Two hundred and forty-eight years ago tomorrow, the members of the Second Continental Congress penned the words of the Declaration of Independence. When one of the 200 printed copies reached King George III, Britain’s monarch denounced the declaration, calling the authors "misguided Americans" with "their extravagant and inadmissible Claim of Independency." Despite however “misguided” or “extravagant” the Founding Fathers were, their words penned in this famous document are now etched into history forever.
As the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Abraham Lincoln called the Declaration of Independence “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression.” According to archives.gov, “[I]t continues to inspire people around the world to fight for freedom and equality."
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness undergirded the colonists' claim for the right to be independent of Britain and free to form a government by the people, not a king. They wished to be free from the oppressive rule and taxation forced on them by the Crown. In forging a new country, they were men of differing opinions who came together for the greater good. While there were not yet any political parties in this nascent nation, the Founding Fathers indeed put the good of the country over their own individual political beliefs.
Recently, Republican and Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell wrote an op-ed in the New York Times, expounding on the need to uphold our democratic ideals. Yet, he continues to throw his support to the one candidate, Trump, who is the biggest threat to our democracy. If only McConnell would put his country over his party instead of capitulating to Trump and the minority members who wield the power of the GOP for their own benefit and not for the American people. But alas, he does not have the bravery to face the Freedom Caucus of the Republican Party, or perhaps he is driven by his own quest for power. By falling in step with them, his words on democracy ring hollow.
As a former Republican, I feel sad that the Republican Party has moved so far to the right and no longer supports the Constitution, democracy, or the rule of law. Democracy needs two viable parties to survive, both committed to democracy and both committed to the greater good. We no longer have that in the US.
We may disagree on different policies, like reproductive rights, immigration, the economy, taxes, gun control, or foreign policy, but we can all support the Constitution and democracy.
Lawmakers as well as military personnel take oaths to support the Constitution. When they support a candidate like Trump who, by his own actions, as seen in his recent criminal trial, believes he is above the law and has demonstrated that he believes he does not have to obey the Constitution, these lawmakers have broken their oath of service. When lawmakers say they are for democracy but throw their support behind Trump, a convicted felon (on 34 counts) who tried to influence the 2016 election in his favor, then these lawmakers have put their party over their country.
By contrast, last week, former Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a military veteran and current member of the Air National Guard, endorsed Biden for president saying, “[W]hile I certainly don’t agree with President Biden on everything, and I never thought I’d be endorsing a Democrat for president, I know that he will always protect the very thing that makes America the best country in the world: our democracy…Donald Trump poses a direct threat to every fundamental American value. He doesn’t care about our country. He doesn’t care about you. He only cares about himself. And he’ll hurt anyone or anything in pursuit of power.” Kinzinger is a clear example of putting the country over his party.
Unlike Kinzinger, those in the Republican party who adhere to Trump and the Far Right rather than to their oaths of office or any convictions regarding democracy demonstrate their allegiance is not to the flag or to America. They do not have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans in mind - only for themselves. They are no longer the “Grand Old Party,” a nickname from the 1870’s that marked their role in preserving the Union during the Civil War. Republicans who claim they are the party of Lincoln, have become so un-Lincoln as to not carry forth his beliefs in democracy. Lincoln held democracy so dear that he gave his life for it, at the hands of a mad man who was pro-slavery, anti-abolition, and anti-immigration (as a member of the Know Nothings party). Lincoln, the antithesis of Booth, died on the right side of history. Booth is an anathema, forever denounced by history.
When leaders and far-right members put the Republican party over the country, they elevate Trump, a presidential candidate who promises to consolidate power into his own hands, threatens vengeance against his political enemies, plans to use the military against peaceful protesters, and prepares to arrest, detain, and deport illegal immigrants. Democracy will be lost. Where there is no democracy, there will be no debate on reproductive rights, immigration, the economy, taxes, gun control, or foreign policy, or any other policy issue, because all policies will be at the whim of a dictator. When you vote, vote for democracy, even if that means putting the country over your long-held party. In the long run, when democracy wins, we all win.
John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961, said that throughout history, there are generations chosen to defend democracy and “freedom in its hour of maximum danger.” He said, “I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it…And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.”
What can we do for our country? We can be that stumbling block to tyranny and oppression to prevent would-be dictators and their allies from ascending to power and destroying democracy. Become informed through trusted resources about the candidates and the issues. Register to vote. Encourage people in your sphere of influence to register to vote. And vote! Like your life, your liberty, and your pursuit of happiness depends upon it. Because it does.
NOTE: Fast forward from 1776 to 1916, to another revolution against the British Crown. On the island of Ireland, Republicans (those for an independent Republic of Ireland) fought the British for their right to self-govern, and finally in 1922 won their independence. The Republic of Ireland was created from the 26 predominately Catholic counties out of the total of 32 Irish counties. The remaining six counties in the northern part of the island who were predominately Protestant became Northern Ireland, a country that would (and still does) remain part of the United Kingdom. The Cliffs of Moher were beautiful to behold on a recent trip to Ireland.
Text and photograph copyright © 2024 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe. Subscribers receive an email each month that includes the post with the lead photo as well as bonus photos not posted on the website. Email addresses are never sold or shared.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
As the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Abraham Lincoln called the Declaration of Independence “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression.” According to archives.gov, “[I]t continues to inspire people around the world to fight for freedom and equality."
