This is Thursday, a national holiday. I woke at the usual time between 5:15 and 5:30 AM and decided to do my regular back exercises. Nothing strenuous, but my back tells me I need them. During the first set, it occurred to me that today is the 4th. It is a national holiday to celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Then it occurred to read the Constitution of the United States. I finished my exercises, lay down next to K. for a few moments, then told her of my plans. We will have breakfast, then it will be time to read.
Added note: Yes I did read the Constitution. Had to look up a few phrases to be sure I was understanding it correctly.
After turning on the computer the time seemed appropriate to write a few words as to my thoughts and intents while awaiting breakfast and before my read. A copy of the Constitution is already on my computer as it has been recently needed for reference while writing a few essays.
As I wrote these words a bit of sadness and concern passed over me.
We are in some rather difficult times. It just may be the case that, for these past, maybe, three years, our democracy is more at risk than it has been for the last two hundred years. Excepting the Civil War about 150 years ago.
This worry has been in my mind since the Republican Party’s nominations for president and greatly magnified by the election of 2016. The trigger point for this particular episode was hearing about Republican Congressman Chip Roy of Texas. He urges Trump to ignore the Supreme Court, which has explicitly ruled against him. Using a broad concept of the word, this behavior is fundamentally an act of Treason. It may not meet the technical definition, we are not in a time of declared war, etc., but consider what Roy has said. The Supreme Court is the final arbitrator of what is legal and what is not. This person, an elected member of Congress, is urging the President of the United States to ignore a specific ruling by the Supreme Court.
Our Democracy, our Republic that we call the United States of America, is indeed in serious jeopardy.
Right here, right now, today.
On this Fourth of July, this celebration of not only our declaration of Independence, but of our long enduring nation, I ask you, dear reader to do the following:
Read our constitution. Think about why it was created. Think about the fundamental concept of these United States. Think about this Congressman, this President, and their behavior. Are you worried? Are you sufficiently concerned to actually take action?
We hope to hear from you soon.
Last note: On this important day, please find and read our Constitution.
Or anywhere you find a copy. Just read it. That will be a patriotic activity.
Read it any time. That will always be patriotic.