Who’s in charge? Let’s not be ignorant

With the recent shake-ups in the White House, it gives the average American reason to be concerned about the stability of the administration. Thus far, the Trump campaign and subsequent presidency has been fraught with more drama than a Telemundo soap opera. And there seems to be no end in sight…at least for the next three and a half years.

It is difficult to imagine a company or business, which, of course, Mr. Trump is the supposed genius at running, being managed as poorly as this White House. And leaves one with the stark reality that this is what happens when we move away from the pure Constitutional Republic form of government that our Founders intended. What is clear, is that the focus of government officials has shifted from the people’s business and welfare, to the spotlight for themselves.

Even a cursory look at the recent debacle of the entire Obamacare repeal and replace effort reveals that Congress is not so much about actual governance and law as it is about grandstanding and playing a part. Many times, to enrich or benefit the player either politically or monetarily. When a Senator cries for seven years about repealing the healthcare act, which has hamstrung our country economically and left so many without the means to afford insurance, and then reneges on his or her promises and stymies the chance to affect progress towards that goal, it speaks more loudly than all the speeches and appeals and soundbites ever could. (Looking at you, McCain) And the president, the leader of the party who currently presides over the White House, the House and the Senate, is so busy reveling in his victory (eight months ago!) that he simply dismisses this failure with the trite comment, “Meh, you can’t have everything.” To behave and profess so cavalierly a sentiment like this, tells the average American what many already know. Government has become nothing but a show. A reality show. From the White House, down to many local small-town mayors. The corruption of money and power has no resemblance to our American values and ideals. It is a travesty and a tragedy.

So, the question now is what do we, as concerned citizens and patriots do? What CAN we do? We go back to our roots. We return to the fundamentals. We look to the Founders and read their words and their follow their advice. The sad statistics are this: in 2011, ABC news asked 1000 people this simple question: “What is the supreme law of the land?” 70% did not know it was the Constitution. Further, 61% percent didn’t know that the length of a U.S. senator’s term is six years, 63 percent didn’t know the number of Supreme Court justices on the bench, and 86 percent didn’t know that 435 members fill the U.S. House of Representatives. Yet, 73% believe they know “some” or a “great deal” of the Constitution’s contents. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/tea-party-enthusiasm-surveys-find-ignorance-us-constitution/story?id=13206667

How do we, as a nation, fix this? First, don’t be THAT person. Don’t jump into the ignorance pool and float along thinking to somehow just soak up knowledge. Read and understand the Constitution. Read and understand the Declaration of Independence. Read and understand the Federalist Papers. We must educate ourselves and take control back from the career politicians who want to expand government and line their pockets with our hard-earned dollar. The power must be returned to the people and out of the hands of those who care little for the country when faced with their own career survival. If we are to stop being slaves to the corruption in Washington, we must rise and be brave enough to say, “Enough!” We shouldn’t ever have to look to the Capitol of this great country and ask, “Who’s in charge?” The answer should be clear and unmistakable. We, the People Are!