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by Dr. Roni Maddox
What’s wrong with the silent majority? They’re silent, and that’s a big problem. I’m deeply concerned about our country. When our founding fathers wrote the U.S. Constitution, they trumpeted a stern warning to the People. They formed a government where the responsibilities and freedoms of the People were elevated above the responsibilities and rights of the States and the federal government. But at the same time, they put on the shoulders of the People the charge to stay alert and watchful and hold the States and the federal government accountable for crossing the boundaries of personal freedoms and rights. As Thomas Jefferson put it, if any person in government attempts to take responsibilities, rights and freedoms from the People, then the People have the obligation to “bind him down by the chains of the Constitution.” The Constitution was written to keep government from getting too centralized and too big for its britches. When that government begins to step over the boundaries of the Constitution, the People are obligated to beat it back into submission. Only then can we be assured our government does not get out of control.
But what happens if the majority of the People grow silent and complacent and pretty much let the government do whatever it wants? Our Constitution will be ignored, our freedoms will be in jeopardy and we risk defaulting the control of our government into the hands of forces who care more about power than about the People. In the words of Edmund Burke, “Evil happens when good men do nothing.”
A few months back we all watched on TV as thousands of people protested how our government was handling the illegal immigration issues in our country. Regardless of what you think about the illegal immigration problem, one thing is certain: Illegal immigrants know how to hold a national protest. They might not be American citizens, but in that well-organized protest, they acted more like American citizens than most citizens I know. They weren’t silent and they certainly were willing to buck the system, pick up a sign and march. My goodness! Imagine what could be accomplished if the American People put half that much energy into petitioning our government when we disagree with what it’s doing.
Become part of the “vocal majority.” Write to me. Let your voice be heard! Do you believe the U.S. government has infringed on your responsibilities and freedoms? Then do your duty as an American citizen and say so!
About the author:
Dr. Roni Maddox resides in Georgia and daily wags a finger at newscasts. Please write to Dr. Roni C/O Syndicated Writers of America at P.O. Box 3429, Suwanee, Georgia 30024, or via email at roni.maddox@buystory.com.
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