The Case Against “King George”
December 6th, 2006I’ve sat and pondered about what exactly is wrong with the American people in these dark days of our history. How have the sensibilities, the pride, the demand for justice and freedom been sucked from the very marrow of their life. Where along the line did blind pride in one’s country over ride the fact that our elected politicians are supposed to be the “servants of the people”, not a ruling class with power that is omnipotent. When did the definition of the word “patriot” become one that blindly obeys and supports their government no matter how wrong or corrupt that government may be?
Being a student of history I was drawn back to the very document that is the cornerstone of this country, the Declaration Of Independence. This document was not only our forefathers way of announcing their intention to become a sovereign nation but also laid out the case against England and more importantly, King George III. I found myself engrossed in the text as if reading it for the first time and found relevance in sections of it I had not seen before. Why did so much of this 220 year old document seem so important and pertinent to the very circumstances this country now faces? As I reread the declaration over and over certain sections began to stand out, begging for attention. The individual points laid out against the King began to take on more importance than ever before. I soon realized that this document could have very well been written today in an impeachment document for today’s version of “King George”.
The first passage that grabbed attention was this one:
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
It is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government. Those are powerful words and some might think they can only mean a violent revolution. Personally I think the founding fathers new full well that the replacement of a faulty government could come in many different ways, with or without violence. The more important concept these men decried here was the fact that governments must serve the safety and happiness of those who elect them and when in fact things have moved to far from this concept only the people have the right, nay the duty to put things back in order. But I can’t help but focus on this one part of the first sentence: “deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed”. Now our current “King George” might quote this very same line and interpret it to mean his duty is to our safety, no matter the consequences but I would defy any other person of an average intellect to come to the same conclusion.
The second passage that demanded attention was this:
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Now several words included in this short passage are not commonly used words in this era so a few definitions are in order:
- evinces: To show or demonstrate clearly; manifest: evince distaste by grimacing
- usurpations: a. The act of usurping, especially the wrongful seizure of royal sovereignty. b. A wrongful seizure or exercise of authority or privilege belonging to another; an encroachment
- Despotism: a. Rule by or as if by a despot; absolute power or authority. b. The actions of a despot; tyranny. c. A government or political system in which the ruler exercises absolute power
So let’s try to bring the language a little up to date, into something more readable today.
But when a long train of abuses and seizures of authority, pursuing a clear objective to attempt a centralized absolute power over the people, it is the people’s right, the people’s duty, to throw off such government and to provide a new system for their future security.
Now I can see a lot of Americans looking at that line and thinking it has been written by some subversive group that intends to overthrow everything the United States stands for when in fact these are words that brought this once great country into existence. Careful thought must be taken when looking at these words and their bearing on today’s situation. How much longer can we allow today’s government reduce our rights and centralize their power before we stop them?
Next we have the specific points laid out against King George III. I found some of these so relevant to today’s situation it almost seemed they had been written last week!
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
Our current King George has in fact made several attempts (along with some successes) to circumvent the proper establishment of Judges. His refusal to release just about any document from the white house on his nominations, invoking the old stand by, “security reasons”, clearly shows his attempt to infiltrate the court with conservative judges that just may turn the tide on several important issues towards the “Christian Philosophy” He truly believes “his personal word” should be good enough when in fact his logic in these appointments is about as transparent as glass. Furthermore his “henchmen” in Congress have consistently attacked the Supreme Court and their decisions in an attempt to discredit them and have even gone as far as to attempt to pass legislature that would supersede their authority.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
Although he hasn’t succeeded in this he has without doubt attempted to “plant” his cronies to positions on the Supreme Court as well as other courts, can anyone say Harriet Ellan Miers?
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.
Besides the obvious new offices of “Homeland Security”, the newly empowered TSA there have been the additional powers granted to the FBI, CIA and NSA. The recent reports of wiretapping American citizens, along with the help of the major telecommunications companies show this “Reign of Terror” growing day by day.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
Abu Grab, Guantanamo Bay, secret Prisons throughout the world, holding prisoners here and abroad without charges or access to attorneys. Reports of torture from a long line of victims around the world. Refusing to sign a law stopping torture by ANY organization within the government. Refusing to sign an international law holding ALL military personnel to the laws any civilized country would accept! Is this not rendering a military independent of civil law and moral obligations?
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation
Not once but TWICE he has done this. First with the Patriot Act (or as I like to call it, the UN Patriotic Act) and more recently with the Military Commissions Act of 2006 that has literally removed our right to habeas corpus. For those of you that don’t know what habeas corpus is, it is YOUR right to fight unlawful imprisonment. In other words you cannot be arrested on some trumped up charge and be held. It also gives you the right to petition the court to be released from custody if government (any) has no viable charges!
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us, For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States
OK, so we don’t have any evidence of anything like this happening WITHIN the US BUT, in this global economy “new world” is it not the same as what has happened with the Abu Grab and Guantanamo Bay atrocities? You can’t even begin to tell me no one above the poor slobs who were convicted knew what was happening! The soldiers who, more than likely, were following orders have become the scapegoats of those higher ranking officers who ordered these events. I include in this group (and hold fully responsible) our old friend Donald Rumsfeld, who I believe is the architect of 90% of what we have seen (and 200% of the things we haven’t seen).
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent
The current King George doesn’t exactly work like the 1776 version. Instead of blatantly adding taxes this one likes to cut programs that effect children, poor and middle class families, those trying to get an education and those most in need while giving those who least need them tax breaks so they can buy more yachts and multi-million dollar homes. Just to add insult to injury he even gives enormous tax breaks to oil companies and other corporations even though those corporations are enjoying record profits.
For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury
Again Guantanamo Bay, all those who have been “snatched” in the night and flown to some secret prison to endure god knows what torture. Can we honestly say we can be 100% sure this hasn’t happened to American citizens? How would we even know if it did? Every week a new charge comes to light that shocks any decent American, followed by denial after denial by the White House. Then a week or two later a meek acknowledgment that the stories are indeed true along with half hearted attempt at some excuse as to why they feel it’s “legal and needed”, usually trying to tie it to some load of crap about “protecting the people”!
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses
Do we really need to repeat what has been repeated here many many times?
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments
I don’t think I need to go any further than what the Patriot Act has done to our GUARANTEED rights under the Constitution of the United States but for those who seem to feel it’s OK to give up a right or two for your own protection I will once again bring up the Military Commissions Act. I’m just wondering how many of you would sit there doing nothing if you or a relative suddenly disappeared one night and was never heard from again! Don’t laugh, repealing habeas corpus opens the door to just such a scenario!
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. 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.
This one just grabbed me by the throat when I read it. I instantly thought of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Condoleezza Rice. They ALL have this indignant “Not us!” attitude that is either an out right lie or a “holier than thou” attitude. They dismiss anyone who dares question them as “unpatriotic” and a threat to national security. Cheney was quoted within as saying (in regards to wiretaps): “The president is focused on reestablishing power in the office that has been eroding since Watergate! Plain and simple, they dismiss ANY conflicting opinion as non American!
So my question has to be, why in God’s name are the American people not marching in the streets! Sure they voted in a Democrats to take over the House and Senate but we all know this president ignores everyone who isn’t in his inner circle. We know he will stop at NOTHING to get his people into key positions and he will do just about anything to make his rich corporate buddies pocketbooks fatter. Have the American people become so complacent they don’t even care if they are under the rule of a tyrant?
Our forefathers fought and died for the freedoms we are supposed to be enjoying. Countless people have given up their lives in war after war to protect these rights but now we have been attacked from with our own government and Americans sit there with a stupid look on their face. WHY! Why is this man still our president!
