EDITOR:

The United States of America, since its Declaration of Independence in 1776, has stood the test of time to become one of mankind’s greatest experiments. Our founding fathers pushed back against tyranny and set out on a journey of freedom and liberty. The United States Constitution was born. For over 225 years the Constitution has been the foundation of our republic.

I recently read a letter to the editor (Nov 30 – “LaFave gambling with public health”) in which the writer stated their belief that public health supersedes the liberty and freedom that the Constitution provides. One of our founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin once quoted “Those who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety”.

The freedom and liberty afforded us in the Constitution cannot be taken away by a government which decides to set aside the Constitution in a public health emergency via executive fiat. Is the pandemic a significant public health issue? Of course, but the Constitution does not mandate that we set aside our founding principles because of a public health concern. These are just the facts and they are undisputed. Our founding fathers had the foresight to understand that the Constitution was not a perfect document. Because of that, they also gave us the road map to make it a more perfect document over time. It’s called the amendment process. The Constitution has been amended several times in our country’s history. If “The People” feel that it needs to be changed, then take the necessary steps and call for a constitutional convention of the states or have Congress pass a resolution to have the Constitution amended and get 38 of the 50 states to ratify the amendment. Until then, the government has no right to declare that your liberties be temporarily set aside.

Forced vaccination and mandates to deprive you of your liberty are not consistent with the founding principles of our country. This is not about whether you are pro-vaccine or anti-vaccine. We are not a democracy; we are a Constitutional Republic. This pandemic has caused much pain and death to our fellow citizens. We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the emotions of the moment, no matter how painful they may be. The founding principles must continue guide this country in order for us to “become a more perfect union”.

Our elected leaders took an oath “to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution”. They did not take an oath to temporarily set it aside for the common good.

Scott Kwarciany

Gladstone