Yesterday, as I was washing dishes, and reflecting on the latest events in the news. I was reminded of what Benjamin Franklin said about our democracy: “You have a republic if you can keep it.” He was referring to the disputatious nature of the delegates and their reasons for not signing the Constitution of the United States, and the fact that even he had some doubts about it but had convinced those who were opposed to sign it, saying that he could not say that there was a better.

Hence, the founders, after contentious disputation and much compromise, in 1787, together agreed upon a group of rules which became, and are, the framework or living armature on which our lawful personal and political actions are shaped. That group of rules, the Constitution of the United States, was created to enable the belief that we the people are the shapers of our destiny, always within its guiding framework, the humanitarian structure that gives us guidance to do and act for our mutual benefit. It is not perfect, and still subject to modification through the amendments but, as Franklin said, then, and still valid now,” he could not say there is a better. Without it, there would be no harmony or consensus of purpose, but individuals, every man for himself, working only for personal gain and power, against the general good.

Such is the case with our current president. He has purposely broken that cardinal rule which is to act lawfully within that structure, for the benefit of us all, in favor of enriching himself and the least worthy at the expense of us all. He has resorted back to that “every man for himself” philosophy. He is striving to make that the ruling philosophy, with him at the top, taking everything for himself.

It, therefore, is up to us, “we the people,” to stop him in his tracks, put him in his place, if not as a responsible defender of our freedoms, and the free world, at least as the exposed and convicted criminal that he is. We must defend our democracy, against all tyrants, if we wish to keep it!

Detlef Wieck

San Juan Island