Ben Franklin said we had a Republic --- if we could keep it. The Constitution begins “We, the people”. The Declaration of Independence speaks of equality and inalienable rights. Both documents excluded most of the population when written but they have guided us, nevertheless, in fits and starts to a more perfect union.
“E Pluribus Unum”, “out of many, one” reflects a nation made stronger by diversity, while President Trump divides “we, the people” into “us” and “them”.
Our Founders placed checks and balances on power to avoid rule by a “king” while the current Supreme Court and Republican Congress create an imperial Presidency. The Supreme Court placed a President above the law in order to feel free to make bold moves, like inciting an insurrection. Republican Congress is more concerned for political lives than the physical threat to their lives on 1/6/21 and our Constitution by an insurrection incited by a President they could have prohibited from further office. “Project 2025” progresses to create a MAGA society based on the values of conservative Christian Nationalists.
As other vital institutions such as media, and universities cave to Trump, it’s left to us to heed Franklin. Let’s continue to resist an imperial presidency and a President who manipulates our differences to divide and dehumanize us. Let’s celebrate our 250th as “We, the People”, still struggling to form that perfect union.
