A republic, if you can keep it.

A republic, if you can keep it.
Designed to thrive, America is just surviving


Our destiny as a nation is not to just survive but to thrive. That destiny is embedded in our founding principles as the Declaration of Independence, our Constitution and our free market system. But our Founders knew that it would be a challenge to stick to those principles due to the natural tendencies of government.



Recall the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which were held in strict secrecy. Consequently, anxious citizens gathered outside Independence Hall when the proceedings ended in order to learn what had been produced behind closed doors. A Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”

With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”

If we can keep it!

That’s our continuing challenge because there have and will always be forces trying to destroy or weaken our republic. Radical Islamists want to destroy our republic. Progressives in this country want to weaken our republic with bigger and more expensive government, and the selective enforcement of our laws.

As a result, we are in a survival mode with foggy foreign policy, a sluggish economy, insecure borders, heightened tensions between citizens and law enforcement, a heightened mistrust of government agencies and a severe lack of leadership in government.

The obvious solutions are a clear foreign policy, a robust economy, secure borders, increased mutual respect between citizens and law enforcement, trust in government agencies and real leadership in government.

That’s easier said than done, which is why we are in survival mode, rather than thriving economically, socially, militarily and as a world leader.

To “keep it” we must begin to reverse the slide. We can’t change everything instantly, but we can begin an orderly strategy to reverse the tide. That strategy is also easier said than done, but it is doable if enough of “we the people” wake up and step up to the ballot box with the right votes, and speak up to those in office who are abusing our liberties.

Yes, that means electing Republicans to control both chambers of Congress in November 2014, and electing a Republican president in 2016. As I have said and will continue to say, Republican officials are not perfect, but they are better for the preservation of our republic than the deceptive and destructive policies of Democrats in office.

We can win in November if conservatives, independents and undecided voters turn out in November and opt for less government, less taxation and adherence to the Constitution! Staying home is just as much a vote for the weakening of our republic, as it is voting Democrats back into office.

Now that the Labor Day Weekend is behind us, political campaign ads will be unleashed on the public with a fury. As I wrote previously, we must arm people with the truth in order for them to make the right decisions. We are all members of Truth Squad USA, because the lies and deception cannot be contained by one person or one source.

Benjamin Franklin also said this: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

Can we keep this Republic and once again become a thriving nation?

I believe we can!

By Herman Cain