Taking the law into their own hands

To the Editor:

As we look at the results of the 2020 election, let us reflect on who we are as a nation. In the Pledge of Allegiance, we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

What is a Republic? A Republic is a government with a Chief of State, not a Monarch, ie, a President. It is a government in which the supreme power is held by the citizens entitled to vote, exercised by elected officials, governing according to law. We have a constitution that guarantees inalienable rights – rights that cannot be taken away.

Our present administration has taken the law into their own hands with multiple executive orders that have crippled the economies of several areas of the country. A prime example is the shutdown of the Keystone Pipeline, eliminating over 11,600 — 6 figure jobs or 1.1 billion dollars of income. Theoretically, an earned dollar turns over 7 times in the communities in which these workers reside or over 7.7 billion dollars. Not only that, but killing previous investments to get as far as they have with the present construction. Then stopping the further production or exploration on federal lands.

Our president inherited an energy independent nation. In nine months, we have become a nation depending on OPEC, asking them to increase production to augment our needs.

Today our present administration is proposing a 3.5 trillion dollar package, 2,465 pages long, written by staff members containing what is called freebies, yet paid by the taxpayer and will cost much more than the 3.5 trillion. We are looking at an administration that would spend our country into a debt that would break our economy and our children, our grandchildren and beyond for generations to come! We set with precedent, taking freedom away by executive orders, placing people out of business by telling them they are non-essential. Everyone is essential and contributes to the welfare of this nation. We have taken away the incentive to work by giving away more money than some people make working. We have so much non-essential spending in these bills. Let the people decide what we can do beyond the infrastructure and get rid of non-productive government jobs. Billions will be spent on non-productive, but intrusive government jobs.

We are one nation, Democrat, Republican, Independent, etc. We are a free people that have already given many of our freedoms over to the government, never to get them back. Let us reject this proposed philosophy and remain a free and productive nation.

Fred Lenz

St. James