I Do Declare!

Often times, I watch TV and read articles and follow current events. As I do all that, I guess I look at everything a little differently than I would say a lot of people. As someone who has studied history and politics, I look at things before and beyond 2009. I see what has worked and what hasn't and look at things from both sides. While I do that, I find myself wondering what makes someone say something or have their opinion. Don't get me wrong, I believe that everyone is entitled to have their opinions and thoughts and feelings; but there must be some type of discretion used a little more.

Allow me to take a minute to take a deep breath. ... Okay. There are some things that I see or hear that occasionally to put it lightly...set me off. One of those things involves the use of the term "AMERICAN". Last time I checked, it doesn't matter if you are a Democrat or a Republican. Your skin tone, religious beliefs, gender, education, or anything else along those lines shouldn't make you more or less American. I am beyond fed up with the misuse and literal tossing around of a word that in my opinion everyone holds dear to them. If you call one group of protesters or individuals unamerican than you can't say another group is. That is called being a hypocrite and that type of attitude never leads to positive results. I am beyond annoyed hearing people tell members of Congress or anyone else they come across that "they want their America back". Where did it go? I am pretty sure that within the last year nothing has changed America and made it go away. There are times when important issues come up and debate rightfully arises. I don't remember anytime in the last eight years that the health care issue was addressed at all considering an overwhelming majority want some type of reform. The majority of voices that critics seem to highlight are in actuality a minority. I agree we should have debate, but all this yelling and these assertions need to stop. And please, please STOP USING THE TERM "AMERICAN" OR "UNAMERICAN"(that includes those in the conservative media and anyone else who uses the term a little too much). And to show that I'm impartial; the liberal media and those on that side of the aisle need to also watch what they say and not cross the line. When either occurs it adds to paranoia and that solves nothing.

With all that said, I will now lay down some analysis and perspective...something NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE USE. Especially all those who aren't willing to except all phases of what make this country great. I will go so far as to declare my independence and tell you just how it is...

Since some of those who give us our news like to talk about where America has come from; nothing represents it more than our declaration of independence 233 years ago. Using one of the documents that has shaped where we are today, I will "drop some knowledge" of America then and now. Using that same document, one can gather a glimpse of where were and where we could go.

Jefferson writes of truths that are self-evident. These truths being 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. Well, can we truly say that all men were truly created equal and endowed the same unalienable rights that Jefferson speaks of. Can we even say that even today all these years later that all men (and women) are treated equally and given the same rights. Unfortunately, slavery was rampant in 1776 and it was not until the 20th century that major initiatives were enacted for African Americans, women, Hispanics, and gays and lesbians. Despite all that we are still working toward ensuring that all men (and women) have the same rights that can be interpreted from Jefferson's words.

Continuing, Jefferson mentions of governments instituted among men and deriving their powers from the consent of the governed and when any form of government becomes destructive; it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and institute a new government. This process is done to ensure that safety and happiness is ensured. So, to keep it simple: if you don't feel someone is governing for you correctly; you can not reelect them. Back in 1776, things were not as democratic as they are in 2009 and we the people of the United States are the ones today whom remove elected officials as opposed to political parties/machines. 2006 and 2008 were examples of exactly what Jefferson speaks of. The majority did not like many of the elected officials (in this case, it was much of the Republican Party) and voted in new faces; many of which were new, young blood. It has not even been a year since the 111th Congress and the new president have been together. Things that these officials do might not be accepted by everyone, but people need to take a step back and realize that they have either one year (in the case of Representatives and some Senators) or three or five years in the case of the other Senators and three years in the case of the president. Too many times, I feel people tend to look at the short-term picture and hastily make decisions. The people who were elected were put their because hopefully they should be able to look at things in terms of 2009, but also 2010 and years after that. If at the end of their terms, you simply choose to elect their opponent. However, for now try not to attack as harshly those elected officials(it may be deserved if you feel so, but do so with respect). And above all else, DON'T WISH THEM PHYSICAL HARM! Karma comes around. Beware. The government and America that was pictured in 1776 was for a democracy where people had their voices heard and there wouldn't be a King ruling over them until they died. It gets a little annoying hearing some of these complaints cause no one in government today is anything near ruling like a monarch. They might be making unpopular decisions, but you were the ones who elected them and should trust that they will work through problems. Have a little patience...something people tend to lack sometimes.

Jefferson brings up the history of the present King of Great Britain and a history of repeated injuries and usurpations; actions as a result of absolute tyranny. Again, open your eyes and ears a little more and analyze today vs yesterday. See things in a bigger context and those who think the government is some tyrannical monster will see the government has given us many of things that we appreciate having today. If you think the government in America is trying to run your life, try going to a country that doesn't have any freedoms. In some countries, if you go a town hall for instance and voice a disagreement (I doubt there would be a forum like that, but pretend there was); I would not be surprised if you were to be arrested or something worst. Be thankful you what you have here and what the government (that some seem to hate) are trying to get you. Read some history some time and you might see that past presidents and time periods were a lot worse than what we have today. The government many moons ago was only for those with property and to equate that to today's standards; you would probably have to a millionaire or something close to it.

Today and what was pictured in 1776 was a government for the public good. I might be on the wrong track or a bit off, but I doubt it. What the government is doing overall is for the public good. They have done some things that as of right now are a bit unfavorable or have made choices that have given them more than a fair share of dissenters. Like I have previously stated, give it time. The current hot topic is health care. It may not be something along the lines of freedom of speech, but going back to equality that Jefferson's mentions early in the Declaration; providing affordable health care would certainly fall under providing for the public good. The America of 1776 and before was one ruled without the best interest of the public citizens. For much of the our rich history, there have been times when the public good was not served. That fact can be stated for various individuals in today's societies. A lot has changed for the better, but as with most things: progress is still to be made. Government before 1776 was not for the people by the people; that is different today regardless of your political views. People, no matter there standing, were subjected to a lack of rights. That same statement cannot be made against anyone is power in America today.

So, I know where America has come from and what the building block was as the foundation to grow from was. We need to stop attacking the government that is truly by the people for the people. At the same time, being patriotic is not using or exploiting conservations about America or if someone is unamerican or not. We are all Americans. We might be African-American or Asian-American. We might be Catholic, Jewish, or Protestant. We may be straight or homosexual. We may be rich or poor or somewhere in between. We may be college educated or not. But at the end of the day we have our principles. Our integrity. Our morals. Our history. I am not looking to attack those who I feel don't do things the proper or "democratic" way. I want the spin to stop. I want the lies to stop. If you have proof that something is the way it is; then by all means state your opinion. I WISH MORE PEOPLE WOULD USE FACTS! Fiction is meant for books with characters. Not in the media or about our government and what they might be doing. I declare that these truth to be self evident that all people are created equal and should be able to pursue their rights and choices. Enough is enough and change is starting and those who don't like it are the ones who need to look in the mirror and check themselves because America and the government is meant to change. The changes should be for the better and once the media and government get on the same page for the American people then everything will finally be just and balanced. That is something that I believe Thomas Jefferson hoped to see in 1776. The same tricks of the past are wearing old and will dissolve soon enough and I declare a new society and frontier is upon us and it is for the better.