Saving our Constitution - and our country  

Things are certainly not going as our forefathers would have wished, even though they likely envisioned some of the problems that we are now facing, human nature being what it is.

Following are my personal thoughts on how we have gone astray as a democratically run country, and what needs to be done to correct our course. I would be completely in support if this can be accomplished through amendments as provided in Article V of the Constitution, without risking a complete rewrite through a Constitutional Convention.

I feel that it is not our present Constitution that is at fault, but the fact that it is not being adhered to, nor has it been for a very long time, almost since its inception.

v Our government of, by and for the people has lost control of the elected officials whom they have “supposedly” elected by vote of the “people.” We have even lost faith in the validity of our election process. Misdirection and corruption has rampantly inserted itself into our entire governmental system.

v At the federal level we have lost the checks and balances designed to provide a balance of power by the three branches: legislative, executive and judicial. Due to negligence on the part of the legislative branch, more and more authority has been assumed by the executive branch. This has led to a federal government far over-reaching states’ rights and sovereignty. It also diminishes individual freedoms and private property rights.

v Our banking system and wealth management has been corrupted with the 1913 establishment of the Federal Reserve system, placing monetary and economic control in the hands of a few individuals; and the 1999 repeal of the Glass-Steagall law enabling banks to speculate on investments and manipulate the market with no accountability. Furthermore our free enterprise system has been overcome by out-of-control corporatism, thus destroying the middle class and producing a predominately government-dependent population.

v A bureaucracy has been formed reporting basically to the president with little or no congressional oversight. An abundance of departments, councils and federal agencies have been developed which are allowed to establish rules, regulations and restrictions that assume the power and authority of “law,” and are being administered throughout all levels of government.

v The judiciary and legal system rules in favor of these administrative edicts treating them as official “law” and even occasionally indulging in law-making itself. Legal justice for citizens has become cost prohibitive allowing decisions to be made in favor of highly financed special-interest groups.

v Government at all levels is increasingly top down, even from the United Nations, rather than upwards from the people through the representatives whom they have put in place and are supporting with ever increasing taxes. Public input on issues is being ignored. The voice of the people is not being heard or acted upon by a government no longer of, by or for the people.

v The education system has become federalized and redirected from preparation of youth for productive, self-supporting lives into preparation for a socialized lifestyle provided for by a government which is assuming control over both production and wealth distribution.

v Science and scientific process have been bastardized, politicized, and basically manipulated to support government control over the environment, health and all human life.

v Human values and virtues are being destroyed as greed and selfish interests take over all-ruling government. The preponderance of good over evil, right over wrong, and truth over lies is being lost. If this spreads throughout human populations globally this situation may become basically irreversible destroying quality of life for all.

Saving our American Constitution by restoring its use and effectiveness may be the only chance we have as a nation and possibly for much of the world.

Due to a corrupt United Nations, we face the threat of falling under total global control of highly unscrupulous forces. America can still lead the way if we succeed in strengthening and preserving our form of government designed to assure happiness and security for individuals as well as entire populations.

Ryan is a resident of Bigfork.