Power to the People
by April Shenandoah, Columnist
October 10, 2003
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The
emotional recalling of California Governor Gray Davis brought strong opinions
to the forefront. Some thought that the October 7th recall, or not to recall,
election was a very bad idea, thinking that it might open up a recall-recall-can-of-worms.
Understandably, that could be the case, however, the laws of the land are written
in favor of ousting politicians that are not serving "the people."
Far too long we have sat by and taken what has been dished out to us. We complain,
but think we can not "fight city hall," so to speak. More of us need
to pay attention to what our representatives are doing, and let our voices be
heard. Governor-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA, right) and the signers of
the Declaration of Independence are good examples of an outcry of "the
people."
The following first four paragraphs of The Declaration of Independence (Congress, July 4, 1776) will clarify any misgivings concerning the rights of the people to abolish government -- state constitutions are also written with this provision:
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
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 pusuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to 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.
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Deposition, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
I implore you who are not familiar with the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, to make an effort to read it in its entirety. You will soon realize that we no longer abide by these sacred documents. When you hear either a Republican or a Democrat cry "unconstitutional" about anything, check it out for yourself. Politicians and special interest groups use the Constitution to back up their agenda, when most of the times they do not even know the written "truth" themselves.
[NOTE: The government of the United States of America was originally formed to protect our shores and its people - nothing more, nothing less.]
The Declaration's Judeo/Christian Legacy
(Printed by permission from the Plymouth Rock Foundation)
Because of their belief in creation, the Declaration's drafters claimed that man's Creator gave him certain absolute rights. Not only do both the Old and New Testaments identify God as man's Creator [Isaiah 40:28 and 1 Peter 4:19]. They, also identify God as the Giver of the three great rights listed in the Declaration: Life [Genesis 2:7], Liberty [11 Corinthians 3:17], and the pursuit of Happiness [Ecclesiastes 3:13]. And the Bible confirms that what God has given shall not be taken away [11 Chronicles 19:7].
In the body of the Declaration, America's leaders presented their legal claims against King George III that they believed justified their fight for independence. By appealing to "the Supreme Judge of the world," they took their case for "freedom and independence" to God, Himself. In doing so, they followed the example of one of Israel's early leaders as recorded in Chapter 11 of the book of Judges.
Because they were, also, risking their personal lives and fortunes should the
war be lost, the drafters affirmed their reliance on "Divine Providence"
as their only assurance of protection. In doing so, they followed the example
of Moses as he led the people out of Egypt to freedom. ***
© 2003 April Shenandoah
April Shenandoah's Internet home is: http://www.politicsandreligion.tv
COPYRIGHT © 2003 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.
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