By Sue Bergeron |
July 29: I have an affinity for Philly, having grown up just a few miles from there. When I was a child I loved visiting Independance Hall, the Franklin Mint and all things Franklin. There are too many fascinating things about Old Ben to mention here. One thing I will mention is that even though he only had two years of formal schooling, this self-taught scholar went on to found the University of Pennsylvannia. Take that, Trump. (Apparently, according to Trump's niece, Mr. "Very Stable Genius" had to cheat his SATs to get accepted into that university). Franklin would go on to receive honorary degrees from five major universities.
Before anyone should get their knickers in a twist over yet another founding father being exposed for being a slave owner, it is true that history tells us Franklin owned two slaves at one time but freed them as he came to view slavery as the horrible institution it is. He became President of the Pennsylvannia Abolishionist Society in 1787 and presented a petition to Congress sometime around 1790 seeking to grant liberty to "...those unhappy men who alone in this land of freedom are degraded into perpetual bondage." There are a lot of old statues that need to go but I sure hope nobody throws any statues of Ben Franklin into the Delaware River.
With every attempt to put down peaceful and legal demonstrations of the American people, Trump is pushing the American landscape closer to what infamous serial killer Charlie Manson's dream of "Helter Skelter" looked like---a race war that would result in a cult rising up out of the chaos to take control and rule over our nation. If we want to stop tyrrany from happening we must elect Joe Biden on November 3rd. It is our last hope for saving our republic from something Ben Frankin warned us about 237 years ago. Franklin's most famous quote, heard often these days is "...A republic if you can keep it." But there's more to it! It's a legendary quote that's never been authenticated in Franklin's writings or in newspaper accounts of the times. Recently, author Evan Andrews reported new research which has unveiled older records from James McHenry dating from 1803 that actually attribute the quote being mentioned to a Mrs. Elizabeth Powell, the wife of Philadephia Mayor Samuel Henry Powell, in her home, not outside Independance Hall. In McHenry's version Mrs. Powell asks Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got?---a republic or a monarchy?" to which Franklin retorts, "A republic, if you can keep it." But then the exchange continues: "And why not keep it?" Mrs. Powell then asks. Franklin replies, "Because the people, on tasting the dish, are always disposed to eat more of it than does them good."
Time is running out, but there are two things every citizen can do now to help Joe Biden win while still keeping themselves safe: Encourage everyone you know to register to vote, and assist people in getting the information they need to vote early wherever that option is available. Check now to make sure your information is up to date at your local Board of Canvassers. Make phone calls to remind friends about this. Mask up and hang flyers wherever practical, to remind people to register now. If you plan to vote by mail: Many people believe they can just order an absentee ballot in the mail but this is not exactly true. One has to order an application for an absentee ballot. Get that info out by using the internet, using flyers, making phonecalls. Here's a tip for hanging flyers: If you're going to hang them outdoors, such as on telephone poles, weather-proof them in plastic sheet protectors available at stationary stores. Order supplies online or use curb-side pick-up to protect yourself. We must combat voter suppression. Contact FairFight.com for more information about voter protection teams.
Here's another Franklin quote to consider in these times. Shortly after George Washington was elected as our first President of the United States Franklin said this: "The first man put at the helm will be a good one. Nobody knows what sort may come afterwards." But people tend to leave off the last half of that quote, as well, and the most important information is in the last part of the quote! "...The executive will always be increasing until it ends in a monarchy." It might turn out worse than Ben Franklin ever imagined. With henchmen like William G. Barr pushing the Unitary Executive Theory to the farthest extremes we've ever seen, Trump may blow right by monarchy and keep going all the way to Fascism.
I will continue to outline many safe ways people can still help Joe get elected, even though traditional methods of campaigning are largely closed off to us in this pandemic. We have difficult challenges, but the risk of losing this battle is too great. We must not be resigned to sit by idly and watch as the glutton Trump gobbles up a tasty dish of pure unbridled power in his attempt to hijack our republic, one that Americans fought and bled for in the pursuit of living free and happy lives. Let's keep this republic, folks.
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