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
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
And So What's Next?
After 18 days of protest, Egypt's president resigned today...okay...now what? As I wait for President Obama to remark on the events of today, I wonder what word spin will be preached to the American people?
Nation Building? Not in America's Schools!! (1/27/11)
By: Nickie Summers
In the State of the Union address on 1/25/2011, President Obama said that South Korea’s teachers are revered as Nation Builders and he implied that America’s teachers should be revered as such. I cringed when I heard the words ‘Nation Building’ and let me tell you why…..
First, the terminology of Nation Building is complex and is sometimes confused with state-building. President Obama used the term Nation Building and therefore, that will be my focus. Nation Building refers to the process of creating, building, or structuring a national identity using the power of the government. The goal is to fuse people within the nation so that it becomes and remains politically stable and sustainable. To succeed in Nation Building the government uses the art of propaganda or infrastructure expansion to advance social calm with the desire of achieving economic growth.
History has shown massive devastation to countries, cultures, and people when a government or dictator transforms a country under the stroke of Nation Building. In fact, during the development or transformation of Nation Building, division among people is encouraged to create unrest and sometimes war - all for the opportunity to gain control and expand government power.
So, the question is - Why did President Obama, in his address, use the example ‘Nation Builders’ as the expressive to elevate America’s teachers? Since the early 1900’s, unions and government have had their digs in the public school system. We also know that since then the art of educating has become watered down teaching to the collective instead of the individual. Drop out rates have risen, test scores have tanked, and high quality tenured teachers are rare. All the while, school budgets increase and property taxes soar.
I believe President Obama’s words were calculated and purposeful to support the transformation he seeks in the United States of America. Nation Building through children is the surest way towards transformation and teachers are the conduit; it’s up to parents and grandparents to stop it. The government has been on the path of Nation Building through our children for decades - removing our country’s founding from text books and replacing it with social propaganda. The AFT, American Federation of Teachers union, is in the thick of it promoting green jobs, Obama care, and other social collective programs - they know where their bread is buttered. But, there is hope and an alternative and her name is Michelle Rhee.
Michelle Rhee is the former Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools. In 2010 she founded www.StudentsFirst.org in response to an increased demand for a better education system in America. Their mission is to build a national movement to defend the interests of children in public education and pursue transformative reform, so that America has the best education system in the world. Their focus is not to serve the will of unions and the government, but work with the private sector as a grassroots effort to put the focus on students and foster great teachers who teach basic/advance skills to inspire creative thinking students. You won’t find any mention of Nation Building at Students First!
Just as disturbing to hear President Obama refer to teachers as Nation Builders, it was just as disturbing to see on facebook young teachers relish the thought that they too could be revered as Nation Builders. I believe their excitement comes from a desire for teachers to be more valued in our society in general and for that I agree, they should. But please don’t jump on the Nation Building band wagon without understanding the context of the term, it’s misguided. Nation Building in the context of President Obama’s agenda is NOT a good thing ……
Transforming our great country through Nation Builders is a scary proposition and contrary to the foundation of the United States of America - free markets, free thinking, individualism. A free thinking society comes with risk, volatility and uncertainty. It also produces great wisdom, ingenuity, and wealth - it’s up to the individual. In my book, The 4th of July A Celebration of Independence, I state “the spirit of American exceptionalism comes from individual liberties that make it possible for every American to pursue happiness to the extent that they want to; not limited to what the government orders them to.” Nation Building and collective teaching has no place in America’s schools.
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.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
In the State of the Union address on 1/25/2011, President Obama said that South Korea’s teachers are revered as Nation Builders and he implied that America’s teachers should be revered as such. I cringed when I heard the words ‘Nation Building’ and let me tell you why…..
First, the terminology of Nation Building is complex and is sometimes confused with state-building. President Obama used the term Nation Building and therefore, that will be my focus. Nation Building refers to the process of creating, building, or structuring a national identity using the power of the government. The goal is to fuse people within the nation so that it becomes and remains politically stable and sustainable. To succeed in Nation Building the government uses the art of propaganda or infrastructure expansion to advance social calm with the desire of achieving economic growth.
