Ordinary citizens can save the American spirit
There is a spirit in America which has run through the veins of this country for 240-plus years. It was the glue that bound our Founding Fathers together during the difficult days of devising the greatest foundational government documents ever created. It has been the stitching that kept our country together during times of peace and plenty and struggle and strife. Citizens of other countries often cannot comprehend it, yet are drawn to our country because of it. Is it the freedom? Is it the prosperity? Is it the hope? I believe it is all of these and more.
The spirit of Americans and the prosperity we have been blessed with has been severely tested over the last few decades because of a centralized power-gorged government using any issue or tragedy possible to bait-and-switch security for freedoms. Citizens of all races, religions, and walks of life have suffered from being caught up in wave after wave of cleverly worded acts and laws designed to placate the uninformed while siphoning their rights and cataloging every aspect of their lives. I believe the past administration stifled those citizens who love America for her true spirit of exceptionalism, generosity, humanitarianism, ingenuity and innovation. Many of us felt marginalized and forced to endure an uphill battle to save this spirit of America.
The spirit of America does not rest on a foundation of compromise and mediocrity. Its bedrock principles should be to promote an honest day’s work for fair pay and eliminate hurdles to entrepreneurial endeavors. The spirit of America understands that all people aren’t equal in abilities, but all are given equal opportunities if they choose to assimilate into our culture and our laws.
The early spirit of America never condoned subjecting her citizens to an out of control governing system run by career politicians and special interest lobby groups who are all too eager to exchange your state sovereignty for backdoor deals and power exchanges. The spirit of America should never constrain the rights of the individual in order to placate the current mood, emotion-based demands, or willful ignorance expressed by those claiming special group rights.
I believe we are entering a new era of the American spirit. With the election of Donald Trump, Americans made the statement - NO MORE! His presidency is already having a long awaited, positive ripple effect in economics, business, and on bloated regulations in government at all levels. I believe we now have the opportunity and momentum to move this country in the direction it needs to go to insure our light in this world remains the brightest and most inspirational.
Many see President Trump as their hero, and others the opposite. But the true answer to keeping our republic on its foundational course is citizen education and engagement. President Trump is not our savior, nor our hero, nor our superman. He is nothing more than a God-ordained temporary reprieve from the ever-looming governmental catastrophes that await those who become apathetic and complacent to evil intent. It is up to us, the citizens, to remain engaged and educated and proceed without fear but certainly with caution and common sense.
May God again bless America.
Rep. Heather Scott represents District 1A in the Idaho House of Representatives.