Our Underpinings

"A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical…It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."--Thomas Jefferson

The opening one’s mouth is an interesting thing: for some, it can rarely be stopped, for others, it is the embodiment of courage to act in the forum of sociality. But for a select few, it is the duty--available to all, but utilized by a select few, to stand and speak to the tenets of their belief. I hope to be one of the latter of these men, but only time will tell if the values i try to express here--the liberty i speak to defend--flows from a solemn duty, or a bleeding mouth. But in light of recent events, it seems that i cannot remain silent.

i have been startled by the events i see in our nation. As have watched congress operate for months on end under Closed rule, the president of our nation instate near gag rules on his opposition, and that opposition respond in an unclear unbecoming manner, i have wondered about the strength of our underpinnings. Our Constitutional Democracy is a organization that i believe to be very durable--it bends, molds and conforms to almost any political circumstance. but, just like anything, from time to time i agree with Jefferson, who said the from time to time the “tree of liberty must be refreshed.” I do not believe that that refreshing must--nor should it be--by blood, but i believe that we as a people must respond to the actions of our government from time to time. It is the duty of the citizens of a republic to remind Government of its proper confines within the constitution. It is our duty as citizens to remind the government, which can be desensitized by astroturf politics and assumed “moral mandates” that it still must be responsive to the people that it represents and that those people are actually watching and listening to their actions--despite what the convenient polls may say.

I agree with the philosophy of Jefferson that rebellion--through editorials, peaceful and legal public demonstrations blogs such as this one, and most importantly campaigning and voting in local elections can open the eyes of a growing federal government and remind them that their constituency is both watching and judging their actions. after all, said Jefferson; "A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical…It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."