History has shown massive devastation to countries, cultures, and people when a government or dictator transforms a country under the stroke of Nation Building. In fact, during the development or transformation of Nation Building, division among people is encouraged to create unrest and sometimes war - all for the opportunity to gain control and expand government power.
So, the question is - Why did President Obama, in his address, use the example ‘Nation Builders’ as the expressive to elevate America’s teachers? Since the early 1900’s, unions and government have had their digs in the public school system. We also know that since then the art of educating has become watered down teaching to the collective instead of the individual. Drop out rates have risen, test scores have tanked, and high quality tenured teachers are rare. All the while, school budgets increase and property taxes soar.
I believe President Obama’s words were calculated and purposeful to support the transformation he seeks in the United States of America. Nation Building through children is the surest way towards transformation and teachers are the conduit; it’s up to parents and grandparents to stop it. The government has been on the path of Nation Building through our children for decades - removing our country’s founding from text books and replacing it with social propaganda. The AFT, American Federation of Teachers union, is in the thick of it promoting green jobs, Obama care, and other social collective programs - they know where their bread is buttered. But, there is hope and an alternative and her name is Michelle Rhee.
Michelle Rhee is the former Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools. In 2010 she founded www.StudentsFirst.org in response to an increased demand for a better education system in America. Their mission is to build a national movement to defend the interests of children in public education and pursue transformative reform, so that America has the best education system in the world. Their focus is not to serve the will of unions and the government, but work with the private sector as a grassroots effort to put the focus on students and foster great teachers who teach basic/advance skills to inspire creative thinking students. You won’t find any mention of Nation Building at Students First!
Just as disturbing to hear President Obama refer to teachers as Nation Builders, it was just as disturbing to see on facebook young teachers relish the thought that they too could be revered as Nation Builders. I believe their excitement comes from a desire for teachers to be more valued in our society in general and for that I agree, they should. But please don’t jump on the Nation Building band wagon without understanding the context of the term, it’s misguided. Nation Building in the context of President Obama’s agenda is NOT a good thing ……
Transforming our great country through Nation Builders is a scary proposition and contrary to the foundation of the United States of America - free markets, free thinking, individualism. A free thinking society comes with risk, volatility and uncertainty. It also produces great wisdom, ingenuity, and wealth - it’s up to the individual. In my book, The 4th of July A Celebration of Independence, I state “the spirit of American exceptionalism comes from individual liberties that make it possible for every American to pursue happiness to the extent that they want to; not limited to what the government orders them to.” Nation Building and collective teaching has no place in America’s schools.
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.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
Stand Up and Stop the Ridiculous Rhetoric! (comentary written for CNB 1/10/11)
By: Nickie Summers
The tragedy that took place in Tucson last Saturday is being used by liberal legislators and the media to further their cause to impose regulations on firearms and free speech – execute the gag order on the conservative voice. Within hours of the unspeakable horror, blame was immediately placed conservative Americans who advocate freedom and the preservation of constitutional rights. Their argument is that the conservative voice is responsible for the tragedy in Tucson verses the perpetrator of the crime, Jared Loughner. It’s like another volatile headliner, immigration. When an American citizen dies at the hand of an illegal alien, all hands are on deck to protect the illegal alien instead of the rights of the American citizen: those who voice against the illegal alien is labeled racists. Manipulate the headline to draw attention away from reality and towards a false purpose.
The cultural blame game is a blatant strategy used by politicians to twist the facts in an effort to impose an ideologue, silence opposition, or prey on the vulnerable to advance legislation. The end result of the blame game is to counteract the Constitution, encroach on peoples’ rights, and expand government control. So, when a tragedy, such as what happened in Tucson occurs, the left pounces as to ‘not let a crisis go to waste’ – strike while the emotional iron is hot and evoke legislation that otherwise would not be supported by the American people.
