My mother joined the Army when I was five, and I grew up traveling the world surrounded by the military. Never once did I have to question what being an American meant or what my country stood for. I understood that I was a member of a free country even though I did not live on American soil, and that I was free to speak and think differently. I understood that I was free as a woman to open a bank account and pursue a career. I understood that I was free to choose a political party and vote according to my own conscience. I was told that I could be whatever I wanted to be. I was told that if I worked hard I could work and live in a community peacefully, even if I was different or believed different things. I was told that I could speak up if I had a concern and that there would always be people willing to stand up with me to fight to uphold our freedoms. I had a compass that always pointed to a free country.

Our Compass is Lost

But now I am told that defending the ruling political parties idea of truth and justice is more important than defending freedom. I am told that I cannot work if I ask questions or think differently. I am told that I cannot live peacefully in a community if I disagree with the government. I am told that I cannot get a loan or purchase real estate as a woman entrepreneur without government assistance. I am told that I must  “pick a side” in order to prosper in this country and my lifestyle will be dictated by the political side I choose. THAT IS NOT AMERICA. 

Laws Do Not Uphold Our Constitution, the People Do

Forcing somebody to choose a political party is no different than being forced to support a tyrannical king. A political party can be corrupted just like a king can be corrupted. Our constitution does not say anything about having to belong to a political party in order to vote or pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 

At this point in the history of America,  we are all responsible for the division and hatred being promoted. Every politician, political crony, or citizen that engages in ridicule, shame, rejection, or condemnation of an opposing view is ridiculing, shaming, rejecting and condemning the  freedoms our constitution provides. Every politician, political crony, or citizen that engages in deliberately silencing, instilling fear, or forcing a narrative in a community is not supporting the freedoms our constitution provides. Every politician, political crony, or citizen that attacks government workers and forces people out of state government because they refuse to choose a political side does not support our constitutional freedoms. 

As a citizen, you cannot uphold the constitution if you are bowing to a political party.