Statement of Belief

By Paul Lemmen

I believe in America. Not what we have turned into, a deluded, divided and disgraced Republic, the result of reliance on hucksters, dilettantes, drones and deceivers in public office.

I believe there isn't a nickels worth of difference between the two major parties, they are almost indistinguishable by tactics, lies, spin and self-interest.

I believe in individuals, in the rights of the individual, in the existence of the government to serve and protect each individual, in the rights endowed on us by our Creator as denoted and recognized by our founders and framers, that among these are the most important endowed rights that form the master chord of the symphony of America, the right to life, the right to liberty and the right to the pursuit of happiness.

I believe that life, all human life, is sacrosanct, is inviolable, is the first and prime right of all humankind regardless of race, gender, national origin or economic class. For without life no other right is possible. With this right comes the obligation to respect and hold sacred this right for all others, that the only limitation on this right is when it overshadows or interferes with the same rights of another.

I believe in liberty, for all to be at liberty, in coming and going, to own land, move and live where they want, how they want, to work at whatever profession they choose, to speak and write freely, to believe in any religion or none. With this right comes the obligation to respect and hold sacred this right for all others, that the only limitation on this right is when it overshadows or interferes with the same rights of another.

I believe in the right to pursue happiness. There is no guarantee of happiness or even that the playing field will be level, only that we have the inalienable right to dream and to pursue those dreams, to seek fulfillment via those things that give us happiness. As with the others, this right comes with the obligation to respect and hold sacred this right for all others, that the only limitation on this right is when it overshadows or interferes with the same rights of another.

I believe that all other rights recognized by our Constitution and Bill of Rights are similarly endowed and bear the same obligations.

I believe that only our Creator can bestow or endow rights upon us, that government cannot legislate a right, only acknowledge them and that all valid rights apply to all and bear the same obligations as I have previously specified.

I believe it is the obligation of a citizen to be law-abiding, to respect lawfully appointed authority and to monitor and through the ballot box as well as speech in the public square, make known the issues affecting our Republic, our state and our local communities, so that the voice of "We the People" may speak loudly and effectively in choosing the people who will represent us in our government.

Yes, I believe in America and yearn for the time when "We the People" awake from our long sleep of delusion and once again take the reins of government away from the special interests and money-changers and do as did Jesus, chasing the thieves from the temple of our Republic.