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To the editor:
Over the last few decades we have seen a lot of new "interpretations" made of what is clearly written in our Constitution. Words such as "hate speech", "hate crime", "equity", multiple "special" rights and more have filtered their way into the laws, statutes and policies. The Creator granted the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (property)" to each and every individual human being. Legal citizens under the Constitution of the United States have these rights. These rights do not increase or diminish due to the status of any one individual.
The Founders created a form of government that was limited in its power over the people. The 10th Amendment is clear. "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people".
The point to be made here is to ask the question, how are we as citizens of this Constitutional republic of self government doing with the power we have? How many people know the names or have personal contact with their elected officials whether they be Townships, City Council, School Board, Country Commissioner and State and Federal House, Senate representatives? If you have an issue, do you contact them or just sit around a table with friends, family or others and say "somebody should do something"?
The civic duty as a citizen is more than just voting, which by the way is barely 60% of those eligible. It's attending town hall and meetings, joining a group in your preferred political party, meet and get to know the people that want to become your representative and be a part of who's name appears on the ballot.
Those who are elected take on the responsibility under oath to protect and defend our individual rights according to the Constitution of the United States. They become an employee of the citizens.
Therefore, wouldn't you want to interview and perhaps have references of the people you would hire? Even then, wouldn't you want to evaluate them over a period of time? After all, they work for you.
Roger Baumann
Wabasso