In 1776, the United States declared its independence and established a nation founded on the principles of equality and basic human rights. These ideals were further solidified in the Constitution of 1787, but were put to the test during the Civil War. Now, as the country faces another challenge, it is crucial to reaffirm these governing principles. Throughout its 237-year history, the United States has only faced two existential threats. The first was the Civil War, which was sparked by the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1852. This act overturned the Missouri Compromise and allowed the slaveholding South to exert its power over the rest of the country. However, with the leadership of Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party, the country was able to overcome this threat. Unfortunately, both Lincoln and the party’s original dedication to freedom and justice were soon overshadowed by other interests. The Republican Party, once a champion of liberty, became more focused on the interests of big business and Wall Street. This political orientation has persisted over the years, despite producing exceptional leaders such as Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Ronald Reagan. Now, the country is facing a second existential threat, as the Republican Party has shifted towards supporting anti-democratic and unconstitutional leadership, policies, and behavior. From the 1870s to 2016, the Republican Party was a legitimate player in the American political system. It was actually the Democratic Party, particularly in the South, that represented undemocratic forces with its support of Jim Crow laws. It is crucial to reaffirm the principles of the Constitution and the ideals expressed in 1776 in order to protect the country from this current threat.
