Over two centuries ago, the representatives of the United States of America came together to say “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 – 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 Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security” (Declaration of Independence).
Once again, we the people of the United States of America are called to action. Gradually, our liberties have been stripped away under the guise of protection and necessity. Fear has been sown in the hearts of our citizens to enable a small group to amass control over nearly every aspect of our lives. Our freedoms, which have been a beacon to the rest of the world, are now at risk. Unfaithful representatives pursue their own ends instead of serving the people who elected them. Our government no longer fears the people. As was done by our forefathers in the Declaration of Independence, we will now list our grievances to make clear to the rest of the world, these are not petty disagreements from a disenfranchised minority. Instead they are severe impediments to liberty, for which a majority of the citizens will remain silent no more.
*There has been a long practice of fiscal irresponsibility, with the government levying a myriad of taxes to force the people to pay for the bad judgment of their leaders. Some citizens pay as much as half their earnings back in taxes while approximately forty percent pay none.
*The government does not restrain itself to a balanced budget, instead running on debt, stealing money from other programs, such as social security and Medicare, and increasing taxes on everything from income to various foods and drinks.
*Large spending bills have been passed against loud complaints of a large majority of the citizens.
*Company advertising budgets, employee pay, and brokering bankruptcy deals for private companies.
*The President plans to take control of private lending, higher education, newspapers and healthcare, in addition to the auto makers he already controls, taking away freedom of choice in these industries and threatening free enterprise and capitalism.
*Our government supported a system of lending that led to an unsustainable housing boom, leading to a large economic downturn, and then informed our citizens it is our responsibility to pay for their mistakes, even as they laid blame and used the situation for political maneuvering.
*The current government has encouraged class envy, vilifying success and mandating forced charity.
*The President himself has taken the role of a spiritual advisor, lecturing citizens against pursing wealth and success, suggesting successful, wealthy people lack morality. The only worthy goals involve giving up wealth and material possessions. Anything else is selfishness.
*The government is co-opting knowledge, influencing how news outlets report on government and what is taught in our schools. They are attempting to breed ignorance and compliance into our children. Logic and free thought are discouraged as people are now told what to think.
*The President admonishes any media outlet that dares speak negatively of him, laughing in public at jokes about his critics meeting a painful death.
*The President and our other representatives continually apologize to the rest of the world for our perceived wrongdoing, losing respect from our allies and enemies alike.
*The President speaks of our country’s greatness being a thing of the past and suggests we must accept we are no longer superior in our military and economic power.
*Political correctness is used to manipulate the public with word games that pretend to encourage fairness while actually promoting and atmosphere of hate where our freedom of speech is threatened. People remain silent, not voicing their opinions, out of fear for societal retribution and accusations of racism and bigotry.
*Lawbreakers have been given greater rights and protections than law abiding citizens. Criminals in prison are guaranteed luxuries such as cable television. Illegal immigrants are granted tuition breaks and other government assistance while actual citizens must do without.
*Congressional bills have become too large, filled with earmarks, tarp and other overspending.
*Congress members pass bills without even reading the final bill first.
*There is little to no transparency in most laws passed. Loopholes and complicated legal speak make bills almost inaccessible to the common citizen.
*Our government has labeled as extremists honest protestors exercising their constitutional right of free speech.
*Politicians now view their work as a career instead of service to our country, against the expressed desire of our forefathers who believed our representatives should retain nonpolitical vocations to keep in touch with the citizens they serve.
*Corruption has become commonplace with special interest groups now determining policy, buying politicians to push their agendas.
*There is a disregard on the part of our government for the impact of their decisions on the public.
*The government is considering ways to illegally monitor our actions, such as implementing GPS tracking on the cars of every citizen, without a warrant.
*Freedom of Religion, Freedom to Bare Arms and Freedom of Speech are now under attack.
*States rights are being trampled. States are facing extortion from a federal government that now mandates regulations on state budgets.
*The Supreme Court has ruled emminant domain can be used for private projects to increase municipal revenue.
*Our government uses unsupported scientific claims to justify increasing taxes by claiming carbon dioxide is a pollutant under the Clean Air Act, or forcing American citizens to use highly toxic, mercury filled light bulbs at the exclusion of all other light bulbs.
*There is a lack of accountability. Congressmen are caught in lies and often face no consequences.
*Partisanship and bitter infighting between politicians has led to an inefficient government. Political grandstanding is more important than the good of the country. Scapegoats are blamed for any and all problems. There is no loyalty. Politicians change stances on issues to save face, not due to their beliefs or the will of their constituents. They do not take responsibility for their own choices and actions, instead blaming their employees, advisors, lawyers, the military, CIA and other government departments and organizations.
*The federal government has twisted the constitution and all it stands for to advance their own goals, including, but not limited to, using the term “interstate commerce” to justify regulating issues that should be regulated on a state or local level.
*While often claiming greater transparency over predecessors, the only thing our government ever seems to be transparent on is sensitive military and defense information that puts our country and soldiers at risk.
*Our government uses the term “homeland security” to justify all manner of infringements on our liberties and rights while at the same time balking at doing the necessary tasks to protect our country from exterior threats. They prove by words and deeds that our rights are less important to them than the rights of those who would do us harm.
*Our soldiers, who risk life and limb in our defense, are ignored or worse. They must endure suspicion from the very government they serve, even as their care is neglected and underfunded.
*There is an increasing lack of attention to the defense of our country.
*Death benefits for police officers’ families are cut to pay for excessive government spending.
*Our borders are not adequately defended. We are encouraged by our government to accept illegal immigrants openly, even to learn their language to accommodate their lawbreaking.
The overall theme of our current government is that they know what is good for us and we must bow to their wisdom and power, forfeiting our civil liberties and rights for the greater good. Those who object are labeled extremists, selfish and un-American. Freedom of speech is only encouraged by those supporting the government. Our government can no longer be trusted. They do not listen to their constituents, they do not represent our values, and they do not have our best interests at heart.
Our constitution is not antiquated. Our beliefs are not narrow-minded adherence to values we should leave behind. We are told we cannot live without our current two party system, but in truth, the system cannot continue without our allowance of it.
It is now our right, it is our Duty as American citizens to stand up for our rights, protect our precious liberty and replace the old Guard with a new Guard of representatives devoted to serving the people. The greatness of America has not passed. This is its’ resurgence, and we are her champions.
Essay by: Amanda McLain-Young
