Issues of the day, and how our governments and leaders respond, say a lot about what we really believe, how we treat people, and how much we really adhere to our Constitution and laws.
Issues
January 6, 2021
The actions of January 6 were a betrayal of the country. All those responsible should be held responsible--tried in court, and where necessary, barred from public service.
The inability of our justice system to bring all those responsible to trial for their actions--inciting violence, systematically pursuing lawsuits without merit, and seeking corruptly to change votes and election results--was a fundamental failure of our justice system. In this case, justice delayed literally became justice denied.
We demand justice system reforms and the placement of additional guardrails to prevent a reoccurrence of the betrayal and corruption before, on, and since January 6, 2021.
January 6 Pardons
The pardoning of violent protesters is a betrayal of the lawmakers, law enforcement personnel, and all others who protected the Capitol or suffered on that day. All those involved in choosing these pardons as a course of action should be held accountable.
Executive Orders
Executive orders that do not violate the Constitution or laws are policy matters that, regardless of their wisdom, must be implemented. Orders that violate the laws or Constitution must be immediately made void by the Judiciary branch of our government. Systematic abuse of Executive orders should lead to discipline delivered by Congress and/or the courts.
Regardless, the right of the people to protest the orders' legality and/or legitimacy is fundamental.
Citizenship
Birthright citizenship embodies the wisdom that no class of people should ever become second class citizens in the United States. Regardless of one's agreement or disagreement with this assertion, birthright citizenship is the law of the land as defined in the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Until such time that it is changed through the process defined in our Constitution, it must be honored. Attempts to overturn birthright citizenship outside the Constitutional process are an abuse of power and should be dealt with accordingly.
Refugees and Asylum
The forced mass movement of people escaping war or disasters, and the forced movement of those escaping violence or political persecution, has long been recognized as a legitimate cause for requesting asylum throughout the world. These mass and/or systemic movements are threats to the national security of the United States and our allies. Requesting asylum in these cases is a human right. It is also the law as embodied in numerus treaties signed by the United States. Attempts to limit this right outside true emergencies is both inhuman and unlawful.
Ukraine and Other Countries Defending Democracy
The United States historically promotes democracy around the world. In addition, we respect the sovereignty of nations and their right to defend themselves from invasion. These policies are in the national security interest of the United States. The appeasement of Germany in the 1930s is Exhibit A for why these policies are in the national security interest of the United States. When it is in our national interest, as it is in Ukraine, we provide financial and military support. This is both in our interest, and the right thing to do for Ukraine and its people. It must continue to be our policy around the world.