U.S. BELONGS TO ALL CITIZENS- NOT JUST POLITICAL ACTIVISTS!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

YELLOW PHARISEES

by Steve Fair

    

    In 1782, American military troops were not being paid by the Continental Congress.  The Articles of Confederation (precursor to the Constitution) allowed Congress to set up an army in time of war, but no way to collect taxes.  They relied on individual states for revenue, who had no money, so troops went months with compensation.  Troop morale was understandably low.  In frustration Colonel Lewis Nicola wrote what has become known as the 'Newburgh' letter to General George Washington, who was camped at Newburgh, NY.  The first part of Nicola's letter described the hardship many of the army were facing.  The second part criticized the 'republic' form of government.  Nicola suggested General Washington declare himself King of the United States and force citizens to pay their fair share and fund the army.

     Washington's response to Nicola's suggestion was swift and direct.  He rejected the idea of a monarchy form of government and said Nicola's suggestion deeply troubled him.  Many colonial Americans already feared Washington would become like England's Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell ruled as 'Lord Protector' of England for years-essentially as a king.  Washington was sensitive to the Cromwell comparison and repudiated any suggestion he become a king of the new nation. 

     This past weekend, a reported 2,000 "No Kings" rallies were held across the United States.  This is the second time these rallies were held since President Trump took office for his second term.  Across the country, liberal Democratic elected officials addressed the attendees, criticizing Trump for illegal immigration enforcement, cuts to government spending, and the current government shutdown.  Three observations:

     First, the United States is not a monarchy.  No Kings is right about that.  America's form of government is a constitutional republic.  Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, and the government's powers are limited by the constitution. The system separates power into different branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one entity from becoming too powerful. 

     The No Kings organization states on their website: "This country does not belong to kings, dictators, or tyrants.  It belongs to We the People — the people who care, who show up, and who fight for dignity, a life we can afford, and real opportunity."   The second statement is where they get off the rails.

     Second, America belongs to all citizens, not just those who show up. Political activists, on both ends of the political spectrum, make the mistake of dismissing the views of taxpaying citizens who aren't as informed and engaged as they are.  These political Pharisees thump their chest and 'thank God they are not as these unconnected losers are- even these low information voters.'  They want their views and values to have a disproportionate influence on public policy. 

     They deny it but their actions advocate for America to be an oligarchy- a form of government where political power is held by a small group of people, rather than being distributed among the total population.  An oligarchy offers little opportunity for outsiders to join the ranks of the insiders.  Exclusivity, exclusion and cliquishness are practiced.  Instead of educating citizens, oligarchs spend their time, talent and treasure manipulating their fellow citizens.  They organize rallies and express selective outrage.  Their goal isn't better government- it is staying in power.

    Three, liberals continue to remain out of touch with the average American.  Their inability to recognize what is important to the average voter is why President Trump was elected in 2024.   Many people at the No Kings protests wore yellow, a color organizers said is to show unity, but the color yellow is most often associated with cowardness.  Fact is, the average American is color blind to politics.  If anything, they see red when it comes to politics.   The average citizen seeks policies that provide economic stability and security for their family.  Political stunts and tricks turn them off.  Participants in the No Kings rallies are the activist base of the Democratic Party, which has shown itself to be out of touch with the average American.  The 2026 midterm elections will tell the whether Americans are still with Trump or not?

     The use of executive orders (EOs) by presidents’ reeks of a monarchy.  EO use has increased in recent years.  When Biden opened the border with an EO, liberals kept quite because the action was consistent with their values.  When Trump used the same tool to close the border, he is a sovereign monarch.  Consistency in politics is lost.   Maybe all political activists are yellow Pharisees, just trying to remain relevant.