Documenting history as it happens.
This Fourth of July
I want to enjoy this Fourth of July. I really do. I want to be able to rejoice in the sheer prosperity of this country. However, I cannot help but be dismayed by the imminent path this country is headed. I know our country has been in worse situations. Imagine trying to recover from the Civil War in the latter part of the 19th Century, especially if you were in the South. Imagine recovering from either of the World Wars or the Great Depression, or the assassination of JFK. We have seen worse as a nation. Few in this nation, however, have a real remembrance of a time worse than this.
Furthermore, I am bothered by the feeling that I do not belong to any major political party; that is, the feeling that no one group shares my sentiments on issues. I guess that could be a good thing. I have never identified with the Democratic Party. Perhaps the Blue Dogs, if only for their fiscal conservative nature. I have always leaned toward the GOP, I guess, but I highly disagree with their ties to “big government” and special interests; this is in opposition to what I believe to be our “founders’ intent.” More and more, I feel drawn away from the Neocons. I suppose I would be a neolibertarian, if I had to define myself. This is in contrast to a paleolibertarian; those guys are pretty extreme.
Since I have no real ties to a certain party, I don’t hesitate in criticizing either the left or the right. But since it is Independence Day, I thought I would be “fair” and focus on an issue being raised by both: The Fairness Doctrine (again). I’d like to emphasize what I believe to be its inherently unconstitutional basis and the hidden potential unfounded intentions. I apologize in advance for the guaranteed ramblings and the connections I will attempt to make.
The Fairness Doctrine is a resurrected proposal requiring “the other side” to be represented in the press with regards to political discussion. Sens. Lott and Feinstein argue for fairness in media, where words like “amnesty” could be specifically omitted from discussion. In my view, a federally mandated, controlled media mimics the Soviet Union a little too much. I wasn’t even alive during the majority of this struggle and I see how this proposal constrains the intent of our First Amendment and smells of tyranny. In Communist Russia, religion and the press were regulated, and the freedoms of speech and assembly did not truly exist. I just do not understand how current legislators see the Fairness Doctrine consistent with the freedoms all of us enjoy; freedoms some fight to defend; and freedoms a select few have laid down their lives for.
Perhaps legislators think these Amendments ebb and flow in the Supreme Court or in the halls of Congress, as they were not part of the Constitution as drafted. However, fifteen years before the inclusion of the Bill of Rights into the Constitution, our Declaration of Independence referred to our personal freedoms as “certain unalienable Rights.” These rights are firmly rooted and plainly stated. To deliberately modify the freedom of speech, even during an election campaign (sorry, Senator McCain; know that I still love you) is not in accordance with the intent for this or any free society.
The current legislative body has taken an oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies foreign and domestic;” this duty seems clear to me. If this group discredits the Constitution, maybe they will heed the lessons from only fifteen years earlier, given July 4, 1776. If government fails to represent the will of this democracy, the people will heed the call, as it was noted then, in 1776: “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.”
But today, it seems not enough people care about the stakes or the issues at hand. George Orwell wrote of a group deemed by Marx as the proletariat. To Marx, the proletariat could take the power back, reclaim government and establish the perfect system. “If there is any hope,” Orwell wrote, “it lies with the proles;” that is, the working class heroes, those who had no more wealth than the family surrounding them. Today, the proletariat has expanded to transcend wealth. In fact, wealth is not the defining factor at all. Anybody can be a proletarian, as it has become an assumed mindset. The proles are those more caught up with themselves, and therefore unable to agree or disagree, consent or dissent. The people who care about progress and the American dream are no match for the apathy of the proles. Today, these people are approached by Jay Leno on the street and are a mockery because they do not recognize pictures of the Defense and State Secretaries or the Vice President of the United States. They simply do not care, and hope instead dies with the proles.
I hope I’m wrong, though. In the tremendous election pool for President in 2008, there are not many outliers with the exception of Mike Gravel, Dennis Kucinich, and Ron Paul. All three come across as a little crazy, but Ron Paul is at least consistent as the self-proclaimed “Champion of the Constitution.” Representative Paul reflects the feelings given above by myself, and offers a bit of hope, in a statement he gave January 2000:
“The nature of a republic and the current status of our own are of little concern to the American people in general. Yet there is a small minority, ignored by political, academic, and media personnel, who do spend time thinking about the importance of what the proper role for government should be. The comparison of today’s government to the one established by our Constitution is a subject of deep discussion for those who concern themselves with the future and look beyond the fall election (of 2000). The benefits we enjoy are a result of the Constitution our Founding Fathers had the wisdom to write. However, understanding the principles that were used to establish our nation is crucial to its preservation and something we cannot neglect.”
This Fourth of July, I wish I could concentrate more on the benefits we enjoy, the principles of this nation’s foundation, and the prosperity we see daily than on the obvious negatives in which we are so consumed. Seriously, when half a million people pay 700 dollars for a cell phone over one weekend, that is a sign of national prosperity! This Fourth of July, I also hope we all can consider the direction we want to take this nation…as a people. Theodore Roosevelt said 100 years ago, “We are the government. You and I.” Therefore, we as citizens are commissioned to ensure the security of the nation as prescribed in the Declaration of Independence. Let us not forget what Ronald Reagan pointed out: “Freedom is never more than a generation away from extinction.” At the same time, though, let us not forget how much was done for us to have these freedoms today.
