When Benjamin Franklin was asked what kind of country the United States of America would be directly after the Constitution was signed (the year was 1787, and the question was asked by a woman), he replied, "A republic. If you can keep it." In our examination of the word republic, we must be careful to understand that a republic is much different than a democracy, and I for one have been frustrated by the media presentation of what our country actually is for the last few months. We are not a democracy. A pure democracy, at its core, is a government in which the majority rules. A republic, by contrast, is a society in which even the minority is able to seize upon equal and just representation. This is seen most importantly in the electoral college, which allows even the smallest states to have equal representation in national elections.
The legend himself, B. Franklin
Let's explain it this way, for those of you who have been unfortunate enough to stumble upon the fallacious and propagated information dumps that come out of social media:
You're sitting in a room. A man stands at the front of the room with a picnic basket. He withdraws two containers from the basket: a jar of jam and a jar of peanut butter.
Unfortunately, you just happen to be deathly allergic to peanuts. As in, if you eat one, you will go into anaphylactic shock. To make matters much worse, the door is locked, and you have no medication or access to emergency services.
The man at the front of the room says, loudly, "Let us take a vote. Do you want peanut butter or jam for lunch?"
The majority of the room votes for peanut butter.
"We have established the law," the man replies gravely. "Peanut butter for lunch, no exceptions."
"But I'll die if I eat that," you reply.
"The majority has spoken," the man says.
Your situation is not looking so good. Your voice, although in the minority and extremely important, has been trampled on by majority rule. The results will be devastating, and could even result in death.
This is why majority rule is dangerous, and why a pure democracy is doomed to failure. Just because someone has a majority does not make them right, and it certainly does not give them the moral high ground. In many cases throughout history, "majorities" have caused massive destruction and death. Yeah, Hitler had the bigger army, but that didn't make him the better guy, did it?
Our republic as it exists, and as it was meant to exist by the Founding Fathers, is indelibly important to the function and preservation of a free society. It ensures that even the smallest group has a voice and a shot at liberty and representation.
It is this monumentally inspired idea that so many men and women have died to protect, and on this Veteran's Day, I hope you take a moment to thank a Veteran who has served in our great military to do their part to safeguard this incredible nation from enemies both domestic and abroad.
Veteran's Day was officially declared a holiday in 1938. Originally it began as something called 'Armistice Day' in 1919, to celebrate the end of World War I. In 1926, Congress decided to run with the observance, and it became the holiday we know it to be today in 1938. Since then, Veteran's Day is among the most important days of the year in America, as it reminds us of the real flesh-and-blood people who have fought and are fighting right now to protect our homes from tyrannical powers, the wickedness of terrorism, and the evil machinations of dynastic power players like North Korea and China.
Truly, my friends, we have no idea how blessed we are to be in America. We live in an era of unprecedented luxury and protection. Even so, Benjamin Franklin's words carry a tone of sullen foreboding. "A republic," he said, "if you can keep it." A republic requires much protection. Our soldiers protect us from enemies who prowl at our gates, and we as American citizens are tasked with our own responsibility, too: to uphold and protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our veterans, in their honor, dignity, and integrity, allow for us the physical cover to fight for liberty every day here on our home turf. Let us not forget the blood that has been shed for this privilege of civil discourse involvement.
From churches to mothers to farmers to secretaries; we as American citizens have been ordained to live in this country, at this time, to safeguard and protect the glorious flames of eternal hope and freedom, to stand tall and point proudly to our shining city on a hill, and to ensure the longevity and honor of all civil and religious liberties in the United States. We must do it for the sake of our children, for the future generations, for the millions who turn their faces to America and dream of escaping the despotic countries in which they suffer. For those who flee squalor and desolation for a shot at a better life, for a shot at worshiping God freely and without fear of persecution, and for a shot at individual success and enjoyment of life. It is our duty: as Americans, and especially for those of us who are Christians. No country on Earth so boldly and deeply embraces the idea of brotherly love like America. Emblazoned on the Statue of Liberty, the lovely lady declares with resonating enthusiasm:
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
For our freedoms, thank our veterans.
For our incredible quality of life, thank our veterans.
For our rich and diverse history, with all of the bad and the good that comes with it, thank our veterans.
For our very right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, thank our veterans.
And for all of this, lest we forget in our arrogance that we are but small men on a terrestrial ball, let us thank God for giving us our veterans and giving us numerous victories over evil.
Happy Veteran's Day.
Get out there and fight for liberty.
All images are royalty free and free for commercial use, no attribution required.
Veteran's Day: The Value and Honor of the American Sacrifice in our Republic