Friday, September 28, 2018

Vigilance is an Honor



                “The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” This quote, often contentiously attributed to Thomas Jefferson (who may have not said it at all and really may have been said by American Abolitionist and liberal activist Wendell Phillips on January 28, 1852, who may have cribbed it from other prior sources[1]) is still the truest statement regarding the nature of our Republic and our impression of Democracy.

                It has always been our duty as citizens to question the intentions and desires of our electorate in order to preserve the freedoms our forebearers fought for. It is an absolute in our Republic that anyone in a position of power should be questioned about their character, morality and judgment. It is in the better interest of our free society to drill into the marrow of a person poised for power. It is our duty to delve into their hearts, their minds and if possible, their souls to verify they are the type of person that best reflects the character of our Country.

                We must always be vigilant against the tides of despotism, of an unbalanced government, of rampant corruption and electoral apathy. We are historically bound to make this country, for all it’s faults, a better place to live. Not just for ourselves but to future generations that will call this country their home. We have a duty to make sure future Americans will feel pride when they think about the efforts their ancestors made in creating a place where their personal liberties are not infringed upon by an out of control government.

                We must question the nature of intention when any individual decides they want to be a part of a self-run system of government. A government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is imperative we shake the trees of a person’s history, their thought processes, their desire and capability in order to provide equal representation under the law. We must always ask, and ask again if the answer is not satisfactory. We should ask again when that answer is still not satisfactory.

                It is a burden we as citizens must bear as well as the burden of any elected official to answer. It is not easy to be vigilant. It is difficult to maintain a watchful eye on the complexities of politics. The political tensions and tribalism regarding any particular ideal or person can be extremely daunting. Yet, we still must question it. We are honor bound by the sacrifices of so many to ask whether this idea or this person is right and good for all the people. It is correct to question the nature of what is good and right. It is incredibly challenging to break through the clutter, shadows and double-talk our political system seems to overflow with. Yet we must.

                We must take what we learn about any idea or person and weigh it against our interior morality. We must turn the idea or personality in odd ways, see it from every angle if we can and confirm whether it is indeed something decent and beneficial for progress. Progress toward a free and equal society benefiting and reflecting the morality of the present and forward thinking enough to benefit the future.

                Liberty is rare in society; to be able to think and believe and do whatever it is I think is best without a jack-booted thug kicking in my door and threatening me to follow or die is a precious right. We as Americans are imbued with a desire to be free, to not be trod upon, by any dictator, king or despot. It is our liberty, this rare gift of an Age of Enlightenment, that we must protect.

                That precious Liberty we hold so dear is incumbent upon us and those we elect to represent us to ask questions, to ponder the ramifications of any act, plan or political machinations. It is in the asking that the truest form of liberty can shine through. It is in the vigilant questioning we preserve liberty, justice, and equality. We are the makers of our own liberties. We are the shoulders that bare the weight of liberty. We cannot shrug this duty off onto others or pretend through inaction it will somehow take care of itself. We must always be the beacon of liberty to the underrepresented, the downtrodden and the forgotten.
               
                Liberty is not a function of the government, it is a function of We the People attempting to form a more perfect Union. In that forming of liberty and freedom we are saddled with incredible responsibilities. Responsibilities that should never be tossed aside, dismissed or thought to be unpopular. We must vigilantly and vigorously question those in power, power we gave them, to insure our liberties are being protected. It is eternal.


[1] http://www.thisdayinquotes.com/2011/01/eternal-vigilance-is-price-of-liberty.html

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