I watch with great trepidation as our country struggles to fulfill the original premise of our founding fathers. Our constitution states, “No person shall be denied the equal protection of the law nor be subjected to segregation or discrimination in the exercise or enjoyment of his or her civil or political rights because of religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex or physical or mental disability.” Abraham Lincoln said in his speech in an unsuccessful bid to become a US Senator in l858 “a house divided against itself cannot stand”. Lincoln’s outlined the issues around the Dred Scott Supreme Court decision to not grant freedom to Scott even though he lived in a free state. I feel pretty certain that Abe is rolling over in his grave at the behavior of his Republican Party.
On the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King most of our country celebrate his legacy and learn from his non violent efforts to bring Lincoln’s dream finally to reality. In the same week we indicted a former President with likely more legal challenges to follow—justice for all. On Thursday the Tennessee legislature expelled two Black Representative for their participation with a group of Students protesting for some sanity in assault style weapon regulation. It seems odd that the third House member, a white woman retained her seat by a narrow margin. We see it every day in the vitriol from the right about anyone with an alternative life style and subtlety or blatantly about the color of a person’s skin. The list goes on as evidenced each day by the Governor of Florida who denies black history and would like to end public education. And the ever ridiculous and offensive MTG who advocates a two country system.
I do hold out hope for our country. Wisconsin elected a “liberal Supreme Court Justice” in convincing fashion. This one election could change the gerrymandered stranglehold of the Republican Party for the past ten years. I support the voting process in our country and the “house rules” should be encouraging everyone to vote. Lincoln words are timeless, “as I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference is no democracy.”
We have a ways to go to meet Abe’s test.
I will conclude with Lincoln’s words, “Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” “No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.” I can see the wisdom and portent of his beliefs in today’s political environment. Making decisions to protect power and creating alternative facts are accepted practice.
Karen reminds me each year that Easter is the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. If the full Moon falls on a Sunday then Easter is the next Sunday. Enjoy the week end and I am celebrating our freedom to worship as we choose.
Mike