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Our 4th is especially dreary, but very welcome. It is nice, at times, to have one of those days that forces you to hold up in the house. We went to a fun-run this morning, but seeing as it was an early wake up and I didn’t run, I really didn’t have any fun. I didn’t eat anything either! More no fun. I have spent the day just hitting the top, bills, picking up, etc. as I have been working, even on my vacation. The absence of my kids is a feeling like abandonment, yet it is bound to happen with time. I thoroughly enjoyed reading what my son rambled/wrote. I don’t always understand it all, but what scares me is that I probably understand more than most Americans do. I can not seem to seperate spin from fact. My husband seems to think he can, but I am not always sure of that. Can anyone really seperate them? The media makes it so difficult. I think I support parts of the war. I think I support the president although I wish he wouldn’t make it so hard for me to. I tried to support Carter at a time no one would as I think it is the thing we need to do. I, however, could not support Clinton. Once “he” happened, I feel we are more likely not to support the actions of our president. I grew up thinking that people in authority were above question. I would never question a doctor! That was crazy! But now we do it all the time. I am not sure if this is good or bad, but it is how it has become. We would respect others opinions and disagree in private, but not now. I miss the respect we showed for others, for their differing thoughts and religions. Every one can’t be like us, that would get boring, but we could show respect. Back to politics, I don’t know much, I don’t know what party I “belong” to, I like to think I am my own person, too. I am pretty darn sure I am not a Democrat, but I am not sure I am a Republican either. I don’t like to vote for parties, I like to vote for people. Sometimes it causes problems for parties, but that is what we should do. Maybe we are seeing the demise of parties, but that is probably just wishful thinking. See, Travis, I can ramble as well.
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First of all, old geezers like me that are apt to respond to political diatribe are not techno-literate enough to find the place to respond on your website. If my wife hadn’t happened up on it by accident, I’d still be lost!
You have a similar malady (possibly genetic?) from which I and the majority of the electorate suffer. That is, we look for improvement in all matters pertaining to life; social, economic or political. We turn out en masse to support and elect candidates on the promise of improving systems and institutions. This is often called reform. Look at history for verification. The American Revolution, abolition of slavery, trust-busting, recovery from the Great Depression are prime examples. These reforms crossed party lines from Republican to Democrat and back again. This tells any student of the American politic that we, the electorate make decisions that we perceive will make things better. This is a basic American trait. We revere the improvement of performance in all things. We will always attempt to improve the status quo.
As the newly elected politicians settle in to their positions and get comfortable, they BECOME the status quo and begin to fear anything or any movement that would suggest change because it would cost them the positions they fought and compromised their principles for. I have quoted Senator McCain to you before from a speech given to the Conservative Party in Great Brittain this past fall where he warned the Republican party that was elected as “the party to reform government” and citing them as “the party OF government.”
Those of us that belong to the centrist group that want things to get better do not realize how much power we have. This under-realization is not an accident. Both major political parties feed us their opinions by way of their media mouthpieces.We then parrot them back loudly toward each other as our own in order to stifle any consensus between ourselves. We must come to the realization that WE have the power and begin to utilize it for the improvement of performance of institutions and policies that affect us. This reform only costs us the jobs of established politicians and that is a price I am willing to pay.
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Travis,
I agree with your mother that times have changed and just 30-40 years ago, no one ever questioned anyone in authority like our doctors or presidents. But, for the most part, we did not need to—-they did their jobs and were honorable and trustworthy people. I, personally, have stressed over what I feel is a lack of respect—–as a former teacher, I certainly have seen this in the classroom. Parents do not teach it at home like they used to and thus, kids do not respect other’s property, rights, people in authority, and even their own parents. I feel this also began to happen when the media started referring to Pres. Kennedy as “JFK” and not Mister President or THE President. I might not agree with Pres. Bush, but somewhat as your mother said, I still feel respect——-partly for the office he holds and partly because I cannot imagine what it would be like to walk in his shoes and carry the weight(s) he must have to carry.
You are a special person, Travis, and I feel your parents get alot of the credit. But continue to share and explore your thoughts and stand strong. We are nothing if we never stand up for anything! I have been picked on and teased (even by my own family) because I do not believe in drinking, but…….it never fazed my belief and only made me sad that [family and] others felt the need to pick on me for my conviction.
Yes, we (our country) are in a mess, but it’s people like you who gives us hope. You have obviously been “up close and personal” with our military and government now and know the dark side, so to speak. So, turn that around and do some good by continuing to share your thoughts and hopefully, some day, YOU will run for president!
You have my vote!!
Hope I did not ramble too much in sharing a few thoughts! Love, Aunt Ann -
Wow…now this is fun! You guys are obviously thinking alot on this idea. I got to spend the 4th in Washington DC with my wife, my daughter and my son-in-law who is in the Navy. Along with the other 500,000 people who rode the subway that day, and the possibly 500,000 who also attended, I have to say the fireworks were a blast!
I also went to Mt. Vernon, Monticello and many other historical sites last week. I marvel at the guts these patriots had and the ideal that they decided was worth all of the trouble and hassle of fighting, and dying penniless for. It is just this kind of dialogue that I think honors their memory and is a fitting tribute to our great country.
Jefferson was most proud of his involvement in the establishment of the University of Virginia – even more than that of a 2 term President of the US. As long as our nation continues to provide the fertile soil for the discussion of ideals, I think we are blessed indeed. Do I want the Government to butt out of my life …sure and do I want to pay fewer taxes…of course, would I like for there to be less corruption in the government…who wouldn’t!
But I am most proud of a nation that tries to make a difference in the lives of even the most oppressed in the corners of the world that most don’t even know exist. Knowing there are thinking men and women like you gives me hope in the future. I’m proud of you for your thoughts and for your service. I actually did think of you and the other former students in the service on the 4th as we sat in Freedom Park (cool place huh?) to enjoy the celebration with people we didn’t even know.
God Bless… Bruce Wright
