U.S. Constitutional preamble (we the people) and U.S. flag
OP-ED by Brent Willoughby
The recent FBI raid of former President Trump's home has set off a firestorm of partisan attacks and counterattacks. Who's to blame? How could this happen? Was it justified? Depending on which side of the political aisle you identify with, you probably have started to form your own opinions.
Everyone has their own favorite news source and oftentimes they do not question the media coverage that they subscribe to. Very few people will try to gather information that does not correspond with their own personal ideologies and that allows for unfair and unbalanced coverage to flourish on both sides.
I believe that is unfortunate, because as a result of this we have entered into a period that is one of the most dangerous in the storied history of the United States of America. A period of mobs, triggering, and cancel culture that has sent this country spinning out of control and left it unidentifiable within our own broken borders and even more frightening, around the world. I believe it is time we ask the following question: Is the system broken? Yes or No?
I wish it were that simple but truthfully it is not. What if the answer is actually a combination of the two, Yes and No? In its current state of affairs, I believe that the majority of Americans would agree that they are fed up with the way the federal government is conducting business. One party rule seems to be the agenda and that is why we have terms like RINO, socialist, and global elite. The state levels of government are not without fault and oftentimes act as a catapult into the federal arena.
Local government may be the most corrupt of all as it is the easiest to seize control of. At all levels we are truly lacking the presence of genuine public servants. People in positions of power become drunk on that power and will lie, cheat, and manipulate in order to remain in power. Self-serving servants may be a more appropriate description. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely is a quote attributed to a 19th century historian named John Dalberg-Acton. These were wise words and I believe they serve as a cautionary tale. The founding fathers of this nation put checks and balances in place and state and local governments have mirrored many of those.
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches that are meant to act as safeguards for the inalienable rights we all share. Unfortunately, we live in a time when those co-equal lines have been crossed and We the People suffer. The people in government can't agree on anything with one exception, they need more of your money so they can continue to fight over who gets to spend it. With that being said it is very clear (yes) the system is broken.
Teen girl shows voter ID and picks up her ballot at a polling station
On the other hand, there is still hope. That hope lies in the votes we cast at the ballot box. I believe that is why election integrity must be paramount at all levels of government. If the President of the United States can be impeached, then every other elected official should be subject to impeachment or recall as deemed necessary by the citizens they represent.
State legislatures must continue to pursue fair and honest elections and update laws and statutes to guarantee that every legal vote is counted. Every illegal vote should be investigated and those responsible prosecuted when appropriate. If we lose our right to vote in free, fair, and secured elections than we will lose all of our rights. There are systems in place that can fix the problems at all levels of government. Being an election year, I would encourage all potential voters to do more research so that they may make a more informed decision.
Politicians lie and straddle both sides of the fence as they attempt to appease as many potential voters as possible. If they are running for re-election go back and check their voting history. Platforms change with the wind in current times and most officials are trying to avoid being placed in the crosshairs of one mob or another. If they get elected and don't do what they said they would do, then that is where those impeachments and recalls would come into effect. Can your local politicians currently be recalled? If they can't find out why and demand change. By implementing these steps (no) our system is not broken and the parts that are unravelling can be repaired.
Lastly, it is important to understand the most basic principle of a representative government. Those elected are going to serve. The question is are they going to serve their constituents or are they going to serve themselves? If good, honest, and moral people fail to run for offices then we will undoubtedly be left with the people who are only willing to serve their own interests.
Public service should be a seen as a sacrifice not an opportunity. Let's all make sure we know where each candidate stands and vote accordingly. If we don't then we will hear the echoes of Ronald Regan who once said, "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are I'm from the government and I'm here to help."
Semper Fidelis!
About Brent Willoughby:
- Proud Kentucky native
- Husband
- Father
- Grandfather
- Former Sergeant U.S.M.C
- Member of Mount Carmel Christian Church
- Lifelong student of history and humanity.