Since Saturday, the political rhetoric persists without regard to reason, calm, and civility. Its tenor has become more ridiculous and unreasonable; who is going to stand up and say enough already! Barack Obama is the President of the United States of America and during times of national tragedies Americans turn to him to provide leadership to calm the country’s nerves and call out political leaders to stop the inflammatory rhetoric. However, with the repeated gaffes from Obama and his administration playing the blame game themselves, I don’t hold out great hopes. What happened in Tucson was at the hands of a disturbed individual, period. Not due to legislation that didn’t get past or by conservative voices that use metaphor to make a point – and the left knows it. For liberals this about gaining more social control to benefit the government; for conservatives this is about protecting constitutional rights of individuals.
I’ll close with two thoughts to ponder while political legislators and pundits pontificate their cause during the aftermath of last weekend’s tragedy:
First, a quote by Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America – “We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”
Second, the following is an excerpt from an NBC interview of John Green, father of Christina-Taylor Green the beautiful 9 year old girl who was killed in Tucson on Saturday. Take note of the last sentence in which among Mr. Green’s unbelievable grief he supports the foundation on which this country was built. – “Well, there’s always been something special about Christina and, you know, the way she came into the world, on 9/11 and the way she left the world yesterday is obviously one that everybody else will remember. We’re going to remember her for the nine years that we had her. And she was a beautiful, vibrant, young girl. It shouldn’t happen in this country or anywhere else. But, you know, it’s a free society. We’re going to be subject to people like this. So I prefer this to the alternative.”
Whether liberal or conservative, the United States of America operates under the lawful document the U.S. Constitution – united we stand, united in strength, united we are!
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.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
The tragedy that took place in Tucson last Saturday is being used by liberal legislators and the media to further their cause to impose regulations on firearms and free speech – execute the gag order on the conservative voice. Within hours of the unspeakable horror, blame was immediately placed conservative Americans who advocate freedom and the preservation of constitutional rights. Their argument is that the conservative voice is responsible for the tragedy in Tucson verses the perpetrator of the crime, Jared Loughner. It’s like another volatile headliner, immigration. When an American citizen dies at the hand of an illegal alien, all hands are on deck to protect the illegal alien instead of the rights of the American citizen: those who voice against the illegal alien is labeled racists. Manipulate the headline to draw attention away from reality and towards a false purpose.
The cultural blame game is a blatant strategy used by politicians to twist the facts in an effort to impose an ideologue, silence opposition, or prey on the vulnerable to advance legislation. The end result of the blame game is to counteract the Constitution, encroach on peoples’ rights, and expand government control. So, when a tragedy, such as what happened in Tucson occurs, the left pounces as to ‘not let a crisis go to waste’ – strike while the emotional iron is hot and evoke legislation that otherwise would not be supported by the American people.
Since Saturday, the political rhetoric persists without regard to reason, calm, and civility. Its tenor has become more ridiculous and unreasonable; who is going to stand up and say enough already! Barack Obama is the President of the United States of America and during times of national tragedies Americans turn to him to provide leadership to calm the country’s nerves and call out political leaders to stop the inflammatory rhetoric. However, with the repeated gaffes from Obama and his administration playing the blame game themselves, I don’t hold out great hopes. What happened in Tucson was at the hands of a disturbed individual, period. Not due to legislation that didn’t get past or by conservative voices that use metaphor to make a point – and the left knows it. For liberals this about gaining more social control to benefit the government; for conservatives this is about protecting constitutional rights of individuals.
I’ll close with two thoughts to ponder while political legislators and pundits pontificate their cause during the aftermath of last weekend’s tragedy:
First, a quote by Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America – “We must reject the idea that every time a law’s broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”
Second, the following is an excerpt from an NBC interview of John Green, father of Christina-Taylor Green the beautiful 9 year old girl who was killed in Tucson on Saturday. Take note of the last sentence in which among Mr. Green’s unbelievable grief he supports the foundation on which this country was built. – “Well, there’s always been something special about Christina and, you know, the way she came into the world, on 9/11 and the way she left the world yesterday is obviously one that everybody else will remember. We’re going to remember her for the nine years that we had her. And she was a beautiful, vibrant, young girl. It shouldn’t happen in this country or anywhere else. But, you know, it’s a free society. We’re going to be subject to people like this. So I prefer this to the alternative.”
