According to the literal definition of politically correct explored in part one of this series, change we can believe in must begin with strict adherence to the Constitution of the United States of America. We only have one obstacle to overcome - the behemoth that is our federal government, bloated with unconstitutional agencies and expenditures passed by power-hungry, self-serving politicians.
Initial Intent of the Constitution
Our representatives have lost their way. Exercising the will of the people, our original representatives established our republic on behalf of we the people of the United States. As a result, it is we the people who supposedly grant limited authority to our elected officials, yet we have slowly allowed them to legislate unconstitutional infringements upon our God-given liberties. It is time to assert our first amendment rights and demand a redress for our grievances, which literally means we have the right to petition our government to correct a wrong and make amends.
To fully understand the liberties and limits established by the Constitution, however, we must first understand our founders and the original proclamation that established our independence from British rule.
Declaration of Independence and God-given Rights
Despite attempts to rewrite our history, a careful examination consistently reveals our Christian heritage. From Jamestown to Plymouth, our earliest settlers came with the express purpose of establishing a means to promote the Christian message without fear of government oppression. In fact, the settlers in Jamestown were sent by edict of King James for that express purpose.1
That is why the Declaration of Independence states, “When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary…to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…” It goes on to declare, “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.” Those are not the only references to God. In the closing paragraph the declaration states, “We, therefore…appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world…with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence.”
Those were not happenstance references. Our founders were deliberate in their declarations, claiming their rightful place as an independent people, pledging their allegiance to the God who granted them their rights.
Who’s in Charge - the Rights of the Governed
Our founders were very careful to keep their positions in proper perspective. As indicated, they understood the sovereignty of God in relation to true human rights. They also understood their position as representatives of the people. Going back to the last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, it is clear our representatives understood their roles: “We, therefore, the Representatives of the united [sic] State of America, in General Congress, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world [emphasis mine] for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies [emphasis mine], solemnly publish and declare…” They were appealing to God while acting under the authority of the American people. That is why the Constitution begins, “We the people of the United States.”
The Declaration of Independence sets forth an abbreviated list of God-given rights: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. I say abbreviated because our founders indicate those three are “among” our God-given rights. The declaration continues by establishing the means of securing those rights.
“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed [emphasis mine], --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… 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.”
Notice the precision of the wording. Governments are established to secure God-given rights, but those governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. If a government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it…to throw off such government.
Limited Government – Enumerated Powers
The Constitution simply establishes, “We the People of the United States of America, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” There was purpose and meaning behind every word. The limited framework established by the Constitution created a uniform system to bind the independent states together, so they could prosper in peace and enjoy their God-given rights.
The Constitution established each branch of government with very specific and restricted roles, reinforced by the tenth amendment: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the People.” I will explore the enumerated powers, and abuses thereof, in future articles.
Time for Politically Correct Change We Can Believe In
Our founders declared independence from Great Britain due, in part, to taxation without representation, and that is precisely what we have in our Washington today. Our elected representatives need to relinquish their repressive stranglehold on the governed and return the power to the people. That is politically correct change we can believe in.
Sources:
1. Norris, Chuck. Black Belt Patriotism: How to Reawaken America. Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing, Inc., 2008, p. 26.
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