Losing Freedom
As I watch what is happening in the world around me lately, I am growing more and more concerned for the protection of the basic civil rights protected by the constitution. I am not a Republican or Democrat, I don’t fully agree with either party, and often strongly disagree with both. Omar and I both are free from party affiliation and try to vote based on issues and candidates.
As our new president took office, I didn’t vote for him, but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and see what he would do. I thought he had some good ideas about things, like governmental transparency, and I was excited to see that happen. While I disagreed in other areas, I didn’t think too much harm could be done.
Now as I read the news each night, I am more and more awe-struck at the freedoms being taken from the American people. It was one thing when the Patriot Act started invading privacy and listening in on folks. It’s quite another thing to try and silence and black-list dissenting voices. The White House war with Fox News (which for full disclosure is not where I usually go for news even) shocks and horrifies me. The Pay Czar cutting pay in private companies scares me. Now the White House wants to take down the Chamber of Commerce for disagreeing about health care reform. Every day it seems like there is more news about how freedoms I could never have imagined being threatened in the United States are now being threatened.
I disagree with lots of laws and policies, but I know that even if they are enacted they can be changed. But I am so afraid that we are quietly sitting by while the constitution is eroded, and I don’t see any easy way to regain lost freedoms.
Then today when I went to LDS.org I found a speech by Dallin H. Oaks about how our religious freedoms are threatened. I loved what he had to say, and think everyone should read it.
I don’t know what the answer is. But I know we the people have got to something, now. Any ideas?
Boy am I hot today! It’s bad enough that’s it’s over the 100 degree mark with the normal Northern California humidity. It’s bad enough we forgot to get the window fans out and we don’t have air conditioning. It’s bad enough I’m tying this with my laptop on my lap, cooking my legs. All of that heat would have been enough. But no, there’s more…
