Roots in Ripon - Day of Celebration

Roots in Ripon

Chuck Roots

16 January 2017

www.chuckroots.com

          Regardless of where you fall out in the political machinations of our nation’s exercise of Constitutional privileges, January 20^th every four years is a time to celebrate!

          There is a plethora of reasons why a voter may not like a particular candidate. Or in the case of the most recent presidential election, the voter may not have liked either of the major party candidates all that much. But the election is over. The clear winner is Donald J. Trump, and he will be inaugurated this Friday as our 45^th President. This is as it should be. If Hillary R. Clinton had won, I would say the same thing. At this point, whether my candidate won or lost becomes moot. 

          It is ridiculous for liberals and Democrats to refuse to attend this peaceful, time-honored transition of power. Such petulance belittles the blood-bought right of every American voter. Our rights as outlined in the Constitution are provided by both God and man. I think of all the young men and women who have given their lives in service to our country, sacrificing the last full measure of devotion in some far-off village you and I are likely incapable of pronouncing. It has been my solemn honor and privilege to have laid a number of these patriots to rest. These are the eighteen, nineteen, and twenty-year-old’s who would have loved to have returned home to their families and continued to participate in the cherished freedoms we celebrate as Americans. But such was not the case for them. It falls upon us to carry the torch of freedom by exercising our blessed rights. By so doing we honor the memory of these brave warriors.

          Let me further say that if I were the one directing the Inauguration Day events, Hollywood’s elite would be waiting a very long time for an invitation to perform. There are a few who are honorable, but most of the rest can sit around their multi-million dollar mansions in Beverly Hills sipping lattes, and having their personal chefs prepare them their favorite comfort foods. In the meantime, the rest of America will celebrate this special day, and then get back to work!

          Instead, if I were directing the Inauguration Day events, I would search far and wide across the fruited plain for the latent talent that resides in every town and berg in these 50 states. I would invite folks who have a special talent, but more importantly, I would invite those who love America.

I was delighted to see that one of the first people invited to perform was Jackie Evancho. This 16-year-old classical vocalist performed on America’s Got Talent (AGT) when she was 11 and absolutely blew everyone away. She finished in 2^nd place, but her career took off. She has recorded several albums and is in constant demand. When the Trump Team asked her to perform, she agreed right away. This immediately put her in the cross-hairs of the liberals who hate Trump. They ridiculed Jackie because she didn’t come in 1^st place on AGT. They said Trump was using wanna-be performers. I had to laugh. If you’ve ever heard her sing you know what I’m talking about. Her voice and talent are heavenly. Plus, after she was denigrated by the media, her record/CD sales went through the roof! I love Americans! 

          The primary reason we as Americans should be celebrating the inauguration is it marks us as a people who recognize and respect the Rule of Law and that we play by the rules. I believe the Founding Fathers had this in mind when they crafted our Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. I yet marvel at the prescience of these patriots who dreamed of a land where power was in the hands of the people. Nowhere else did such a country or nation exist at that time, and that enjoyed such an abundance of freedom. It was just such freedoms that caused the Founders to wonder if the United States would survive. When a lady approached Benjamin Franklin after the Constitutional Convention had agreed on the Constitution, she asked him, “What sort of government are we to have, Mr. Franklin?” His reply: “A republic, madam, if you can keep it.” 

          Throughout human history peaceful transitions of power are virtually unheard of. Kings, monarchs, despots, potentates, emperors, sovereigns, dictators and the like used the power of their position to rule and keep order. Nothing like the United States with its power vested in the people, has ever occurred before. Those who ruled in other nations typically viewed the people they governed as “unwashed rabble.” Many of the Founding Fathers were men of strong Christian faith. Others at least respected the those of Christian character. This is why the precious documents of our nation focus on a strong belief in God, and particularly the God of the Bible. A study of the Constitution will quickly reveal that such a document of law only works with a people who acknowledge the Divine. 

          It falls upon us, then, to do everything in our power to preserve our freedoms and our way of life. 

          Every military person, and every elected official takes an oath swearing (or promising) to protect and defend the Constitution against anyone who would attempt to destroy it. 

          My prayer is that God will continue to raise up patriots who will serve Him and us.

          And may God bless America!