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Al Bellenchia's avatar

Spot on and perfectly stated. I have been sharing this quote liberally the past few days, as it seems an apt reminder of the prescience of our founders, and their orientation against despotism and religious zealotry. Sadly, we not only don't learn from history, we forget what little we learn.

“The purpose of separation of church and state is to keep forever from these shores the ceaseless strife that has soaked the soil of Europe in blood for centuries.” - James Madison

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Ramona Grigg's avatar

It’s a great quote. I’ve had it in my stash to use, as well. It wouldn’t hurt for us to listen to those founders who tried to think of every abuse we might encounter. They mostly got it right.

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Al Bellenchia's avatar

Yes. And could not fathom the people electing an insane criminal twice.

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Lisa Whitacre's avatar

Well done! Superb. They used to teach this in school, 47 missed all of those lessons as did so many Americans. This should be a slam dunk. I suspect it will be a very slow and complicated slam dunk until the courts weigh in once and for all. Congress may want to get on board. We'll remember all of this. Thank you Mona- our guiding legal doctrine.

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Ramona Grigg's avatar

This info is available to everyone. I knew this was in the Declaration because they taught it when I was in school. I couldn't graduate unless I'd passed the Government class. We had Civics classes from junior high on up. Our textbooks missed a lot, like the accomplishments of Black people or the reasons Native Americans fought back, but we did learn the basics of how our government is supposed to operate, something sorely lacking today.

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Misty Hook's avatar

After the Trump Declaration of Independence debacle, I went to read it. I couldn't believe I'd never read it before!! But, thanks to Schoolhouse Rock, I can still sing the Preamble to the Constitution! I also didn't know until about 10-15 years ago about the Iroquois Confederacy giving us the foundation of our legal structure. I was educated in southern Missouri, so there are many holes in my education. I wish we had more of an infrastructure for continuing education. Far too many people don't seek it out.

For me, the vital phrase in the Declaration is "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed". It goes along with the "We the people" part of the Constitution. No one is coming to save us nor should there be because WE are the backbone of our democracy and we do not consent. I've seen a LOT of people protesting who understand this foundational truth. There needs to be more of us but, hopefully, we'll get there.

Thanks for continuing to remind us, Ramona! Our voices and our votes are our superpowers!

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Ramona Grigg's avatar

Yes, indeed. Thank YOU.

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Sharon L. Boyes-Schiller's avatar

Thank you. This is perfect.

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

"And yet, here we are (You knew this was coming)..." I did. WE DID! Since we can't stop the birth of new, greedy autocrats each generation, we must continue to train ourselves in how to fight them. You've done more than most Ramona, and I'm so glad you're still going!

A related aside, if you have a few extra minutes this week to listen to this, I'd be delighted to know what you think about it. https://onbeing.org/programs/david-bornstein-on-our-lives-with-the-news/

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Roman's Attic's avatar

This would make for an incredibly fantastic speech

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