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness undergirded the colonists' claim for the right to be independent of Britain and free to form a government by the people, not a king. They wished to be free from the oppressive rule and taxation forced on them by the Crown. In forging a new country, they were men of differing opinions who came together for the greater good. While there were not yet any political parties in this nascent nation, the Founding Fathers indeed put the good of the country over their own individual political beliefs.
Recently, Republican and Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell wrote an op-ed in the New York Times, expounding on the need to uphold our democratic ideals. Yet, he continues to throw his support to the one candidate, Trump, who is the biggest threat to our democracy. If only McConnell would put his country over his party instead of capitulating to Trump and the minority members who wield the power of the GOP for their own benefit and not for the American people. But alas, he does not have the bravery to face the Freedom Caucus of the Republican Party, or perhaps he is driven by his own quest for power. By falling in step with them, his words on democracy ring hollow.
As a former Republican, I feel sad that the Republican Party has moved so far to the right and no longer supports the Constitution, democracy, or the rule of law. Democracy needs two viable parties to survive, both committed to democracy and both committed to the greater good. We no longer have that in the US.
We may disagree on different policies, like reproductive rights, immigration, the economy, taxes, gun control, or foreign policy, but we can all support the Constitution and democracy.
Lawmakers as well as military personnel take oaths to support the Constitution. When they support a candidate like Trump who, by his own actions, as seen in his recent criminal trial, believes he is above the law and has demonstrated that he believes he does not have to obey the Constitution, these lawmakers have broken their oath of service. When lawmakers say they are for democracy but throw their support behind Trump, a convicted felon (on 34 counts) who tried to influence the 2016 election in his favor, then these lawmakers have put their party over their country.
By contrast, last week, former Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), a military veteran and current member of the Air National Guard, endorsed Biden for president saying, “[W]hile I certainly don’t agree with President Biden on everything, and I never thought I’d be endorsing a Democrat for president, I know that he will always protect the very thing that makes America the best country in the world: our democracy…Donald Trump poses a direct threat to every fundamental American value. He doesn’t care about our country. He doesn’t care about you. He only cares about himself. And he’ll hurt anyone or anything in pursuit of power.” Kinzinger is a clear example of putting the country over his party.
Unlike Kinzinger, those in the Republican party who adhere to Trump and the Far Right rather than to their oaths of office or any convictions regarding democracy demonstrate their allegiance is not to the flag or to America. They do not have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans in mind - only for themselves. They are no longer the “Grand Old Party,” a nickname from the 1870’s that marked their role in preserving the Union during the Civil War. Republicans who claim they are the party of Lincoln, have become so un-Lincoln as to not carry forth his beliefs in democracy. Lincoln held democracy so dear that he gave his life for it, at the hands of a mad man who was pro-slavery, anti-abolition, and anti-immigration (as a member of the Know Nothings party). Lincoln, the antithesis of Booth, died on the right side of history. Booth is an anathema, forever denounced by history.
When leaders and far-right members put the Republican party over the country, they elevate Trump, a presidential candidate who promises to consolidate power into his own hands, threatens vengeance against his political enemies, plans to use the military against peaceful protesters, and prepares to arrest, detain, and deport illegal immigrants. Democracy will be lost. Where there is no democracy, there will be no debate on reproductive rights, immigration, the economy, taxes, gun control, or foreign policy, or any other policy issue, because all policies will be at the whim of a dictator. When you vote, vote for democracy, even if that means putting the country over your long-held party. In the long run, when democracy wins, we all win.
John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural speech on January 20, 1961, said that throughout history, there are generations chosen to defend democracy and “freedom in its hour of maximum danger.” He said, “I do not shrink from this responsibility – I welcome it…And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.”
What can we do for our country? We can be that stumbling block to tyranny and oppression to prevent would-be dictators and their allies from ascending to power and destroying democracy. Become informed through trusted resources about the candidates and the issues. Register to vote. Encourage people in your sphere of influence to register to vote. And vote! Like your life, your liberty, and your pursuit of happiness depends upon it. Because it does.
NOTE: Fast forward from 1776 to 1916, to another revolution against the British Crown. On the island of Ireland, Republicans (those for an independent Republic of Ireland) fought the British for their right to self-govern, and finally in 1922 won their independence. The Republic of Ireland was created from the 26 predominately Catholic counties out of the total of 32 Irish counties. The remaining six counties in the northern part of the island who were predominately Protestant became Northern Ireland, a country that would (and still does) remain part of the United Kingdom. The Cliffs of Moher were beautiful to behold on a recent trip to Ireland.
Text and photograph copyright © 2024 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved.
Not a subscriber to the monthly blog posts? Click here to subscribe. Subscribers receive an email each month that includes the post with the lead photo as well as bonus photos not posted on the website. Email addresses are never sold or shared.
A NOTE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE:
Jesus says the greatest commandments are to love God and to love people (Matthew 22:37-40). The Christian faith boils down to these two precepts.
Social justice puts that love into action by helping individuals who are oppressed, mistreated, or suffering, and by pursuing ways to dismantle systems of oppression. How we treat others, particularly those less powerful in society than ourselves, matters (Matthew 25:31-46).
Racial justice is one aspect of social justice. Check out my web page on “Justice Matters” to find resources and to connect with organizations engaging in the cause of racial justice. Click here to learn more.
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