How to Hold a Constitution Party
Take back America for the Americans
Rationale
From the perspective of many Americans, the biggest threat facing the United States today is not Terrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, or looming financial crisis. No, these Americans understand that our nation was founded in terrorism, prospered in spite of far greater financial difficulty than we currently face, and has a rather duplicitous nature when it comes to WMD. Rather, in this period of great geopolitical, social, and climatological upheaval, some would argue that the gravest threat to America and its ideals is the gradual erosion of our civil liberties.
What's at Stake
Reflecting upon contemporary American affairs, it is hard not to be disillusioned by how far we have departed from so many of our cherished national values. What has happened to freedom of assembly? To due process? To humanitarianism? To peace? To Democracy? Political discourse? Separation of Church and State? Just what the hell is going on here?!
Perhaps, just possibly, Americans are losing touch with the spirit of their Union as envisioned by its heroes and Founding Fathers. Today, I posit that this trend may stem, in part, from the modern-day American's divorce from the very Document in which those ideals are set forth. As schoolchildren we are exposed to the Constitution; it's content is discussed, in a general way; some particularly conscientious educational institutions may even encourage their students to memorize their privileges as American citizens as embodied in the Bill of Rights. But it is not until we are wrongfully imprisoned that we appreciate the wisdom of habeas corpus. It is not until we are censored that we appreciate freedom of speech. And it is not until we are suppressed that we appreciate our most fundamental democratic right.
Constitution Party: The Concept
That's the problem; now what's the solution? To remedy this basic lapse in our national consciousness! So few of us comprehend our own democratic heritage... how that can we expect to spread democracy abroad successfully? And so I propose a a new American nationalism. Let's harness the power of the Internet. Let's start a grassroots movement. Let's show the American power class that we, as citizens, care about our country and the direction in which it is going. Let's inspire the youth with something other than Vote or Die. Let's reinvigorate the social conscience of a generation of aging Baby Boomers. Come, ye rock stars, actors, investment bankers, waiters, truckers, cabbies, teachers, computer programmers, and steel workers - you who make up the body, heart, and soul of this great nation.
We need more characterization of voting as a civic duty espoused in primary and secondary schools. Less naive veneration of our political leaders and more hard-hitting political criticism. More patriotism, but less jingoism. More political involvement, but less partisanism. More piety and less fundamentalism.
I want to see rappers quoting the Declaration of Independence. Politically dissident sports figures embraced rather than ostracized. Angsty teens directing less energy to snorting Prozac and more to helping sort out the bleak and depressing aspects of life on Earth. A national day of celebration, complete with fireworks and Constitution Parties, recognizing the piece of paper that makes America more than just a chunk o' land!
Forget the Messy Details
This seems like just a pipe dream. Give it five years, and things will work out... won't they?
No.It's up to you, it's up to me, it's up to Bush, it's up to luck. America is us.
Go on, kids! Go out and hold a Constitution Party, today!