
God bless you and …God bless America! Thank you.