Whether liberal or conservative, the United States of America operates under the lawful document the U.S. Constitution – united we stand, united in strength, united we are!
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.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
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Fooled me once, twice, no more! (commentary written for CNB 12/24/2010)
by Nickie Summers
American citizens across this great country are having postmortems over legislation enacted by political officials during the lame duck session of 111th Congress. What happened to the ‘resounding message sent to the White House’ after the midterm elections? What about the ‘shellacking?’ Yes, politics as usual continues. The phrase that comes to my mind “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice shame on me.” How many times will The People be fooled by political officials who campaign on The Will of the People, but govern to the will of big money and special interest?
Let me introduce you to the Professional Political Core. They are elitists who made politics a professional career and whose careers are funded by special interest money. They are people who entered politics for honorable reasons, or so I want to believe, but over time became addicted to the smell of money and power. They take personal pleasure living large at the expense of taxpayers while dismissing the U.S. Constitution. They view their political career as a means of personal profit verses serving the people. The Professional Political Core is a dangerous species firmly entrenched in U.S. government – a ‘closed’ faction with a hard shell; difficult to penetrate with new ideas and fresh faces.
But enough is enough. Benjamin Franklin once said, “Who had deceived thee so often as thyself?” Americans have trusted politicians for too long. We must accept that we’ve been fooled again, but for the last time. We are in an era of change and it’s The People’s change: eradicate the Professional Political Core that exists today and establish a framework that prevents it from settling comfortably back into our government’s structure.
Since the Tea Party movement, Americans are more engaged in the political process and educated on the U.S. Constitution. They’ve erected a spotlight putting in plain view for all Americans to see the back door dealings and corrupt behaviors in the legislative process. All of this culminating with record numbers of citizens involved in rallies, phone calls, and emails to legislators and the media. But this is not enough to effectively change the political culture in Washington. What more can we do?
A proactive approach is needed to turn the tables back to the days of our Founding Fathers. When and how people served honorably for the purpose of the country, before the culture of the Professional Political Core took over. Three basic ideas can set the framework to restore, enforce, and protect the purity of the elected office:
- Set term limits for federal lawmakers. Currently there are no set term limits. This opens the special interest financial doors to career seeking politicians and under minds the electoral and legislative process. During the midterms of 2010 we saw this in California, Nevada, and New York among others. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) and several colleagues are proposing a Joint Resolution that would limit service in the Senate to 12 years and service in the House to 6 years. To get details on the resolution go to http://demint.senate.gov/public/_files/TermLimitsForAll.pdf
- Set reasonable salaries for federal lawmakers. For those who have idle time on their hands, do a little research on the history of congressional salaries…automatic pay raises, no accountability, WOW!! Benjamin Franklin, among other Founders, felt passionately about retaining modest salaries in government and felt that earning any wage at all as a politician could lead to conflicts of interests and corruption. Today the congressional base salary is $174,000. A push is underway to freeze congressional salaries for 2011. I believe that doesn’t go far enough. An analysis of all salaries and associated performance should be reviewed. Also, a resolution to the 27th Amendment with unambiguous language is needed to manage congressional salaries and accountability to The People – like the other amendments do! To get details and history on the 27th Amendment, go to http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_amendments_11- 27.html
- Apply equal force of the law to federal lawmakers as it is applied to their constituents. Legislatures exempt themselves from the law and then pontificate their justification! Rep. Charles Rangel (D-New York) is the latest politician who violated the law, but received a congressional slap on the hand – a censure. I could walk into any grocery store and find at least one person who is currently being audited and looking down the barrel of a major tax penalty bill and mounting legal fees…no slap on the hand and go ‘on your merry way’ for them! Benjamin Franklin said it best “There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government.” We see this over and over again with Democrats, Republicans, public officials, and constituents. No one is exempt from having the freedom of choice to do right or wrong; therefore no one should be exempt from equal application of law. Today, virtue is in the hands of The People and, through their local representatives, they must restore it in Washington. Which brings up the 17th Amendment, but I’ll table that for another day…..
