By Dick Kazan (posted with permission)
http://saneramblings.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=193&sid=f5d8664d946d35d463141b786852e01eAmerica has often fallen far short of its ideals, having committed numerous atrocities, particularly in its brutal treatment of its minorities and women and in its support of totalitarian regimes.
But America has also been the envy of the world as people with little education or money arrived and found freedom and opportunity. They prospered and built wonderful lives for themselves and most of them took pride in being called "an American."
And unlike many of the lands they had left, American political leaders used restraint and prudent exercise of power.
Once upon a time in America, George Washington refused additional powers offered him and he left office by his choice after two terms.
Once upon a time in America, during the extreme crisis of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln could have claimed extraordinary powers but out of respect for the Constitution and the nation he was trying to save, largely chose not to do so.
When once upon a time in America in the 1960's and 70's, as the U.S. sacrificed thousands of its soldiers to ravage Vietnam and then Laos and Cambodia, Americans by the millions took to the streets in protest. They wrote letters to Congress and to the President, who at first didn't listen and they wrote letters to their newspapers calling for an end to the war.
Their voices were so loud and continuous, that Congress finally acted and cut-off the war's funding, bringing it to a conclusion in 1975.
Once upon a time in America a President tried to fix the presidential election. In response to the Watergate scandal, Americans raised their voices and Congress acted to impeach the President and prepared to conduct his trial. To avoid an impeachment and trial, this President in 1974 chose to resign in disgrace.
Once upon a time in America in the 1990's, a President lied under oath about his extra-marital affair, and Congress impeached him. Although they did not convict him. it showed they took the rule of law seriously, for no-one was above the law, not even a President.
In America, "with justice for all" meant everyone was equal under the law and president or pauper, each would receive a fair trial.
Once upon a time in America, the Constitution was a revered document, and the supreme law of our land. It served as a model to the world and some of its provisions have been copied by many nations. Adopted on September 17, 1787 many people maintain it is history's oldest democratic constitution.
This Constitution contains no provisions to allow a President to suspend any part of it for it protects the people from government excesses and threats to their liberty. It cannot be suspened even if a President declares a "war on terror."
Nor is there a provision declaring a President "the decider." In the Constitution, the people are the deciders and the government is answerable to them.
Once upon a time in America, "Support our Troops" didn't mean to place them in harms way by deceiving the American people and to keep them in harm's way rather than acknowledge a colossal mistake. This happened in Vietnam and one would have hoped that lesson was learned and that it would never have happened again.
Once upon a time in America, during wartime when a President would term U.S. soldiers killed or severely wounded, "heroes," it would have been considered a disgrace to sneak them back home and forbid the media from photographing them.
Once upon a time in America, a President didn't allow corporations to make enormous wartime profits off the blood of others. Profiteering was a prosecutable offense, not a financial windfall.
Once upon a time, "God Bless America" was not a battle cry but a statement of pride Americans held in their nation.
These are but a few indications of how far America has fallen since 9/11, just 6-years-ago. But there is good news. We can honor the Constitution created by our forefathers and we can learn from the Vietnam War protests and take to the streets and to the power of the pen again.
There is no substitute for making a cause visible and when large numbers of people didn't act, I did, as I hold very public candlelight vigils. You can act as well for no-one is stopping you. Listen to that voice from your inner-being, the one that compels you to care for mankind and to act with love and compassion for others. Let it guide you.
Once upon a time in America, compassionate people took action. Whether it was for civil rights, womens' rights, workers' rights or the rights of other oppressed peoples, or to end wars and save lives. It is what helped to make this nation great.
http://saneramblings.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=193&sid=f5d8664d946d35d463141b786852e01e Dick