17 October 2024

Fellow Citizen,

They say recorded human History started about sixty-six hundred years ago. What did they record? As you would think, the doings of their days. And there’s been a lot of “doings” going on ever since. Look around, it never stops.

Amongst all those years, governing Power has been and remains the problem with which every age contends. Never more so than now, as the nation will prosper or expire depending upon our taking action.

Nearing two hundred and fifty years ago, our forebearers were forced to address this problem. From governing themselves, the abuse of Power by Great Britain afflicted them; trying to enforce decisions upon them that were not their own. Like my walking into your home, telling you how to arrange the furniture, handing you bills to pay, and giving you no choice. The result is well known.

Their answer, writing down their thoughts, ideally in the Declaration, and practically in the Constitution, was that in essence, we govern ourselves.  Which by and large we do.  That life itself thrives when it is the most true that Individual Responsibility is at Liberty. Thus limited responsibility for the Power required of governing and for politics.  A conclusion drawn from their own experience and the sixty-three hundred fifty years of “doings” having then been going on.

As political philosophy and as successfully practiced, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States are unparalleled by any other through all of human History. And yet, the abuse of Power afflicts us.

Thomas Jefferson expressed exactly, ”Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” (Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785).  As noted of this modern age of ours:  Power, by politics, poisons all subjects.  Nearly forty trillion dollars of debt, more citizens burdened than benefitting, the concentrations of wealth, property, and influence; all are the fruit of Power abused.  It is Lord Acton’s maxim made flesh, corruption in process and result. 

The means of that Power are in the hands of a government not capable of reforming itself because it has already broken the bounds of the Constitution.  History makes painfully clear that those in Power rarely let it go peacefully and quietly. However, the amendment process provides a way.

It was the turn of our ancestors to confront the problem of Power in 1776 by establishing our republic, and to contain Power through the Constitution in 1787.  Now, per Jefferson, that government having been “perverted”, the problem of Power in government can only be addressed by us.  The proposed amendment seeks to restore limits on government, enforce responsibility in public service, and let citizens reclaim the opportunity to flourish by their own efforts.

Presumably the conversation on this proposal will be ongoing.  And as we hear from you, the additional information will be considered, replied to, and commented upon.

Citizen, at heart, everything in life falls to decisions you and I must make. I ask you to consider this, make a decision, and be for the 28th Amendment.

With my best regards and thanks,

Allen C. Harlan
Campaign for the 28th Amendment

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