We The People are the first three words of the Constitution of the United States. The Supreme Court SCOTUS is given the responsibility of protecting our country based on the items set forth in this document. They swear an oath to uphold them. So what has happened with their oath to stand by and protect We the People?
In some of the opinions of some of the justices, does the WE not apply to the women of this country? They have just struck down one of the most courageous options in the history of decisions by the court – Roe v Wade. They have taken away a Woman’s freedom to care for herself in the case of unwanted pregnancies. Maybe we need to take away the freedom of men in their part in creating this unwanted pregnancy.
After all, it takes two to tango, as they say. Two to create those fetuses. But too often half of the creative process disappears and leaves the burden of it to the other half. It is not just a matter of carrying that fetus for the nine months of pregnancy. It is a matter of caring for that child for another 18 years until it is ready and able to care for itself. Sheltering, feeding, and guiding that child regardless of the situation. Where are the other halves of the We that created it?
I am not arguing here for the right to have an abortion. That is the decision for each person alone to make. But each woman should have the right to make that decision without the interference of the government. If you don’t believe in abortion, then you simply don’t have one. But that is the sole decision of the woman and she is entitled to a safe way to make that decision. That is my opinion.
Two Sides to Every Issue
This issue has become one of many political footballs that have been created in this country. Now the WE has come down to the US and THEM. The Right and the Left. There is no more middle ground. No more WE. Each side has gone to extremes, which now makes both sides wrong in my opinion.
I was once a Republican who believed that the central government should be kept small and kept out of our individual freedoms. I believed that people were genuinely good and should be able to govern themselves. And that people should be able to maintain an arbitrated peace among themselves. But then the Republicans stopped being about smaller, less intrusive government. Now, it seems that they have become more about wanting everyone to all think alike. All for one side. All for themselves.
The word WE implies the give and take between people. It implies that both sides have equal opportunities and rights. But perhaps we are no longer able to do this all on our own. Perhaps it is bigger than just us two individuals. The governments have gotten involved. Since the 1960’s the United Way has worked toward what they call Social Equity. Are We no longer able to be considered equal if we are not treated equally by the government? I think that is where this Social Equity come in.
What is Social Equity?
According to the United Way, which was the initiator of this concept, Social equity starts with equity. Equity is the quality of being fair and impartial. Social equity is impartiality, fairness, and justice for all.. Social equity takes into account systemic inequalities to ensure everyone in a community has access to the same opportunities and outcomes. Equity of all kinds acknowledges that inequalities exist and works to eliminate them.
Social equity is, as defined by the National Academy of Public Administration, “the fair, just and equitable management of all institutions serving the public directly or by contract; and the fair and equitable distribution of public services, and implementation of public policy; and the commitment to promote fairness, justice, and equity in the formation of public policy.
Equity – Equal Use for Equal Needs.
This new concept is meant to be sure government allocates all resources equally to all people – to all neighborhoods. If all people within a municipality pay equal taxes to the government, they should have equal amenities. However, not all neighborhoods want the same amenities. Do we really want every neighborhood to look the same? No, of course not. But suppose the golf courses in one neighborhood cost more than the blacktop basketball courts in another neighborhood. Each neighborhood may have what it wants but is it equitable?? No.
Complex Ideas Can’t Solve It
These are very complex ideas. My niece is a doctoral student who has spent six years studying these complex issues in her course in Public Administration. I have just touched on them here as I try to put together my essay about We The People. I think what is important here is that we remember to be kind to each other. To treat each other with respect. To admit to ourselves that not everyone thinks the same way as I think. That doesn’t make what I think right or wrong — it is just different — and We The People gives me the right to be different as long as I don’t infringe upon anyone else’s rights.
Conclusion
So if we all start today by being kind to each other. Helping others when we can and graciously accepting help when we need it. I think we can still have this awesome nation that our forefathers set forth in 1776 for us — We The People. Let us go forth this weekend to celebrate this awesome freedom we have and work hard to keep it!!! God Bless America!!
#4thofJuly #democracy #declarationofindependence #constitution of United States