Upon exiting that hot building in Philadelphia 222 years ago, Benjamin Franklin was stopped by a woman on the street who asked him, “What did you give us, sir?”

“A republic, if you can keep it,” Franklin responded.

Benjamin Franklin, along with the other framers of the Constitution, knew that an elected legislature could stomp out a man’s rights just as easy as a king. On this 222nd anniversary of The Constitution of The United States of America, I really believe we have come so far from the republic our founding fathers envisioned. If Madison, Washington, Jefferson and Franklin were here today and saw what we have done to their republic, they would be ashamed, and I would be ashamed. I could not look them in the eye. They would wonder why they even bothered to sacrifice so much to hold to their beliefs against tyranny. Because as corrupt as Washington, D.C., is, we have done nothing to change it.

The founders of this republic had more fortitude in a pinky finger than all Americans today combined. They held to their truths and told the tyrannical King George that he no longer could rule them with such oppression. They stuck to their beliefs and told England that they believed in more than a monarchy could provide. They knew that by signing their name to the Declaration of Independence, they were in a sense signing their death warrant.

Many early American lives were given so that we could have this republic today. For 10 generations, Americans have died, families have been decimated with loss, and brothers have fought alongside each other only to line up across from one another years later.

Americans have fought in two wars to end all wars, along with fighting to stop the spread of communism and the threat of global terrorism. America has sacrificed her fathers, brothers, uncles, daughters, sisters, mothers, and aunts so that our way of life, our republic could stand. And what have we allowed America to become? Why have we told these patriots that their sacrifices have been in vain?

Because we take our freedom for granted, and no matter how bad Washington D.C.’s corruption has become, we can always say, Hey, at least its not Somalia.

I spoke earlier about what if Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Franklin were here? Well in many of us, these great men still live. The spirits of our founding fathers have been awakened in so many of us. Look at the March on Washington on Sept. 12. Our founding fathers fought so hard and sacrificed so much for us. The time has come for us to fight for them, and not with cannon or bayonets, but with something so powerful: our voice. Famous people like Gahndi and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., along with everyday people like Rosa Parks showed the world how powerful a peaceful protest can be. It is the duty of every American Patriot to stand up and fight for our republic. Fight with your voice, and support your arguments with the truth. The truth is the most powerful weapon you can arm yourself with in world of non-violent warfare.

Call your congressman or senator. Organize a tea party. Organize a non-violent protest of government corruption.

Instead of using violence, use something that Washington fears more than any weapon; use your vote. Ask your congressman or senator what they have specifically done to eliminate corruption in Washington. Ask them how much money they have received from special-interest groups. Ask them what they have done to protect and defend the Constitution of The United States against all enemies; foreign and domestic.

Tell your congressman or senator that they must not take their position lightly and with entitlement. Tell them they must earn your vote everyday, not just one day in November. And if you do not receive the answers you deserve, tell them you are taking your vote elsewhere.

I am not sure I have all the answers, but I am going to fight for George Washington, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. Will you stand with me?



Jason Higdon lives in New Albany and is a member of Citizens for Constitutionality Now.