Once Upon A Time . . .
By William Bailey (01/30/03)
Many of the tales and stories that have delighted children for ages started with, "Once upon a time". These works of fiction were, quite frequently, shared by parents with their children at bedtime. And, most of the time, a sense and feeling of well-being resulted. Well . . . I would like to borrow this famous introductory phrase from the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson for just a little while.
"Once upon a time", a small group of people seeking religious freedom and freedom from the rule of a tyrannical monarch, set sail to come to a place where they could establish a better life. These people have, throughout history, been referred to as the "pilgrims".
However, even the physical separation from the tyrant did not stop his tyrannical acts. So, they set about to, once and for all, free themselves from the bonds of monarchy and to establish, once and for all, a land wherein freedom and liberty abounded. (It is always enlightening to read the specific charges against the King of England, George III, as set out in a "Bill of Particulars" which we know as "The Declaration of Independence"). And, as history records and reports, this small group of people, in order to achieve their goal, took on the armies and navies of (at that time) the most powerful country in the world. It was called, the "American Revolution". And, guess what . . . they won. They won the first major confrontation to preserve and protect freedom and liberty, not only for themselves but for all mankind for all time.
At the end of this "Bill of Particulars" (The Declaration of Independence), this brave group spoke with one loud, clear voice . . . "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor". "Lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" . . . it doesn't get much more serious than that. Wonder how many today would make the same serious pledge and commitment . . . not just "lip service", but say it and mean it ?
As history further records, following the American Revolution, these brave patriots came together to become the Founders of A Nation and they framed and wrote the greatest government-forming document ever conceived and/or written by man. Yes, the Constitution of the United States. Which, just by way of reminder, begins with these words, "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 . . . ".
"Once upon a time", personal responsibility and commitment brought us the blessings of liberty and freedom which we have enjoyed during the intervening time. But, as was the case with the "fairy tales" of old, there were, quite often, monsters and demons and dragons that had to be dealt with. And . . . they were dealt with, so that the other frequent phrase from the "fairy tales" could be made whole, "and, they lived happily ever after".
"Once upon a time", we fought two big wars, a cold war, and assorted "police actions" to further preserve and protect the liberties and freedoms given to us by our brave forefathers and the founders of this great Nation. Many, in securing and maintaining those liberties and freedoms having given "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor".
Well . . . something seems to have happened between the "Once upon a time" and the "they lived happily ever after". Into this non-fiction tale there have crept those who would diminish and destroy our revered Constitution. They have been pretty successful in creating acceptance that "big-government" is best (contrary to what's expressed in the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution). They've done a pretty good job of obliterating personal responsibility and creating the misnomer that government is there to take care of us. They seem to have forgotten who government really is . . . "We the People". And, they have gone about creating a government of power whose power is really derived from the governed.
Well . . . it seems to me that it's time for the "knight on the white horse" to come riding into this situation. It's time to return to what made us great . . . it's time "to dance with the one who ‘brung' us" . . . and, that "white knight" is called, "We the People". For, we are the ONLY ones who can bring us back to the reality of what is required to keep those freedoms and liberties we so deeply cherish and to honor those who have gone before in doing likewise. After all . . . it is OUR government.
"Once upon a time", in a place called the United States of America, the people decided to return to, and follow, the footsteps of their forefathers, to guard, preserve and protect liberty and freedom. And having done so, "they lived happily ever after".
Let's hope this is how the story ends !
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