Case for the 28th Amendment

Fellow Citizen,

They say recorded human History started about sixty six hundred years ago. What did they record? As you would think, what they’d been up to. And there’s been a lot of “up to” going on over all those years. Look around, it never stops.

Amongst all those things, Power (governing and political, not personal), has been and remains the problem with which all ages deal. Never more so than now.

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, is in essence that, 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 Power required of governing and for politics.  A conclusion drawn from their own experience and the then sixty three hundred fifty years of “up to” having then been going on. 

As political documents, as political philosophy, the Declaration of Indepence and the Constitution of the United States are unparalleled by any other through all of human History; truth borne out in this nation’s 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...”  As noted in this modern age of ours:  Politics poisoning all subjects, nearly 40 trillion dollars of debt, more of the population burdened than benefitting, the concentrations of wealth, property, and influence are all the fruit of Power abused. Further, as recent events make clear, our government is not capable of reforming itself.  The latest change in administrations makes clear, again, that re-arranging deckchairs doesn't save the sinking ship.

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, having been "perverted", the problem of Power in government can only be addressed by us.  That's what this proposed amendment seeks to do:  Restore the limits on the government's duties, and responsibility on those in government office and service. 

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

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

With my best regards and thanks.

Allen C. Harlan

Campaign for the 28th Amendment