By Mike Aleman | FāVS News Columnist
In my recent columns for FāVS News, I have written from a Christian perspective, trying to skirt criticism of President Donald Trump except when the Christian viewpoint fits the situation — the Christian viewpoint as I believe Jesus intended, not one politicized to achieve selfish, despotic purposes.
Abuse of presidential power continues, growing ever more dangerous, adversely affecting the lives of many, and the very future of the United States. The days of “liberty and justice for all” are coming to a close.
A call to principled citizens
Unless principled and intelligent citizens, regardless of religious faith and perspective, regardless of political party, stand up now, the best of this country will be wiped away. Unless the courts and the Congress take action to uphold the laws of the land, which they have sworn to do, laws that have served us for over 200 years, our future is grim indeed.
“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country,” was written by Charles E. Weller, merely as an exercise for the typewriter in the early 1900s. It should become the rallying cry today of the common statesmen and stateswomen of the country, i.e. the common citizen.
In December of 1776, American statesman Thomas Paine wrote,
“These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value.”
Confronting tyranny today
If ever in the history of the United States a call to America’s people was necessary the time is now. Today. It is an immediate call for every citizen to speak out against the thieving of America by President Donald Trump and his hardened followers, who are not followers of the Constitution as it was intended. Christians, Jewish, Muslims and religiously non-affiliated citizens must now muster up the courage to speak out, to march on Washington, to flood government offices with millions of letters of protest calling them to take steps necessary to save this nation from becoming a military dictatorship, if indeed it is not too late.
The words of the Preamble of the Constitution illustrate who has the proper power set things right. They may be the most important words ever written for guaranteeing the rights of all men and women in this land.
“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Faith and justice intertwined
More now than at any other time since the Civil War, it is essential that we follow the precepts of Jesus in seeking justice by loving one another, by caring for the widow and the orphan, the poor and unhoused and the immigrant. To put it simply — by caring for all other citizens as we care for ourselves regardless of their political and social stances.
“Leviticus 10:34 reads, “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.”
If we are to continue as a good nation, we must not allow one president to dictate according to his personal fears, biases and preferences. President Donald Trump’s vision of America has little to do with “justice for all.” It has to do with privilege for those of which he approves, and he is willing to persecute and prosecute those who oppose him.
Fear as a weapon
He will continue to send armed troops into our cities rather than let civil authorities elected and chosen by the people of those cities to manage properly. Cleverly he creates fear then institutes actions to “protect” the people, when he is only solidifying his power. It’s a page out of Adolf Hitler’s book.
Unless we follow the precepts of Christ, the precepts of wise world leaders of history, we will become subject to collective and personal tyranny. We hold back because of the very fear President Trump is creating, fear of being abducted, imprisoned, losing our jobs, being unable to provide for our families.
The hopeful belief that things will correct themselves, that faithful and fair leaders will rise up and take care of things, is empty hope. Every one of us must peacefully and reasonably let our voices be heard. Every governor, senator, legislator and every newspaper in the land must, like disfavored night show talk hosts, even at the risk of being shut down, speak out. We must tighten the illegal wiggle-room now being foisted on us that limit our rights as citizens, that limit our “unalienable rights,” rights that cannot be taken away and governments are created to protect.
The power is with the people, all the people. If we are brave enough to wield it responsibly, we can wrest it peacefully from those who abuse it. Let the obvious be said that violence is not the answer. Shooting our opposition leads only to chaos and anarchy, for every one of us is opposed by someone else. Therefore, if we resort to armed resistance, no one is safe.
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News. FāVS News values diverse perspectives and thoughtful analysis on matters of faith and spirituality.
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