But when a long
train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a
design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their
duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future
security.
Those words from the
Declaration of Independence are not an incitement to succeeding generations
toward violence in change of government.
Those words helped steer
the design of the Constitution.
Article I of the
Constitution provides each change in Congress (currently number 119th) much
legislative authority to, in effect, change government by proposing bills
which, being voted and subsequently signed by President, then change, by small
or large impact, national governance.
Members of the House of
Representatives serve a two-year term, providing for relatively immediate
change by will of the voters, senators a six-year term, again by voters, but provide
stability and deliberation before drastic governmental change.
The President is elected
to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed”. This executive will serve
a four-year term followed by a second four-year term if properly elected. The
election of a President is also an aspect of a “change in government”.
And the Supreme Court ,
the least change in government as they “shall hold their Offices during good
Behaviour” (it does not say “lifetime”). The Supreme Court helps anchor
government so that it may be predictable rather than abrupt and unwieldy.
Provided they actually and faithfully abide by “good Behaviour”.
Yet another element of designed
change of government embedded in the Constitution is the amendment procedure.
Although I acknowledge that ratifying an amendment among fifty states is a bit
more cumbersome than a few thirteen, fifteen, or twenty states.
My point is that the
Constitution was designed for a continual and incremental change in government
without violence.
I believe that the
Constitution, when faithfully implemented, is the best form of provision of government
available in history.
But the buck stops with
the voting public.
Not with any elected
official.
The burden of good
Constitutional governance rests with the voter.
Not with any appointed Justice.
The elected official is
in office because we gave them our consent to govern.
The voting public cannot abdicate
our responsibility to become accurately informed of the issues, the candidates,
and to actually cast a ballot.
Our Constitutional
government is properly designed.
It is our voting behavior
that directs the changes.
Like it or not, we, the
voting public, own the government we have.
Note of clarification…the
Second Continental Congress took the extreme action of separation from Great
Britain, not because the colonists were inconvenienced by King George III. They
did so because they had been subjected to absolute Despotism.
