“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”— From the Declaration of Independence, adopted by Congress, July 4, 1776
Today, we celebrate our nation’s independence and recognize all the rights and freedoms we, as Americans, enjoy.
But sadly, as has all too often been the case since the Sept. 11 attacks, our government is taking more steps to undermine those very rights. If the Justice Department gets its way, those living in the “Land of the Free” will be giving up some of that freedom.
Once again, the federal government is willing to disregard the constitutional rights guaranteed to Americans under the guise of fighting terror.
And once again, officials in Washington, D.C., are far off the mark — it is unacceptable to trade our hard-won freedoms and civil liberties for security.
In this country, all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
But in setting new guidelines for the FBI, the Justice Department is about to turn that on its side, taking the suspicious approach that many Americans who fit certain profiles, such as Muslims or people with access to weapons, can be investigated — profiled — without the normal legal checks and balances.
In fact, they could be investigated without any evidence they had done anything wrong.
The U.S. Constitution clearly defines how due process works within our legal system in this country, making it one of the fairest in the world. The burden is on the government to prove someone is breaking the law.
It’s ironic that the Justice Department is playing such a key role in an action that is so unjust.
It’s also unsurprising.
Recently, the department has come under scrutiny that it corrupted the legal system to use its authority to further the political cause of the Bush Administration and its supporters.
These most recent actions only stand to reinforce those allegations.
The only way for Americans to stop our government from wiping away more than two centuries of freedoms is to take a stand and speak out on these issues — call elected officials and let them know we, the people, are not willing to give up our rights, and if such behavior continues in Washington we are more than willing to vote those responsible out of office.
“That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”
— Also from the Declaration of Independence, adopted by Congress, July 4, 1776