Franklin fervently hoped this policy [that man would seek public office for honor verse profit] could be perpetuated in America from generation to generation. At the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he [Franklin] gave a discourse on the need to fix the course of American public service so that it would always attract men of public virtue and repel scoundrels scrambling for a soft job. He [Franklin] said:
“Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence in the affairs of men. These are ambitions and avarice; the love of power and the love of money. Separately, each of these has great force in prompting men to action; but when united in view of the same object, they have in many minds the most violent effects. Place before the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall at the same time be a place of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it. The vast number of such places it is that renders the British government so tempestuous. The struggles for them are the true source of all those actions which are perpetually dividing the nation, distracting its councils, hurrying it sometimes into fruitless and mischievous wars, and often compelling a submission to dishonorable terms of peace. (Smyth, Writings of Benjamin Franklin)
The 112th Congress brings a sense of hope to American citizens – hope to restore the U.S. Constitution, protection of rights, limited government, and fiscal responsibility. But, the responsibility lies in the hands of The People to be proactive with their state and local representatives creating enforceable legislation that will set new rules and real accountability with federal lawmakers.
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.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
America is a Republic NOT a Democracy! (commentary written for CNB 12/6/2010)
by Nickie Summers
A Rasmussen survey recently reported that out of 1000 likely voters polled nationally, forty-five percent (45%) believe that the Federal Government is working outside the limits of the Constitution. Yet thirty-nine percent (39%) believe they are working inside the limits and seventeen percent (17%) don’t know. These numbers show there is still much work ahead to educate Americans on the Founding Fathers’ ideas behind the Constitution and the boundaries of government. From FDR’s “New Deal” to Bailouts and Obamacare, Americans have been in a slow cooker of progressive socialism, suffocating under the nationalization of charity in the quest to advance Democracy. America is NOT a Democracy!!
In the early 1900’s politicians and special interest groups began integrating the word Democracy into the consciousness of America. They linked the word to so called “charitable” programs designed to serve the betterment of Americans and “Our Democracy.” As a result, the phrase “Our Democracy” replaced “Our Republic” in everyday dialogue. Overtime, the so called charitable programs, all for the sake of Democracy, did nothing more than create a welfare state and put America on the path towards socialism and fiscal destruction. We Learn The Constitution points out that Samuel Adams, Founding Father and among those who signed the Declaration of Independence, said the ideas of a welfare state were made unconstitutional by the Founders – “The utopian schemes of leveling (redistribution of the wealth) and a community of goods (central ownership of all the means of production and distribution) are as visionary and impracticable as those which vest all property in the Crown. (These ideas) are arbitrary, despotic, and, in our government (a Republic), unconstitutional.”* Unfortunately, politics of the early 1900’s saw things differently and began to overhaul and redefine freedom, liberty, and charity under the label of Democracy.
Today it’s common place to hear public officials and/or icons from Obama to Bush and yes, even Palin, refer to America as a Democracy. Every time I hear it, it’s like nails on a chalk board!
Democracy is a form of government in which supreme power lies in an organized body of people where decisions are based on “majority rule” and are binding to the rest of the people. Unlike a Democracy, America is a constitutional Republic, in which supreme power lies in a body of citizens who elect people to represent them. A Democracy, when unchecked, can quickly turn corrupt because its structure has no balance of power, making it possible for tyranny rule under a single political power or organized group; the majority oppresses the minority. A Republic, as designed by the Founders and protected by the Constitution, is the most balanced form of government because it delineates a separation of power (Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch) and, by the voting power of an engaged electorate, public officials can be replaced – this constitutional framework best avoids an accumulation of power, promotes independence at its core, and best protects individual freedom and liberty.
