Our president recently suggested that the leaders of our government’s intelligence agencies return to school. May I suggest that our president and some members of Congress would benefit from refresher courses of the following items from our American Constitution.
The preamble calls for a union of our citizens, not the divisive words and actions that we experience today. We are also to establish justice and ensure domestic tranquility. Then, too, there is the desire to promote a general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty not only for ourselves, but also our posterity.
Unfortunately, I have deep concerns not only for the moment but also for our future.
To prohibit tyrannical control of our federal government our Constitution calls for a separation of powers. There is a system of checks and balances in place, yet I see at this time the legislative and judicial branches actually supporting or possibly designed to support the president rather than check and balance him. It remains to be seen if the recent realignment of the Congress will stabilize the original three-part system.
May I close with a brief reference to the First Amendment of our Constitution. One has to feel misgivings today at the attacks by the president on two of the four principle points – the freedom of speech and a free press. What I see is an abuse of what could be considered an everyday understanding of these crucial American freedoms. Going back to school may not be a bad idea.
CHARLIE STEPANEK
Concord