Whenever I read the words of our founders, I am always impressed by their wisdom and foresight in establishing our government.
With Washington's 293rd birthday on February 22nd, it is timely to reflect on the writings of George Washington.
Words in italics are quotes from Washington.
Adherence to our Constitution
The sole purpose of government is to protect our natural liberties, not to support itself. The duty of every citizen, then, is to uphold the Constitution and to practice lawful obeisance to its dictates. Respect for [the Constitution’s] authority, compliance with its laws, acquiesces in its measures, are duties enjoined by the fundamental maxims of true liberty. Washington warned that if citizens take liberty for granted, if our culture—molded by journalists and writers, preachers and teachers—holds other values in higher esteem, then the spirit that gives life to the Constitution will flicker out.
Amendments
Washington knew that the Constitution would need to be added to and amended over time. The basis of our political systems is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government. Notice that Washington stated that amendments are the right of the people, perhaps even the responsibility of the people beyond Congress.
Term Limits
George Washington set an example of term limits twice when he declined to continue in a role: as commander-in-chief of the army and as president of the United States. What is most important in this grand experiment, in these United States, is not the election of the first President, but is the election of its second President. For the peaceful transition of power is what will separate this country from every other country in the world.
Fiscal Responsibility
With our government spending money it does not possess, we should be reminded of Washington’s admonition to avoid likewise the accumulation of debt, not only by shunning occasions of expense, but by vigorous exertion in time of peace to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.
Limitations of Power
Not only was Washington concerned about party factions, divisions between regions, and foreign influence (see his Farewell Address), but he admonished citizens to self-regulate their own greed and desire for power. Should those incited by the lust of power overleap the known barriers of the Constitution and violate the unalienable rights of humanity, it will only serve to show that no compact, no wall of words, no mound of parchment can stand against the sweeping current of boundless ambition on one side, aided by the sapping current of corrupted morals on the other.
Do these assertions sound familiar? They are exactly what the Convention of States movement espouses. We need to revisit and recommit to the values of the originators of our government, and we need to heed their warnings.
Presidents who have specifically supported Article V of the Constitution: Madison, Jefferson, Lincoln, Eisenhower, and Reagan.
Will you support the Constitution? Will you support Convention of States? Please do so by signing the petition and volunteering to get involved in the movement.