Around the world we see Democracies in trouble; countries going bankrupt from the financial drain due to excessive welfare programs and corruption. America may be on the same path of destruction. In part due to the systematic plan to govern America from the perspective of a social Democracy instead of a constitutional Republic. First, politicians, schools, and the media perpetuate a culture of corruption and ignorance towards the Constitution. As a result, the line has become blurred between a Republic and a Democracy. Second, powerful unions and special interest organizations created a professional political core from which the “political chosen” are thrust into the spot light regardless of experience and high merit, but solely for the self-serving purpose to accelerate transforming America into a Democracy…on the verge of tyranny. In the day of the Founding Fathers, The People nominated and chose their public officials based on proven experience, constitutional wisdom, and personal virtue. The Tea Party movement brought these principles back into the theater of the electorate and created a shockwave of ‘uh-oh’ among the high power political core. As a consequence, put power back in the hands of The People to restore Our Republic.
Our country is far removed from the Constitutional model set forth by our Founding Fathers and Americans must remain vigilant to 2012 and beyond. Continue to educate the difference between a Republic and a Democracy. Teach the Constitution so the next time likely voters are asked, “Is the Federal Government operating inside the limits of the Constitution?” their answers coincide to an electorate that embodies a Republic instead of a Democracy.
I’ll close with three quotes from James Madison, Founding Father and 4th President of The United States of America:
“Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; have in general been as short in their lives as they are violent in their death.” - Federalist Papers, No. 10, November 22, 1787
“We may define a republic to be… a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during [the people’s] pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior.” – Federalist Papers, No. 39, January, 1788
“It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens, and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freeman of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise, and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle.” – James Madison “A Memorial and Remonstrance”, 1785
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.
A Rasmussen survey recently reported that out of 1000 likely voters polled nationally, forty-five percent (45%) believe that the Federal Government is working outside the limits of the Constitution. Yet thirty-nine percent (39%) believe they are working inside the limits and seventeen percent (17%) don’t know. These numbers show there is still much work ahead to educate Americans on the Founding Fathers’ ideas behind the Constitution and the boundaries of government. From FDR’s “New Deal” to Bailouts and Obamacare, Americans have been in a slow cooker of progressive socialism, suffocating under the nationalization of charity in the quest to advance Democracy. America is NOT a Democracy!!
In the early 1900’s politicians and special interest groups began integrating the word Democracy into the consciousness of America. They linked the word to so called “charitable” programs designed to serve the betterment of Americans and “Our Democracy.” As a result, the phrase “Our Democracy” replaced “Our Republic” in everyday dialogue. Overtime, the so called charitable programs, all for the sake of Democracy, did nothing more than create a welfare state and put America on the path towards socialism and fiscal destruction. We Learn The Constitution points out that Samuel Adams, Founding Father and among those who signed the Declaration of Independence, said the ideas of a welfare state were made unconstitutional by the Founders – “The utopian schemes of leveling (redistribution of the wealth) and a community of goods (central ownership of all the means of production and distribution) are as visionary and impracticable as those which vest all property in the Crown. (These ideas) are arbitrary, despotic, and, in our government (a Republic), unconstitutional.”* Unfortunately, politics of the early 1900’s saw things differently and began to overhaul and redefine freedom, liberty, and charity under the label of Democracy.
Today it’s common place to hear public officials and/or icons from Obama to Bush and yes, even Palin, refer to America as a Democracy. Every time I hear it, it’s like nails on a chalk board!
Democracy is a form of government in which supreme power lies in an organized body of people where decisions are based on “majority rule” and are binding to the rest of the people. Unlike a Democracy, America is a constitutional Republic, in which supreme power lies in a body of citizens who elect people to represent them. A Democracy, when unchecked, can quickly turn corrupt because its structure has no balance of power, making it possible for tyranny rule under a single political power or organized group; the majority oppresses the minority. A Republic, as designed by the Founders and protected by the Constitution, is the most balanced form of government because it delineates a separation of power (Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branch) and, by the voting power of an engaged electorate, public officials can be replaced – this constitutional framework best avoids an accumulation of power, promotes independence at its core, and best protects individual freedom and liberty.
