“Why isn’t Trump taking control?!” A thread for those who don’t know what being an American citizen means, with practical suggestions for what a citizen can do him- or herself: >>
The President is not a king or big parent, whose job is to rescue adults from situations of their own making. In our system of government, our citizens have privileges/benefits AND CIVIC DUTIES. >>
Our system is one based on SELF-GOVERNANCE through representation, separation of powers, and the rule of law, not of men. >>
‘Federalism’ is part of the essential design built into our Constitution. It means that we have regional gov’ts (state gov’ts) and also a general gov’t (“federal” gov’t). >>
The federal gov’t is supposed to be one of limited, enumerated, delegated powers. (Sadly, the Anti-Federalists’ predictions were the more correct, but what we have is the Constitution, as bloated by the follies of human nature over ~100 yrs, far beyond these limited powers.) >>
The vast majority of our governance is supposed to be at the local and state level. This may seem incorrect to you based on what you see in real life; as James Madison explained in Federalist 45, though: >>
“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.” >>
“The [powers of the federal gov’t] will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected.” >>
“The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State.” >>
Therefore, if Antifa, BLM, or other protesters are breaking local or state laws, refusing “peaceably to assemble” (First Amendment), it is up to the local and state officials and citizens to manage. The federal gov’t only has a role in enforcing *federal law.* >>
Attorney General Barr explained: "Federal law enforcement actions will be directed at apprehending and charging the violent radical agitators who have hijacked peaceful protest and are engaged in violations of federal law. To identify criminal organizers and instigators, ... >>
“...and to coordinate federal resources with our state and local partners, federal law enforcement is using our existing network of 56 regional FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTF).” justice.gov/opa/pr/attorne… >>
The anti-terrorist tools are available to the federal gov’t, but these are American citizens on American soil, so the President can't "drone them," as Hillary once phrased it. The citizens of the affected cities are in trouble, because self-governance is harder than it sounds. >>
Being a citizen isn’t a spectator sport. Franklin said it's a republic, *if we can keep it.* We aren’t, or aren’t supposed to be, serfs who tithe in exchange for protection, as some seem to imply. (“I pay taxes for police! Why isn’t the President doing something?!) >>
So what is the role for you, the citizen? What is your civic duty? How can you use the great gift of a republic form of government and of the rule of law to help correct the situation? >>
You have an explicit constitutional right to petition for redress of grievances & to peaceably assemble. Has anyone organized a campaign to pressure your local elected officials to exert their lawful authority? “But they’re the ones allowing this situation,” you cry, helplessly.>
What did our Founders do? Pushed that avenue on a monarch, king of the most powerful nation on Earth at the time, *without* benefit of a republican form of gov't, as we have, bequeathed to us by them! Re-read the Declaration; we aren't even *close* to what they put up with. >>
Have you checked the deadline for filing as a candidate for city council, school board, Supervisor of Elections, etc.? Might have some motivated voters this year! >>
Running for the office of Supervisor of Elections is a good idea in a year when people see with their own eyes the future they can look "forward" to if the Left can cheat their way to victory. It's a key position for preventing vote fraud. >>
Have you volunteered with your county Republican Party to be a poll watcher? To help register voters before the looming deadline? To give voters a ride to the poll? To staff the local campaign office? Work for a candidate? >>
Have you reviewed your state constitution to see if there are any provisions that could be used to apply pressure on your local and state officials? Have you looked for established groups you could join who might have already done this? >>
Property owners and business owners have been deprived of use and of income, possibly even future income. Has anyone organized these people to file suit against the city and its officials in a court of law, for restitution? >>
“Are you kidding?! This is a *Communist infiltration!* You expect me to do those things against *Communists?!*" >>
You know when else we had a Communist infiltration? During WWII, when our Soviet 'ally' had agents at all levels of our gov't. Did our side just throw their hands up? No, which is why you have a chance now to fight back, like so many generations have had to do. >>
If you’re particularly brave and capable, you can infiltrate *them* and be an informer for your police, Sheriff, or the FBI. If that intrigues you, ask them how to help. My father ran informants against the Communists in Washington, DC, during WWII. >> [thread break, continues]
Read Federalist 10, which tells us that the Founders expected us to solve domestic violence at the local and state level, aided by neighboring states if needed. And read some history to understand citizenship, starting with the ancient Greeks; suggestions in separate thread. >>
The thin thread of liberty travels from ancient Greece, via Jerusalem, Rome, and Britain, to us. A heavy burden rests on our shoulders. We see no one to take up the mantle, should we drop it. >>
Frederick Douglass said, “A man’s rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.” We need to do everything we can to keep things in that first box. >>
So, what to do? Look in the mirror, citizen. //
@threaderapp , please compile
@threadreaderapp , please unroll
