We must be moral, religious people and restore constitutional republic

By Michael Lewinski 

Published in The Online News-Sentinel - 17 Nov 09

Unless we invite God back into our hearts and honor the Constitution, America will never again be a land of prosperity and freedom. It is no coincidence that our country has struggled so much lately. It is you and I who have let this happen. We have abandoned the laws of nature and of nature's God.
Instead of choosing virtuous leaders devoted to the public good, we have empowered men and women motivated by love of power and money. Rather than empower local governments that are more responsive to the will of the people, we have concentrated power in a distant, centralized government that is highly susceptible to corruption and the debilitating influences of special interests. Because we have allowed the idea to flourish that nothing is right and nothing is wrong, that which is evil is accepted and that which is good is shunned.
We find ourselves in a wretched state of affairs because we have rejected the laws on which the Constitution was based. The concept of limited government was long ago abandoned, as were the separation of powers and checks and balances on government power. Now we are losing the rights of free speech and free press; the right to bear arms, even for self-defense; the right to choose our own health care; and our right not to be taxed without proper representation. The institution of marriage is under attack, as well as free-market principles.
Our God-given rights are rapidly being eroded by the state: personal choice; free conscience; enjoying the fruits of one's labor; owning and developing personal property; free association; the right to assemble; the right to petition; and, most importantly, the right to self-government.

Long ago, the Founders warned that we could lose what they had given us if we are no longer a virtuous and moral people. They were concerned that Americans would be "corrupted with riches the way people had been debilitated in Europe, where all they wanted was luxury, indolence, amusement and pleasure." Encouraging a strong work ethic, frugality and honesty, the Founders sought to perpetuate a gospel of morality and virtue.
If there was a consistent theme that appears in their writings and actions, it was that America had to remain a moral and religious people if we were to retain our freedoms. There was no better demonstration of this than in the passage of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Article 3 states, "Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged."
In his farewell address; President George Washington identified religion and morality as the pillars of human happiness. John Adams said, "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." Benjamin Franklin believed that "only a virtuous people are capable of freedom" because "a corrupt and selfish people could never make the principles of republicanism operate successfully."
Is mankind's most noble experiment forever lost? It will be if we fail to act. We could continue to reject God and ignore the Constitution. We could continue ignoring our civic responsibilities. Or we can forge a better future for our children and grandchildren. To accomplish this, we must do two things:
Above all else, we must become a better people, "a moral and religious people." We must love and honor God and our neighbors as we love ourselves. This is the foundation upon which our country was built.
We must tirelessly fight to restore our constitutional republic. Concerned, determined citizens are uniting and protesting, ordering the Washington cabal to restore to the American people their rights to self-government and free-market principles.
Now is the time to prepare for the two most important elections in the history of our republic — 2010 and 2012. Insist upon an end to the political games, the lies, the deception, and demand a full and honest accounting of the integrity, honesty and political world view of each candidate. Join millions of Americans in this new revolution. With God's help, we can succeed.

Michael Lewinski is a resident of Auburn and Leader of the Kendallville 9/12 Project