US Government against Civil Rights
By: Dennis O. Freytes, US Army Ret.;
The US Government has denied violating the Civil Rights of 4+ million upstanding US Citizens. In doing this, it wrongly moves against the democratic spirit and moral values of our great USA; supports unjust laws; and takes an un-democratic position--that perpetuates-- an un-equal US Citizenship and a privileged democracy (for some) under our grand American Flag.
The facts are: Since 1898 (for over 114 years), the loyal US Citizens and American Veterans’ residing in the US Territory of Puerto Rico (PR) -- have been under the will of Congress which determines their ultimate destiny; have no Federal vote nor just representation nor a permanent US Citizenship-- even while they bravely prove themselves on the battlefield to protect us; fight for democracy (not for political oppression); and make valuable contributions to the USA...
It is disappointing that a suzerain US Government fails to properly protect allindividual rights; but, discriminates against statutory non-permanent US Citizens born in PR and Others that can’t vote for their US President (Head of State-who sends them into battle)… Keep in mind that "Democratic forms of government are vulnerable to mass prejudice, the so-called tyranny of the majority" (said Gallagher). Today, all law abiding US Citizens should not be denied fair representation; segregated to Vote based on where they reside. But, have full permanent rights!
The essence of our represented Democracy/Equality is: “consent of the governed”! It is incongruent to say that Civil Rights are not violated in PR (the oldest US Territory in American history) when US Citizens there can’t vote in Federal elections, nor have just representation or a permanent US Citizenship. “There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice” (said Montesquieu). For our democracy to flourish, all Individual Rights must be protected against the “tyranny of a majority”!
What brought this in-justice? Our good US Constitution was approved in 1789, but, when originally drafted with in-equalities (during colonial /slavery times)--there were no Women, Blacks, Hispanics, or Asian representation--nor could they vote under it…; was meant to evolve through its amendments (“Bill of Rights”)… Thus, the complex PR Status problem has some conflictive issues: un-democratic Territorial control of the land (original Territorial Clause) vs. equal Civil Rights (Bill of Rights + Amendments). The trite Territorial Clause is general in nature-left to interpretation… It gave Congress the un-democratic control of the Territories during the forming of America…,
but, America is now formed…!
Congress, when in 1917, imposed a statutory US Citizenship (without all rights…) on those born in PR-- it made the PR Status issue not only a Group issue-vote on a Status; but, also, an individual rights issue…--where civil rights should be equal for all under the US Flag.
Today, we need to promptly act to redress an un-democratic wrong…; Civil Rights are vital to our Democracy and must be protected! Dr. King stood for equality; fought against un-just laws to overturn segregation or bad constitutional interpretations! Pres. Lincoln once stated: “…that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth!” Plato said “Tyranny naturally arises out of democracy!” If government is left un-checked, inequality grows... Why don’t the US Gov. act now…? Institutional inequality is faced, not only by our Afro-American Brothers & Sisters. We are one Human Race!
Even if one individual’s right to Vote is violated-- there is discrimination! You can’t have it both ways! “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual” (said
When individual rights (that are totemic to our Democracy) are threaten, the Federal Government should not cross it’s arms or become an ally with crafty politicians or the Media that distort the truth! It should honestly act to change any unjust laws or discriminating interpretations of the early 1900 Insular Cases (that determined the un-fair confines of a US Territory)…; do what’s just in the interest of an equal US Citizenship which is vital for our democracy to blossom.
In this new millennium, it is a dichotomy to: on the one hand profess an equal US Citizenship, when, on the other hand we have millions of US Citizens, under our US Flag, that can’t vote; don’t have just representation nor a permanent US Citizenship-- like all others have! Full individual rights are more important than the control of Territorial land where US Citizens live...
The US Government must resolve this un-democratic inequality; discrimination: Short Range--hold an honest Referendum; define Constitutional options; in the Long Range-- amend the US Constitution to ensure an equal US Citizenship… This is not only about a “group” voting on PR’s Status…, but, more important it is about protecting individual rights which is the essence thatmakes-- a true representative democracy; the American Republic be the shining light of freedom; make the Liberty Bell ring!
Pres. Obama and Congress should not play political games or be elitist, but, act justly to end Voter segregation and inequalities in PR; enact a just Plebiscite for all statutory US Citizens (that have legal standing); define the options--Statehood (State Identity/ Sovereignty; permanent US Citizenship…),Independence (with or without a Pact; Sovereignty; PR Citizenship). But, if added: US Territory (Means: ELA: Local Government permitted under the will of Congress;
Un-equal/ non-permanent US Citizenship if born in PR…).
Let’s enshrine the US Constitution (amended) as the best in the annals of Human history--fix any disjoints… True Patriots must advance American Democracy; break Puerto Rico’s trite Territorial Shackles; ensure an equal US Citizenship for all! Truth, Equality, & Liberty for all!
*Supporting American Patriots say:
In Republics, the great danger is, that the majority may not sufficiently respect the rights of the minority.
“A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference."--
The tyranny of the many would be when one body takes over the rights of others, and then exercises its power to change the laws in its favor. – Voltaire
Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.—
The constitution does not provide for first and second class citizens.—
The USA was founded in the name of democracy, equality and individual freedom, but is failing to deliver the fundamental promise of protecting rights for all.-- Amnesty International
The whole of the Bill [of Rights] is a declaration of the right of the people at large or considered as individuals... It establishes some rights of the individual as unalienable and which consequently, no majority has a right to deprive them of. -- Albert Gallatin
The whole of the Bill [of Rights] is a declaration of the right of the people at large or considered as individuals... It establishes some rights of the individual as unalienable and which consequently, no majority has a right to deprive them of. -- Albert Gallatin
[The Bill of Rights is] designed to protect individuals and minorities against the tyranny of the majority, but it's also designed to protect the people against bureaucracy, against the government. -Judge Tribe
Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect!-- Mark Twain
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. Thomas Jefferson
President Abraham Lincoln:
Gettysburg, PA; Nov. 19, 1863: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal… It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
"No Task too difficult; no Mission impossible--Will do!"
"Patriots fighting for the good of all--Family, Community, USA, and Humanity!"
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