Congressional Integrity
George Washington underscored the importance of moral and ethical behavior in his Farewell Address, warning that "virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government." He believed that without a morally upright citizenry, the republic could not endure. Washington articulated that principles like honesty, integrity, and public-mindedness were foundational to sustaining the trust and cohesion required for a government by the people.
2024 Elections
The 2024 presidential election cycle was undoubtedly not what George Washington had in mind regarding how those representing the citizens of the newly created Nation should behave when speaking to the citizenry from the floor of either chamber or regarding exempting themselves from the the laws they pass.
This past election cycle was perhaps the most verbally toxic, inflammatory, and divisive election of the century. Those who were most verbally abusive in their rhetoric against the opposition and the citizens who supported their opponents were long-serving members of Congress.
Individuals who went out of their way to hurdle vile and malicious accusations and allegations against their opponents in an attempt to dehumanize and degrade them, the political party they represent, and those American citizens who were strong supporters of those individuals.
Malicious and offensive statements, if made by a non-member of Congress, would undoubtedly have led to costly civil lawsuits for defamation. On the same note, failure by any citizen to comply with any law passed by the members of this body, in which they have exempted themselves, would lead to criminal charges with potential fines and/or imprisonment.
American Royalty
This governing body has conveniently exempted its members from the same standards that “We, the People,” are held to. They have exempted themselves from laws they pass and from being held liable for any derogatory and slanderous accusations they publicly make against anyone who disagrees with their party or ideology, feeling entitled to do so as royal members of Congress.
American Peasants
The more often incumbents are reelected, the more comfortable they become with the assumption that they will continue to be reelected despite their uncivil, hateful, and divisive behavior in their congressional roles.
Long-serving members of Congress understand that their constituents (the peasantry) consistently fail to keep themselves politically involved and informed about the actions and behavior of those they have elected to represent them.
This heightens their belief that they are superior and, therefore, entitled to exemptions from the norms expected of everyday citizens.
Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence states that we are all equal under the law, including all members of Congress. So why, then, can members of Congress exempt themselves from burdensome and restrictive laws they impose upon us, as was the case under the rule of the King of England, or from being held accountable for their inflammatory and liable statements? There is no mention in the Constitution granting these individuals this privilege. A privilege that implies that they are indeed of a higher class or status than “We the People.”
Equal Justice
Equal justice once referred to the idea that no governmental body may deny any individual equal protection of its governing laws nor exempt any individual, including themselves, from complying with those laws. It once meant that the governing body, Congress, must treat all individuals in the same manner as all others in similar conditions and circumstances. Equal justice does not exempt anyone from this standard.
“For, By, and Of the People”
So, what happened to the concept of government “For, By, and Of the People” as envisioned by the Founding Fathers? What happened to “equal justice under the law?”
What happened is that “We the People” allowed this reality to embed itself into our Congress. “We the People” failed in our civil obligation to remain forever vigilant and hold those we have elected to the same standards and laws that "We the People" are held to. "We the People" failed to stay aware of the actions of those we have elected and, having failed to do so, repeatedly reelect those lacking any sense of honor or moral character. This leads these individuals to embrace the idea that they are indeed royalty.
We know that members of Congress will never willingly give up a career in which they are allowed to function under the impression that they are unique, above the ordinary citizen, and, as such, entitled to be treated as a special class, royalty. Such grandiose attitudes undoubtedly inspire them to seek reelection cycle after cycle in order to retain their lofty positions.
“We the People”
We have been indoctrinated to believe that we, as ordinary citizens, are limited in what we can do to change the mindset of those who think that, as a member of Congress, are of a higher class than “We the People.” However, this is far from true. We can limit the time these individuals are allowed to live this fantasy by limiting the time that they may hold their positions as members of Congress by subjecting them to "Term Limits."
This “We the People” can accomplish under Article V of the Constitution, which allows the citizens of this Republic, through our State Representatives, to call for the convening of a Convention of States to propose the addition of an Amendment to the Constitution restricting the time any individual may serve as a member of Congress. Thereby imposing "Term Limits" on these elected officials.
This one Amendment would quickly caul out those long-serving members who have allowed this superior attitude to manifest itself. It would also prevent, or at least significantly restrict, any newly elected member of Congress from accumulating the time necessary following their election to embrace such anti-representative attitudes and behaviors.
An Amendment calling for "Term Limits" would further allow for the potential election of individuals with the moral courage, integrity, and willingness to end the passage of laws in which they exempt themselves and how they conduct themselves when speaking about opposing party members of Congress, those seeking election, and “We the People.”
Passing such an Amendment to the Constitution would renew the feeling of “Thanksgiving” for “We the People.”
Sadly, our North Carolina State Senate failed its constituents by failing to follow through with the passage of HJR 235, calling for the convening of a convention of states, as championed by the Convention of States Action organization and its thousands of North Carolina supporters. But we must never lose hope or give up, as persistence will see us over the finish line.
Now, more than ever, every freedom-loving citizen of North Carolina must renew their efforts in this mission. We must begin to make frequent and consistent contact with our representatives and demand the passage of a Resolution calling for convening a Convention of States.
We all must become engaged with our family members, friends, and neighbors to educate them that such a Resolution is not partisan but rather in the best interest of every American citizen regardless of party affiliation.
We must get them involved, at least by getting them to sign our petition, to ensure that we get this Resolution passed in the new upcoming North Carolina congressional session.
