Thursday, August 11, 2016

Resistance

By Douglas V. Gibbs
Author, Speaker, Instructor, Radio Host

In the face of what some people believe is a coming authoritarian system arising in America, it is important that we know the tools we have available to us as Americans through our U.S. Constitution.  While there are those out there trying to convince us that we live in a democracy, we must remember that the United States is a republic. . . and for good reason.

At the same time, we must remember Otto Von Bismark's quote, "Politics is the art of the possible."

It is clear that dark days may lie ahead. . . especially if Hillary Clinton wins the presidency.  The leftists are completely invested in their liberal ideology.  The agenda has become a religion, and there is nothing that can convince them that their big government ideas are a danger to our way of life as Americans.  Not history, not evidence, not the truth.  And as their day of total control approaches, where they believe they can convert this country's political system into a one-party system, those who dare speak out against their liberal theocracy will be (and are) called out and punished for their heresy.

Darkness always reveals itself as an angel of light.  But, it is also always darkest before the dawn.

While many patriotic Americans fear we may have passed the point of no return, the reality is that the progressive left is not winning as we have been convinced to believe.  They have an incredible messaging strategy, a propaganda wing that be dishonest with you as the truth slaps you in the face, yet get you to believe the lie.  They did it during the McCarthy years, they did it during Vietnam, and they are doing it now.

Don't believe them.

Darkness can be scattered by a single spark.

I am an optimist.  I believe we can turn this around.  That does not mean it won't get a little rough in the meantime.  But, on the same token, I don't believe the only way to turn this all around is through a violent revolution.  The liberal left Democrats are currently conducting a non-violent Marxist Revolution (and perhaps a little violence through groups like Black Lives Matter), and all we need to do is realize that we are in a war, and treat it as such, by fighting fire with fire.  In other words, bolster the new media so that it may be a legitimate weapon against the mainstream media, and work through our local governments to upset and overturn the larger government - without necessarily taking their bait when it comes to kinetic confrontation.

The problem is that we have been convinced that the only way to fight back is through the vote, or taking their bait as they poke us in the chest daring us to react.  While I definitely encourage voting, and I don't encourage a violent response (If democrats would just quit shooting people, 90% of gun violence would go away), the way to make our voice heard is not only through election.  The United States is not a pure democracy.  Voting once a year, or once every couple years, is not the way to take back this country in totality.  As a republic, we have tools available to us we may use year-round.  However, we have not been educated on how to use these tools.  We don't understand these tools.  The Constitution has been changed from a contract, to a living-breathing document that is a pliable lump of clay in the hands of the judicial-critters.  The fact is, their interpretation is inaccurate.  To know how to take back this country and act in a manner that will move us forward, we must understand the original intent of the U.S. Constitution.

Elizabeth Powel was a great example of how not being able to vote, nor hold office, does not mean you can't be politically influential.  She knew how to keep the republic.

Elizabeth Powel asked Benjamin Franklin, "Sir, what have you given us? A monarchy, or a republic?" Franklin responded, "A republic, ma'am, if you can keep it."

Her question was quite an informed one.  She didn't ask "what kind of system did we get?"  She didn't ask, "A monarchy, democracy, oligarchy, republic, confederacy, communal system?"  She specifically knew what was going on in Independence Hall during the Summer of 1787.  "Monarchy, or a republic?"

Elizabeth was the wife of Samuel Powel, the mayor of Philadelphia.  The couple knew the movers and shakers of the era partly due to their business we would call today a 'bed and breakfast.'  She befriended these gentlemen, and Elizabeth was especially good friends with George Washington.  It was not uncommon to see Elizabeth and George strolling the streets of Philadelphia discussing politics.

It was Elizabeth Powel who convinced George to serve a second term, and it was she who suggested to him that rather than a royal-sounding title, "Mr. President" was appropriate.

Which brings us back to that conversation between Elizabeth Powel and Benjamin Franklin. He personalized his message to her.  "If you can keep it." How could she keep the republic? She couldn't even vote!

As did she, it is up to us to become more involved, to get to know these people, to stroll with them discussing the issues of the day, to be at city council meetings, to write our representatives at all levels of government, to remind them that that are our servants, and it is their job to do what is best for the country while also remaining within the authorities granted to them by governing documents like the U.S. Constitution, State Constitutions, or local ordinances.

On the federal front, I agree that Donald Trump may not be exactly what many of us were hoping for.   We said similar things about Mitt Romney and John McCain.  But, then again, since 1900, only two, maybe three, Presidents of the United States were well-versed in the original intent of the United States Constitution.  Calvin Coolidge, Ronald Reagan, and perhaps Warren Harding.

Remember what Otto Von Bismark said?

"Politics is the art of the possible."

You fight for everything, you negotiate from a position of strength demanding you get what you want, but you consider any move forward a victory.  Purity is nice, but sometimes a few baby steps forward are all we can manage.  There is still victory in that, as well.

Faced with bad candidates, a political establishment in both parties determined to destroy the nation as founded and bowing down to the international left, and an economy in shambles because of the liberal policies of tax and spend, it's easy to feel defeated. The fight to change the direction of our country is definitely not an easy task we have before us.  But, as I have said a number of times...

"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."

Education is the tool we wield to reestablish liberty.  If we have enough voices in the war who understand this is a war against a Marxist Revolution, we will change things.  Don't forget, only a third of the population in 1776 supported the concept of independence.

I have faith we can either turn this around, or at the very least navigate through the tough times and resurrect liberty when we get to the other side.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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