Contrary to popular opinion, the Founding Fathers did not script the Constitution to be a democracy.
They formed it to be a republic. (“To the Republic for which it stands.”) They put in all the checks and balances to try to ensure that America would remain a republic.
Think of America as a ship. In order for it to stay the course, it cannot lean too far to the left nor too far to the right or it will be in danger of capsizing.
When one side leans too far, the human reaction is to rush to the other side in order to right the ship. It is called the “Pendulum Swing.” It does not take a rocket scientist to see that this is what happened in the 2016 election.
The majority can be right and the majority can be wrong. But a republic stands for life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness and justice for all, not letting one set of beliefs overpower another set of beliefs.
This is the time to right the ship. If it tips too far too the right, the rush will again occur.
My hope is that all the good that was gained will remain, the bad will be stilled and we as Americans will lock arms in unity of spirit in spite of our differences.
Janey Funston,
Sequim