Six things that trouble me and Five that assure me as an American Democrat

The Republican Party has even effectively used God to denigrate those who do not follow their precepts; making God, the creator of the universe, nothing more than a political supporter of the Republican Party. It will take some time to restore the damage caused by the Republican Party in their reckless quest for power and control of America. The Republican Party, led by the President, tried to keep us afraid. They failed.

4. President Bush has sold the lie that we are free because we are strong. He is wrong. Greater freedom will manifest greater strength. We are strong because we are free! Our forefathers, the authors of our precious Constitution, knew the power of a free person, a free mind and a free country. I am saddened in the knowledge that most of America may agree with the President that we are too free. A terrible consequence of the President Bush leadership has been the popular notion that liberty and freedom can and should be pared in America for security sake. I pray America will not step into the "security" and "might makes right" mental trap. It is our freedom which secures us. There is no greater security.

5. I am dismayed by the ease in which Americans dismiss the validity and authority of our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. This disregard is partially responsible for diminishment and partial dissolution of our personal rights and liberties under the Republican controlled Government between 2000 and 2007, via the "Patriot Act", the "Detainee Bill" and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security. (My goodness: When did we start calling America the "homeland"? That is what the Nazis called Germany).
The capitulation of the Democratic representatives in Congress and throughout State governments to the "McCarthy" like tactics of the Republicans, during that time, was very unfortunate and did not serve the best interest of the United States relative to the strength of our system of government which, until recently, was considered a cornerstone of liberty, personal rights and freedom throughout the
world.

6. I am heartbroken over the profound change in what was once considered resolute characteristics of American nature. Although having struggled through two World Wars, a Korean conflict, Vietnam and several minor conflicts without resorting to the barbarian practice of torture, our President now has announced to the world that the United States will now torture those who fall into our custody.
Today, because of President Bush, our enemies are validated and within their own rights to do the same to our American soldiers. We are becoming like our enemy in order to defeat him. Where is the victory in this path? America is greater than this!

Five Things which assure me:
1. I find comfort and reassurance in the fact that our American Democracy has a historical resilience against occasional radical adherence, by our government, to social and political trends which tend to diminish the rights and liberties of it's citizens. Those who practice "McCarthyism like" behavior among us usually last for a season and are eventually realized and vanquished from the pulpits given to them by the very democratic system they sought to defile. They are always overcome by sound reason of citizens and the resilience of the democratic spirit.

2. America is scarred with the history of those who would undermine our free society. The strength and purity of liberty itself either assimilates them or leaves them in the road of depravation they sought to bring to the rest of us. The freedom our constitution calls "inalienable" is the insult and a barrier to those who seek dominance and power over the citizens of our great Democratic experiment. Freedom sends them running even as an insect runs when exposed to light. The scars caused by those seeking freedom's demise were once the wounds that taught us wisdom and patience in the face of our adversaries. Resolve is born this way. Today America is more resolve than it was yesterday. The Republican leadership has wounded our freedom, but America is overcoming and this long suffering has taught us well. Our sense of urgency to defend Liberty is great. Republican domination has seemingly awaken us. Perhaps we will one day thank them.

3. I can get in my car in North Carolina and head West to California and along the way, chances are, nobody will ask where I am going, or why I am going there. Wow. Only in America. Most countries of the world reserve the right to freedom of movement to the government only and those who have the permission of the government. I have seen this in so many instances in my travels throughout the world. I love my country for what it is, a Bastian of hope to the rest of the world longing to be free. As I have traveled in the world, I have often shared Americas virtues with those less fortunate who still, after 260 years, dream of living free as Americans live. I have told them that America really is the place they have heard about, where the streets are paved with something even more valuable than gold; Liberty and Freedom!

4. I am assured by my own and many other Democrat's resolve to continue to fight the good fight of faith in what is right. We know the consequences of allowing the Constitution and Bill of Rights to be relegated to "reference documents" with no real authority. This is exactly where Russia is this day. A constitutional government ruled by one man who determines the utility of a constitution which was intended to secure the liberty of the Russian people. Clearly, President Bush and Vice President Cheney tried and failed to do the same. In November 2006 America was the clear victor. All of us, regardless of political affiliation. In 2008 America will further ensure that margin of safety against tyranny.

5. I am grateful that America is so very large in it's scope and breath. The diversity we are made of is what makes us unique in the world. In fact, the whole world lives here and we call ourselves Americans, from here or there. The richness of having all the culture of the world here, makes us the perfect example to the world that hope and peace can reign among very different peoples.

That we live together in peace and harmony is a testimony to democracy and freedom. Our differences, however obvious, always put behind us as we share a place under the same flag we all call our own, and a great country we all call our home. I really love this place. I really do.