Around the world we see Democracies in trouble; countries going bankrupt from the financial drain due to excessive welfare programs and corruption. America may be on the same path of destruction. In part due to the systematic plan to govern America from the perspective of a social Democracy instead of a constitutional Republic. First, politicians, schools, and the media perpetuate a culture of corruption and ignorance towards the Constitution. As a result, the line has become blurred between a Republic and a Democracy. Second, powerful unions and special interest organizations created a professional political core from which the “political chosen” are thrust into the spot light regardless of experience and high merit, but solely for the self-serving purpose to accelerate transforming America into a Democracy…on the verge of tyranny. In the day of the Founding Fathers, The People nominated and chose their public officials based on proven experience, constitutional wisdom, and personal virtue. The Tea Party movement brought these principles back into the theater of the electorate and created a shockwave of ‘uh-oh’ among the high power political core. As a consequence, put power back in the hands of The People to restore Our Republic.
Our country is far removed from the Constitutional model set forth by our Founding Fathers and Americans must remain vigilant to 2012 and beyond. Continue to educate the difference between a Republic and a Democracy. Teach the Constitution so the next time likely voters are asked, “Is the Federal Government operating inside the limits of the Constitution?” their answers coincide to an electorate that embodies a Republic instead of a Democracy.
I’ll close with three quotes from James Madison, Founding Father and 4th President of The United States of America:
“Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; have in general been as short in their lives as they are violent in their death.” - Federalist Papers, No. 10, November 22, 1787
“We may define a republic to be… a government which derives all its powers directly or indirectly from the great body of the people, and is administered by persons holding their offices during [the people’s] pleasure, for a limited period, or during good behavior.” – Federalist Papers, No. 39, January, 1788
“It is proper to take alarm at the first experiment on our liberties. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens, and one of the noblest characteristics of the late Revolution. The freeman of America did not wait till usurped power had strengthened itself by exercise, and entangled the question in precedents. They saw all the consequences in the principle, and they avoided the consequences by denying the principle.” – James Madison “A Memorial and Remonstrance”, 1785
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.
Let Freedom Reign (commentary written for CNB 11/22/2010)
by Nickie Summers
The midterm elections of 2010 are over and We The People sent an overwhelming message to change the course of policy in government. The elections proved to be the highest conservative gain in the House in over 60 years. With that comes a more balanced, constitutional approach towards governing and protecting freedom…or does it?
This week I began research for my next book. While reading quotes from the Founding Fathers it became clear to me that balance is best achieved from two fronts. First, fix Washington D.C. and state governments and second, engage our children in the quest to protect freedom: individual prosperity verses government handouts, self-reliance verses government dependency.
The Founding Fathers often refer to the importance of educating children on the principles of freedom, why our country fought to be free, and the safeguards to remain free. I believe in order to perpetuate the ideas, concepts, and love for freedom as expressed by the Founders, parents and grandparents must educate young children on the founding principles passionately and frequently. If not, the cycle of education will be broken and as a result the ties to our country’s past will be forgotten, rewritten, and freedom will no longer reign.
This brings me to a piece I wrote earlier this year before the historic midterm elections. I share it as part of today’s commentary because it reflects thoughts as an American and a mother facing and preparing for an uncertain future and finding strength through the prism of hope and the resolve of the Constitution:
Saturday, February 20, 2010 – Nickie Summers
Today I spent the morning watching my son practice his golf game, chipping, putting, and driving. The sun was shining and the temperature was 55 degrees…just a beautiful day. While he was playing, he moved out of my view so I decided to pull from my purse my pocket Constitution and I began to read it, again for the umpteenth time. And again, I was awed at the brilliance of our Founding Fathers and, again, dismayed at the profound neglect, absence, manipulation of their words in politics today.
I pondered at how the erosion of the founding principles didn’t happen over night; it’s been a slow, methodical evolution. I began to wonder ‘who is the person today bold enough to be our modern day refounder? Who has the capacity and backbone to lead citizens of the United States of America back to her founding principles, back to the freedoms and liberties declared at her birth? Will it be a mom who looks at her children and decides she is going to jump into the political fight on behalf of her children’s freedom and future? Will it be a dad who lost his job and decided to promote his ideals and lay a new path to fight for the survival of free markets and capitalism? Is it a collection of individuals creating a movement whose force has flustered the mindset of traditional political groups?’
