February 14, 2003

Seven Score and Zero Years Ago

Goodbye, America

Seven score and zero years ago an American prophet foresaw:

that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.

Now the American nation is poised to perish from the earth.

It does not have to be!

The government is no longer of the people, by the people, for the people. Substitute "corporations" for "people". The "conservative" administration ("compassionate" at that) is driving America down into a black hole from which it may take generations to emerge, and the rest of the world will fall like dominos into the same pit.

It is not all Mr. Bush's fault. He would not have the power he wields now, if the people's representatives hadn't caved in and unconstitutonally granted it to him. Blame it, untimately, on the Congress. No, blame it on the people that elected and continue to support the representatives that gave away the people's power over their own nation.

Instead of an America governed by the people, we now have a government controlled by business interests, to the point:

Where mass corruption in the executive offices remains unpunished;

Where government officials are elected by the big money that corporations use to gain their unconstitutional vote;

Where the feel-good term "tax cuts" is used to distract the people from the pickpockets who are cleaning out their pockets and transferring the money to corporations and wealthy patrons;

Where wars are waged to keep the oil flowing into corporate reserves and to generate more business building and endlessly replacing weaponry;

Where continued destruction of our environment is justified as another opportunity for business to make a buck by developing technology to help us "cope" with the ramifications of a devestated environment;

Where a budget dripping in red ink is presented as an opportunity to rebuild a neglected economy, where in a time of economic slump pork jobs too numerous to be counted ride high, where a vast increase in spending is "balanced" with a vast decrease in income, guaranteeing an ever mounting debt over at least the next ten years;

Now, we mount an impossible-to-lose mass of military might for a Valentine's Day Massacre and declare America immune from the guidelines that the rest of the world is expected to follow, resulting in the alienation of our allies and the furor of our enemies to the point where we and they are waving nuclear weapons at each other (just like India and Pakistan, whom we chastised for doing the very same thing). Did the American people ask for this?

Do the American people want their government back? Even if money matters make the most difference, do they really think this is a better mode of living, where money flows from their own pockets into corporate pockets? Do Americans trust their government? If so, why? If not, why not put it back on track?

But first, become familiar with the basic principles underlying our form of government. The Constitution (Section 8) declares that Congress (not the President) has the power:

To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water;

To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces;

It also declares (Amendment IV):

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

And (Amendment V):

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

We are not at war - yet. Congress has no excuse for abrogating its powers to the executive branch. The President was given emergency powers, but does 1-1/2 years of preparation constitute "emergency"? Congress likewise has no excuse for allowing the violation of the civil rights of citizens. Congress has, effectively, violated the Constitution and should be called to account for it.

So, Mr. Lincoln, are you listening? Your beloved country is poised to perish from the earth, and the people who are supposed to govern themselves are so wrapped up in the magnificent playground they have created that they are too complacent to do anything but give their blessing.

- Lone Coyote Calls