Republic and Liberty
Our republic and liberty are intertwined.
Liberty is the foundation of our Constitution. Preserving the rights of Americans to live lives “free” from the threat they could be jailed for speaking out. Where the press is free to assemble and report derogatory information about government officials, even if that displeases the officials. Where Americans are free to worship in a manner of their choosing, even when others disagree with their beliefs. Where we are committed to the right of all Americans of age to vote, and we are committed to accepting the results of the ballots and transitioning power peacefully.
Those who would have the privilege to take an oath to the Constitution are held to a high standard. Yes, they have a responsibility to act in accordance with the Constitution for the benefit of the nation and not their personal agenda. They also have a responsibility to protect the right of liberty of all Americans, even when they disagree with their statements, their derogatory newspaper articles, or their voting ballots. Serving the nation is not for personal gain. Serving the nation is a privilege.
This is not a new concept.
In the 1787 Federalist Paper No. 10, future President James Madison wrote of factions in America. These factions were different groups of people who were passionate about one topic or another. Madison cautioned about factions who had beliefs not shared by others, who might consider violating others’ personal liberty by removing rights they found objectionable.
At the same time, Madison cautioned that we could not eliminate factions without eliminating individual liberty:
Liberty is to faction what air is to fire, an aliment without which it instantly expires. But it could not be less folly to abolish liberty, which is essential to political life, because it nourishes faction, than it would be to wish the annihilation of air, which is essential to animal life, because it imparts to fire its destructive agency.
Liberty enables factions to survive. But removing liberty violates a self-evident truth that we are endowed by our Creator with the right to liberty. It is not a right given by the government of the people. As Americans, we believe it is a right given by our Creator.
What does our republic have to do with individual liberty? Our republic requires liberty and preserves liberty. A large faction, even a majority, cannot take away someone else’s liberty, even if they strongly disagree with that person’s views.
Let’s consider an example.
Say there’s a faction of Americans who consider attempting to revise the First Amendment to specifically no longer allow “Hate Speech”.
But when you really get into it, you need to consider—what is hate speech?
Was the Westboro Baptist Church protesting at funerals, holding signs that said "God hates (derogatory term for LGTBQ individuals)" and "Thank God for dead soldiers" at the 2006 funeral of US Marine Matthew Snyder hate speech? I personally have strong feelings about the events led by the Westboro Baptist Church. The US Supreme Court weighed in and said it was permissible as free speech.
Should a faction of passionate Americans, even a strong majority, have the power to remove another faction’s personal liberty when they oppose the other’s views? Would you prefer a faction of Americans to be able to remove one of your rights of liberty? Would I prefer that of mine? I believe the answer to be “no.”
It is a high bar for a faction of our United States to amend the Constitution. Even if that faction “means well” and it was an issue with which most Americans might seemingly agree.
But it is possible.
America has demonstrated we are committed to expanding the rights of liberty. When something really is for the greater good, our divided factions are able to unite and amend our documents. Freeing slaves. Voting rights for all men, no matter their race. Voting rights for women. Voting rights for all citizens over 18. Important matters for the good of the entire country, not just a faction of Americans.
Our republic does make changing our government difficult. Because liberty is a right of all Americans and no faction should be able to remove another’s liberty.
Those who would swear their oath to the Constitution are duty-bound to ensure this liberty of Americans, even if they disagree with them.
May God bless the United States of America.
