July 25, 2018

Freedom and Independence

By Tammy Derouin

We are blessed to live in a country where our God-given rights are acknowledge and protected by the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution is a liberating document because it restricts and limits the power of the government. The government is empowered by the people and is not supposed to make laws which infringe upon or restrict our rights. The Constitution establishes that we are a land of laws not men. The founding fathers also made clear that we are a Republic not a true democracy.

Sadly, many do not understand how our system of government works. They call for radical changes which would fundamentally change our country from its original intent of freedom and independence to enslavement and dependency. Separation of powers and the checks and balance they are supposed to provide is vital so that one branch doesn't become too powerful. The Electoral College is another good example. It is vital to our Republic but people need to understand how and why it works. Do those who call for such changes understand that if their attempts are successful, it would turn back the hands of time? We the people need to understand when destructive forces are attempting to destroy us. Once freedom is gone, there's a good chance it is gone forever.

For far too many years, our government was in the hands of corrupt individuals who sought to destroy our founding principles, our system of government and our security. Corruption and abuse of power was rampant as scandal after scandal revealed more evidence that our way of life was under attack. The majority of Americans saw through the con-game and opted to elect an outsider. Once power was lost, their attempts to save their anti-freedom agenda flew off the charts. The attacks continue as the powers that used to be, grasp at straws and try to create problems and controversy to stay relevant. I think the majority of Americans are growing more and more aware of their games.

The takeover of the press has benefited them as they saturate the airways with propaganda. Of course, they deny it and claim just the opposite. Those who are still blindly following the mainstream media are lost in deception. When individuals do not have a good counter argument or evidence to support their belief, the rhetoric, which flows freely out of the talking heads, is repeated. And there you have it, as many dictators knew, controlling the press and spreading lies was essential to remaining in power.

I've been very blessed to have had the opportunity to write this column for over seven years. Doing so has kept me very current with the world of politics. I learned a long time ago that the mainstream media could no longer be trusted. Sadly, I also learned that it was no longer just a difference of opinion. Hostilities toward fellow Americans have increased simply because of opposing opinions. Hatred and violence towards those who do not accept the agenda of the Left continues to increase. The Left claims to be tolerant but they will only tolerate you if you think as they think and act as they act. I'm not a puppet.

If we are going to remain a free and independent nation we must hold those who are in power accountable for their actions. I mean the ones who used to be in power too. There are far too many questions, discrepancies and questionable behavior which have gone too long without being investigated. We must also hold the press accountable. For far too long they have been allowed to be the puppet press of the Left. The best thing we can do is shut them off. They insult the intelligence of the American people.

We are an exceptional nation because we are free. How long we remain free is up to us. We must ask ourselves if we prefer the blessings of liberty or the chains of enslavement. The future is in our hands. We need to understand the importance of the Constitution and what it means to be free. We have taken our freedoms and rights for granted to the point that many are willingly putting them on the chopping block for some make-believe security. There are powers which wish to remove our freedom and will try to convince you that you need the government to survive. Those aren't the principles which made America great. Freedom and independence are the American way.

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”

Ronald Reagan