The country’s political and economic instability, combined with its citizens’ anger and dissatisfaction with the state of the country, enables a charismatic leader to rise from the ashes.
He promises to restore their rightful place in the world order. He says he will make their life better by lowering prices and improving their employment.
To channel the citizens’ anger, he identifies groups- scapegoats, as the cause of their dissatisfaction. He claims the citizens have given him a mandate. Using his powers, propaganda, and his internal army, he sets out to rid the country of these “inferior people.”
A small but influential group of backers (political, industrial, financial, and media) out of fear or opportunity, jump on his bandwagon. With their help he seeks to bring all the levers of government under his control. He gains control of the legislative bodies and judiciary.
He used a contrived national emergency to gain more power and control. He then uses his power to control the messaging through propaganda. He threatens and intimidates the media. He clamps down on dissidents and peaceful protected protests. He uses the legislature and judiciary along with his edicts to carry out his agenda.
With his total control and power, he begins to covet the resources and land of other countries. Using threats and intimidation, he acts on his urges. Individuals and countries, not wanting to make the situation worse at first acquiesce to his demands. Appeasement to his demands does not satisfy him, it only makes him want more. Does this sound familiar to you? It would if you lived in Germany in the 1930’s
Our government was founded as a Democracy, governed by the Constitution. The founding fathers established three separate co-equal branches of our government; the legislative, executive, and judiciary, each with its own roles and powers. They were to provide checks and balances on each other. We have survived for nearly 250 years through many challenges because the three branches have done their jobs, and the citizens have trusted their leaders. That trust is based on truthfulness, transparency, and fairness.
Presently, we have an unelected person, Elon Musk, not displaying any of the values that trust is based on. He and his minions have operated secretly cutting people and programs under the guise of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.
Events in history tend to repeat if you don’t learn from them. We are at an important point in our history. We have seen great changes in the ideals of America: conflicts with our allies, a loss of compassion for those less fortunate, a restriction of our constitutional rights and freedoms, deleting of agencies that have made our life better, and doing away with environmental protection that keep us safe.
If you have concerns about the direction of the country’ you can always express your concerns. Living in this country has given you two great powers: your voice and your vote.
We have been peacefully protesting at Representative Langworthy’s Office in Olean for the past few weeks. We started with 12 people, and we have grown steadily with 56 protesting two weeks later.
If any of the above concerns you, you are welcome to join us. Remember, you have the power to decide what kind of country you want and deserve to live in. Make sure to use your powers before it’s too late.
Mr. Langworthy, as a member of the Congress, the Constitution gave you several powers:
- To lay, collect taxes, duties (tariffs, impost and excise).
- To make rules and regulations.
- To provide for common defense and general welfare.
- To advise and consent for executive appointments and treaties.
- Constitute tribunals (investigative committees) inferior to the supreme court and many other powers.
You need to do your job. You need to use the power given to you by the Constitution. You need to inform your constituents what you are cutting, why you are cutting it, and what the consequences of the cuts will be.
Also, you need to be honest with the people you represent as to how much extending the tax cuts will increase the national debt, since the given reason for the cuts is to reduce the national debt. Mr. Langworthy, you need to do your job!
Bill Stephen
Ceres, NY