My thoughts drifted back to the present when my son came back into view. From the distance he looked at me with a smile on his face and I smiled back. At that moment I thought deeply on what the future will bring to this beautiful 12 year old boy. What if he chooses to have a family and children? What will their future bring? Will they live in a free country of liberties and rights endowed by God, declared in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the Constitution? Will I be telling stories to my grandchildren about when the United States of America use to be a free country?
Sad to loose freedom having experienced it; sad to never have had it at all! And so that’s it…that’s the key!! We MUST protect what we have. Protect our freedom and demand we return to the principles under which this great nation was founded…it is time for a new birth. Abraham Lincoln led this nation through a new birth in 1863, it can be done again! We The People are in control, We The People are empowered…we can do this; the Constitution is our ammunition…it was written for us to protect us…Read it, know it…be educated…be empowered…be hopeful…
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.
The midterm elections of 2010 are over and We The People sent an overwhelming message to change the course of policy in government. The elections proved to be the highest conservative gain in the House in over 60 years. With that comes a more balanced, constitutional approach towards governing and protecting freedom…or does it?
This week I began research for my next book. While reading quotes from the Founding Fathers it became clear to me that balance is best achieved from two fronts. First, fix Washington D.C. and state governments and second, engage our children in the quest to protect freedom: individual prosperity verses government handouts, self-reliance verses government dependency.
The Founding Fathers often refer to the importance of educating children on the principles of freedom, why our country fought to be free, and the safeguards to remain free. I believe in order to perpetuate the ideas, concepts, and love for freedom as expressed by the Founders, parents and grandparents must educate young children on the founding principles passionately and frequently. If not, the cycle of education will be broken and as a result the ties to our country’s past will be forgotten, rewritten, and freedom will no longer reign.
This brings me to a piece I wrote earlier this year before the historic midterm elections. I share it as part of today’s commentary because it reflects thoughts as an American and a mother facing and preparing for an uncertain future and finding strength through the prism of hope and the resolve of the Constitution:
Saturday, February 20, 2010 – Nickie Summers
Today I spent the morning watching my son practice his golf game, chipping, putting, and driving. The sun was shining and the temperature was 55 degrees…just a beautiful day. While he was playing, he moved out of my view so I decided to pull from my purse my pocket Constitution and I began to read it, again for the umpteenth time. And again, I was awed at the brilliance of our Founding Fathers and, again, dismayed at the profound neglect, absence, manipulation of their words in politics today.
I pondered at how the erosion of the founding principles didn’t happen over night; it’s been a slow, methodical evolution. I began to wonder ‘who is the person today bold enough to be our modern day refounder? Who has the capacity and backbone to lead citizens of the United States of America back to her founding principles, back to the freedoms and liberties declared at her birth? Will it be a mom who looks at her children and decides she is going to jump into the political fight on behalf of her children’s freedom and future? Will it be a dad who lost his job and decided to promote his ideals and lay a new path to fight for the survival of free markets and capitalism? Is it a collection of individuals creating a movement whose force has flustered the mindset of traditional political groups?’
My thoughts drifted back to the present when my son came back into view. From the distance he looked at me with a smile on his face and I smiled back. At that moment I thought deeply on what the future will bring to this beautiful 12 year old boy. What if he chooses to have a family and children? What will their future bring? Will they live in a free country of liberties and rights endowed by God, declared in the Declaration of Independence and protected by the Constitution? Will I be telling stories to my grandchildren about when the United States of America use to be a free country?
Sad to loose freedom having experienced it; sad to never have had it at all! And so that’s it…that’s the key!! We MUST protect what we have. Protect our freedom and demand we return to the principles under which this great nation was founded…it is time for a new birth. Abraham Lincoln led this nation through a new birth in 1863, it can be done again! We The People are in control, We The People are empowered…we can do this; the Constitution is our ammunition…it was written for us to protect us…Read it, know it…be educated…be empowered…be hopeful…
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.
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