Please don't secede

I read letters to the editor in the local paper when I get a break from my volunteer job at a food pantry in Pacific. I know first hand that these are difficult times for many families, and I hear the desperation, anger and fear in the voices of those displaced by downsizing, layoffs, and jobs sent overseas.

But as sad as things are right now, we must not fly apart at the seams. Our ancestors worked too hard, suffered too much and believed in the American dream too fervently for us to rip up the social contract they passed on to us.

I'm not sure how states can become "sovereign" without seceding, and I plead with those of you encouraging this to please think about what you are doing. We fought a civil war over states rights, and there are cemeteries all over the eastern half of our country that should remind us what the consequences are of rhetoric that gets out of control.

When President Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg on September 19, 1863, no one knew what the eventual outcome of that war would be. He reminded his listeners that the American experiment of a nation "conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal" was a really unique and risky proposition. He fully understood that the civil war was "testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and dedicated, can long endure." It is a testament to our ancestors that we have not only endured but expanded and evolved.

Human nature being what it is, we will always have disagreements about how to protect and enlarge the American dream of self-governance. But I plead with those who preach hate, divisiveness and a breakup of our union to reconsider their position. We need all the talent, ingenuity and compassion we can muster to solve the problems our country faces right now.

Do we really want to rewind the story of the last 200 years of struggle and go back to the living conditions and relationships that prevailed when our Constitution was written? Article I. Section II. "Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including those bound to service for a term of years and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons (slaves.)" That was the original wording. Wasn't abolishing slavery and the buying and selling of other human beings progress? Do the women who attend the "back to the Constitution" rallies realize they'd be giving up the right to vote? If they would willingly give up that right, I urge them to view the documentary about the suffrage movement called "Iron-Jawed Angels."

We may debate how to achieve the goals set out in the Preamble to our Constitution, but let's keep those goals in mind as we adjust our social contract with each other. The world around us changes, and we must adapt or die. We may disagree on how to "form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity...," but I think we can all agree that this noble experiment is worth preserving.

We may be members of different poltical parties or choose to let the river of progress pass us by altogether and not get involved in the decisions that need to be made. But we are neighbors, friends, co-workers, fellow church members, volunteers and citizens who all want this nation to endure. We face difficult times, but we will come out of this stronger and better able to deal with the global challenges we face if we talk to each other, respect each other and work together.

President Lincoln wasn't sure that a government "...of the people, by the people, for the people..." could endure.But it has, at least for another 147 years. It's up to us what happens next.

Susan Cunningham
Calvey Township Committeewoman
Franklin County Democratic Central Committee