Are we in danger of
losing our American rights? Kittitas County Republicans agreed with Sarah Palin
when she said, “Yep, you betcha!” One hundred percent of Kittitas County
Republicans who responded to an informal, non-random poll believed not only are
we in danger of losing our rights, we already have lost many, and many more are
threatened.
And these conservative Republicans were not at all hesitant to
describe what they believe must be done in the next two years to reverse the
trend and even reclaim our heritage.
Lost American
Rights
Fifty-five percent of respondents believed we lost our right of
choice, especially regarding aspects of health care, with the passage of the
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 2010 AKA ObamaCare. Specifically
they believed we have lost the right to choose health care providers, health
care plans and even to choose whether or not we want health care insurance.
Because of this mandate one respondent generalized we have lost our right “not
to participate in commerce”. More than 25% of respondents believed we have lost
representation in Congress because elected officials more often than not forget
our republic is a government of, by and for the people.
Others believed, in
their own words, we have lost the “right to prosperwithout penalty”, the “right
to dignity and privacy”, the “right to free speech”, the “right to try and fail
or succeed” and the “right to be left alone”. And, not surprisingly,
respondents believed we have lost our “right to freedom of religion” as
evidenced by the banning of prayer in classrooms and other public places. Still
others believed we have lost our “right to property” and the “right not to be
taxed to death”.
In addition to being asked what rights have we lost
respondents were asked to list rights they believe are in danger of being
lost.
American Rights in Danger of Being Lost
Seventy-three percent
of respondents listed the “right to keep and bear arms” on the danger list. As
a result of the Executive Branch usurping the power of the Legislative Branch
others felt the “balance of power” concept was threatened. Respondents also
believed the right “to freedom of speech”, “to freedom of religion”, “to freedom
of assembly” and for “protection against illegal search and seizure” were in
danger. The right of “an unborn child to be raised by loving adults” and the
right “to be free from government intrusion from cradle to grave” also were
listed as being in danger.
Respondents were then asked what must be done in
the next two years to reclaim lost American rights
and/or to prevent
additional losses of American rights.
Recommended Actions to Reclaim our
American Rights
Respondents listed many strategies and actions they
believed will reclaim losses and/or prevent future losses of our American
rights. Because their suggested actions vary across the spectrum they are
described in their own words to maintain the integrity of their
responses.
Many responses were brief and to the point such as “Keep
Republicans in Congress”, “Elect Republicans”, “Vote for Tea Party Candidates”,
“Elect more Conservatives” and “Elect Republicans for Congress and a Republican
President”. Other suggestions included “Ensure only laws are passed that are
based on the Constitution”, “Adhere to the Constitution and enforce it”, and to
do this Americans “must stay connected with their legislators”, “participate in
judicial elections”, and “select good candidates from the ground up at city,
county and state levels”. Still others suggested “Republicans must stand firm”,
must “hold constitutional conventions”, limit entitlements”, “defund government
50%”, “reduce number of government employees by 50%”, “limit entitlements” and
“return to a country where citizens are responsible for their actions”. And
finally “limit the scope of courts to constitutional issues”, “limit the
legislative branch to enacting laws based on the Constitution”, “limit
lobbyists” and “limit, modify, or repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act”.
Summary
All Kittitas County Republican respondents to an
informal, non-random poll believed citizens have lost and are in danger of
losing even more American rights. Not surprisingly the rights they believed
citizens have lost or are in danger of losing could be categorized as those held
by conservatives, constitutional conservatives, libertarians or Tea Party
adherents. And there was a clear recognition that individuals must “get
involved” at all levels not only to create an atmosphere for change, but to
participate in the actual events resulting in the desired changes. Respondents
believed change requires more than eloquence, hope and wishful thinking. It
requires another conservative value; i.e., work!
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