In the latest news of the attempted assassination of former President Trump and the current Republican Presidential Nominee of 2024, I am reminded that being a public servant does not come without a price, as history has shown us. Sometimes that price is paid by the servant’s family and friends and can even be paid by the servant’s life or even permanent injury.
When our forefathers wrote the Declaration of Independence their goals were to rally the troops, win foreign allies, and announce the creation of a new country. One of the most important goals achieved was the unification of the colonies, so they began to fight together as a newly created country instead of working against each other by making separate peace agreements with Britain. Most importantly they gave us unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The following is a transcription of the Stone Engraving of the parchment Declaration of Independence (the document on display in the Rotunda at the National Archives Museum.) “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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –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 affect their Safety and Happiness.”
The declaration secures those rights and freedoms with a government of the rights of the people. A republic is defined as “a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.” A republic is governed by a democracy which is defined as “a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.” Neither definition states that the republic or governing democracy is determined by one or a few, it is determined by the majority of the people.
I am writing this as we Americans are in a very divided state regarding our rights and freedoms. We need to somehow remember that everyone is given the right to their own beliefs and understandings. But that does not give anyone the right to harm or kill an individual for their beliefs. After all the Declaration was written to ensure our rights and freedoms and gave a decisive means of government by the people to ensure that those rights, freedoms, and liberties were safe based upon the majority belief.
Political strategy is important in every race, but the strategy to undermine our nation and beliefs is totally unacceptable to me and a travesty to every American. The strategy to create a political climate of hate or ideal indoctrination will erode the outstanding principles that our Nation was founded on. It also erodes the commitment and price to America’s government with those who serve and to those who have paid freedom with their lives. I won’t even go into the commandment of “Thou shalt not murder”.
You know now why I feel so strongly for people to vote and participate in government and why I fight so hard to inform people of their freedoms, rights, and liberties and what the government is creating in laws, ordinances, and appropriations.
In light of what has happened the last 24 hours, our Nation and people need to put political differences aside and pray for our country, all the families affected by the tragic act against our democracy, and all of our own families here at home.
Most of all I encourage you to remember government is best served by a majority and please go vote ~ “Your power lies with your vote”. God Bless this Great Nation & you!
The online link for voter registration or registration updates is below:
Florida Online Voter Registration System (registertovoteflorida.gov)