Saturday, March 5, 2011

Is the United States a Country of Laws? (commentary written for CNB 3/5/2011)

By: Nickie Summers

The U.S. Constitution was carefully written by our country’s Founding Fathers to guarantee the rights and freedom of our people and strictly limit the power of government. Their intent was to create a Republic, a country of laws where the government works for and is responsible to the will of the people. Over time, elected officials have begun to ignore the U.S. Constitution and legislate in the interest of their political party and personal agendas. As a result the United States of America is becoming a country of special interest appointed politicians, not of laws and that leads to tyranny and corruption.

In order to sustain our country’s legacy of freedom and liberty, all legislation must be in concert with the U.S. Constitution, without the need for interpretation. The Founders established three branches of government (Judicial, Legislative, and Executive) to provide a check and balance. A two party system also aids in preserving a balance of power in government. Furthermore, Article V of the U.S. Constitution provides the means by which to alter the document legally with amendments (modification, addition, or deletion) when warranted. It requires that all state legislatures, who are closer to the pulse of their people, vote for or against the amendment. By design, the process is deliberately difficult and lengthy. The purpose is to prevent frivolous adjustments at the whim of the frequent display of disingenuous elected officials and thereby protect the integrity of the U. S. Constitution. This only works if all elected officials are trustworthily and serve with honor in accordance with the U.S. Constitution – no deep pockets from unions, any legislative high-jacking by special interests, no activist judges, and no career politicians.

If the three branches of government continue down the path of corruption and the watered down interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, then who is the document’s protector? Who is responsible to honor and defend the integrity of its content? Some say it’s the Tea Party movement represented by The People and, yes, they are gaining ground from the slippery slope. But, to serve and defend the United States of America unconditionally and with honor, I think of the United States Uniformed Armed Services. Coming from a military family, I have great pride and respect for the men and women who have served and are serving our country with honor.

Every person who enlists or re-enlists in the military takes a sworn oath to uphold and defend the U.S. Constitution and its legacy. The first section of the oath is “I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;” The phrase ‘defend the Constitution’ is placed first in the oath…why? Our Founders and military leaders knew our Republic could perish from within our borders by those who dismiss the Constitution just as certain as those who seek to harm us from outside our borders.

Reading the oath in its entirety, begs the question “How does the military reconcile their sworn oath of protecting the U.S. Constitution when elected officials legislate and govern outside of the limits of its laws?”

Nickie Summers is the creator of Stand Up Be Read™, author of the Children’s Book The 4th of July A Celebration of Independence, and regular contributor on Conservative Network Broadcasting. http://www.standupberead.com/

http://www.amazon.com/4h-July-Celebration-Independence-Founding/dp/1452066353/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1288323300&sr=1-1

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-4th-of-July-A-Celebration-of-Independence/Nickie-Summers/e/9781452066356/?itm=3&USRI=nickie+summers