How Thrilled Would Ben Franklin Be With What We’ve Done To Our Democratic Republic?

My family and I are out of here tomorrow morning, and back on the 27th. It’s our annual pilgrimage back to Philadelphia, cradle of the Union – ironic to be sure, given my recent writing on how sadly corrupt has become the democracy we so treasure.

I’ll be driving my rent-a-car north from the airport just east of the Liberty Bell when I’ll hear Ben Franklin calling through the centuries:

The bravest and brightest of us here in the late Eighteenth Century worked hard to establish a democratic republic for your liberty and prosperity. We struggled mightily amongst ourselves for quite a while to draft and approve a Constitution that we thought would protect you forever from greedy criminals.  Yes, we knew that there would be a never-ending procession of ruthless and increasingly powerful people who we knew would never tire in their attempts to exploit this freedom, at the expense of turning mankind back in the direction of the Dark Ages, rather than forward to even greater lights of wisdom, justice, and happiness for all.

Until recently, I believed that we had succeeded, but now it appears we fell short.  Looks like that Citizens United decision was the nail in the coffin.  I still can’t believe that happened.  If you can’t overturn that somehow, it looks like I will have failed you. Sorry.  Over and out.

Having said that, there is hope. And it lies in you and me. Let’s never give up. Stand up for what you believe.  Do it for yourself, your countrymen, for Ben.