Stand up to intrusion on our democracy
In 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it."
His reply resounds as powerfully today. Our democracy has required constant vigilance since its inception. Some of these threats have come from foreign entities, but the most dangerous have come from within.
Going back to the Alien and Sedition Act of 1798, through the Japanese internment during World War II through Joseph McCarthy and Richard Nixon, the ideal of government of the people, by the people and for people has faced challenges to the ideals set forth by our Founding Fathers. In each of these instances we the people realized the error of those who would lead us and set to right what was wrong.
Many of these same voices now feel we face another threat from within to the rule of law we all hold so dear. In a world of new and seemingly insurmountable threats we are forced to weigh the ideals of our Founding Fathers with the new reality of today. It is our duty as citizens to hold our leaders responsible to the ideals of this shining democracy as we face these challenges.
During these times of stress for our democracy it is imperative that we, the private citizens of the United States, rise up to the threats to our ideals. Our elected leaders are answerable to us. We each have a duty to preserve the ideals upon which our democracy was founded. In a time of much intrusion on our democracy much resistance is required.
Pete Null
Glendale Heights