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A Voice in the Wilderness-11-7-10-Born Again PDF  | Print |  E-mail

Born Again

Pete Riehm--Mobile Free Press           

 

This off year election was a tremendous triumph for the American people.  No, it was really not so much about Democrats losing and certainly not about Republicans winning.  This election was about the American people rediscovering the Constitution, realizing they are free and equal by God’s hand and not Washington’s, and reclaiming self-government.

Superficial commentators and self-serving prognosticators are certain this is just another hyper-partisan fight and demand the Tea Parties fit in a neat partisan box.  There is endless speculation about what dark forces of secret big money funded the Tea Parties.  Many refuse to believe spontaneous demonstrations are possible without Huffington Post buses and union incentives.  Republicans are eager to join the Tea Parties, but they are still wondering how it happened and afraid of an uncontrollable popular movement.

To be sure, the Democrats deserved to lose by taunting the electorate with their utter contempt for the Constitution and abject disdain for common Americans.  But, Republicans didn’t necessarily earn the win with their timid approach and slow cautious yet incomplete acceptance of the Tea Parties.  However, both parties and the elite political class in Washington highlighted in stark relief the incredible disconnect between our rulers and traditional American values.

Americans were shocked last year by the aggressive unabashed socialist agenda pushed by this administration and then stunned by the Democrats lack of concern and the Republicans inability to respond.  Immensely frustrated, the Tea Parties were born.

At first, the Tea Party folks were livid about Washington and angry with their elected officials.  Facing a huge apathetic unresponsive federal government, the Tea Parties sought answers from our founders. 

We distributed thousands of copies of the Constitution and actually read it!  We started researching speeches and letters by our founders and the Federalist Papers.  We became informed and involved.

As we examined the situation and continued to rally and protest, a gnawing reality and indisputable truth became unavoidable.  “Democracy is the device to ensure the people get the government they deserve.”  No one is sure who said this; Jefferson, De Tocqueville, or someone else.  But, the inescapable fact is that without an informed and involved citizenry, self-government will be usurped and abused by special interests anxious to gain and exploit power.

Therefore, Americans are embracing a great reawakening.  We the people are the ultimate sovereign authority for self-government and for far too long we have relinquished that authority to pretenders and snake oil salesmen.  The resounding message of this election is that we the people are reasserting our authority and redirecting our public servants to the rulebook for our Republic.  Abide by the Constitution or suffer the wrath of a free people.

While media bias is aggravating, incessant political propaganda disgusting, and there is a certain satisfaction from throwing the bums out, Americans have also realized where the real blame lies.  John Adams summed it up when he said:  “Our Constitution is written for a virtuous and moral people and wholly inadequate for any other.”

We must be worthy of freedom!   An idle people will not exercise self-government and an amoral or immoral people will not even care.  They will sell out freedom.  They will happily cede any rights and transfer responsibilities for a few benefits and a modicum of security. 

There may be a partisan shift in Washington, but the real power of this election is the once again raised voices of the people.  As citizens, we have become born again Americans with a renewed appreciation of God’s gift of freedom and a dogged determination to preserve our Constitutional Republic that protects that freedom.