During the 1918 Spanish influenza pandemic, many Americans refused to comply with a mask ordinance, not believing in its effectiveness. Perhaps in that day and at that time, Americans didn’t look to the elected to run their lives. They didn’t believe that the rich and powerful knew more than they did. They respected the elected, but they didn’t trust their futures to them. Americans took responsibility for their lives, liberty, and property. And, they weren’t afraid to make some noise.
The Erosion of Individual Liberty in America
During the past 100 years, We the People elected officials to run our lives in a slow, incremental crawl toward an emphasis on outward appearances rather than character. We prized their money and intellect while we went about the business of working hard to make ends meet. We were too busy to pay attention.
Understanding Civic Responsibility Today
Now, the elected are The Selected. We’ve come to expect them to give us cradle-to-grave care. They take the place of a spoiling parent who provides for us so we don’t have to think about it. We now have situations and crises because we didn’t stand against the grain for what we know to be true. The vocal minority turned up the heat in the kitchen and left us with the bill. Now we are paying dearly in life, limb, property, and deception.
Historical Perspectives on American Freedom
Two generations were not taught our American heritage while parents worked one, two, even three jobs to make ends meet. Half the country now wants the same view of government as that of failed nations. Young people and their tired parents place their faith in The Selected, trusting them to figure it all out. It’s not going well for us. You and I are still responsible for guarding our liberty. That hasn’t changed—unless we abandon our Constitution. As of this writing, the Constitution still begins with We the People. Our liberty is our responsibility.
Steps for Reclaiming Responsibility
Each one of us can still stand and deliver. Change your ways. Change your mind. Send an email to your Congressmen. Write a letter of gratitude to a soldier. Vets are hurting. Listen to their stories. Sign a petition. Get to know your friends and neighbors. Don’t expect the elected to take care of you. It’s the people near you that will help.
Stop placing your faith in the press. Do not accept everything you hear on the nightly news or read in internet feeds. Seek the truth. If something doesn’t make sense, start investigating it. Share your findings with whoever will listen. Ask questions. Make the elected accountable. Make a change. Make some noise. Be a guardian of your liberty. Stand and deliver.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship.🇺🇸
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