Dear Editor:
George Washington was our first President. He signaled a new democracy in the world, a new nation founded on freedom from tyranny, and hopes of America becoming a major force in the world. A nation governed by LAW and not men. That has come to pass; America is the greatest nation ever in history.
However, some colonists LIKED being under the rule of King George III. They hated that America had thrown off their ruler and adopted a government of, by, and for the People. These colonists considered their lives “great” with King George making all the decisions, having all the power, and allowing them to be sycophantic to him. These were people who couldn’t handle freedom, were comfortable being subservient, and considered that “self rule” was foolhardy, since people, in their experience, don’t know what’s good for them.
People with this mindset are around today. They’re not a majority of voters in America, but they number enough to install a President likely to ‘Make America Great Again,’ that is, like it was under King George.
So, what is this “greatness” these people long for? We don’t have to guess; Thos. Jefferson spelled it out in our Declaration of Independence. The things a tyrant does that were intolerable to our founding patriots, but the things fans of monarchy long to return to, to supposedly Make America Great Again (MAGA).
Jefferson characterized the behavior of King George as “a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably … absolute Despotism.” Imagine Jefferson reading today’s headlines. Here’s what he would see, in the behavior of our current President …
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone. He protects his agents and allies, mocking Justice, from punishment for any crimes which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States.
He has forbidden to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless his Assent should be obtained. He has refused the accommodation of large districts of people, causing them to relinquish the right of Representation, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has exercised every measure of government intimidation against those he considers political foes, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dismissed esteemed public servants, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused to assent to election results.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to migrations hither. He has erected a multitude of New Officers and advisors, and sent hither swarms to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world: For imposing Taxes/Tariffs on us without our Consent. For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury. For transporting us beyond Seas to be imprisoned for pretended offences.
Jefferson judged, “A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.” I agree.
Jeff Harrison
Buffalo TX
