In watching the United States Chemical Safety Board (USCSB/CSB) videos on YouTube, an epiphany occurred. In a safety-first culture, the employees are all responsible for near-misses. The employees are expected to have the ability to act in a manner conducive to and appropriate for the safe operations of their roles. Next, each employee has the power to halt operations if a safety problem is detected or if a better solution presents itself to avoid near-misses and future incidents. In the protection of the US Republic, every citizen has these same two powers for the continuation of liberty and freedom inside the borders of the United States of America.
Your political party is your choice. I will never deny an individual to act as they believe in a free society. Consider though the responsibility each citizen is under to protect this Republic by intentionally acting to avoid electing people who refuse liberty to others, deny freedom, or produce captivity for future generations through their actions. Transcending the ambiguous division between political flavors, we remain citizens charged with protecting the Republic from harm and crimes committed by elected representatives.
For example, President Clinton had an extra-marital affair with Monica Lewinsky, this is a known fact, and this relationship has ruined Monica’s life and defined President Clinton’s presidency. The affair damaged America’s core fabric, showing to the world the callousness of Hillary Clinton in the abuse of women who have come forward to accuse her husband of impropriety, and crimes against this country were committed, and justice was never delivered due to political gamesmanship. Because politicians put politics before protecting this Republic, America has suffered tremendously, and other sex crimes and problems have further deteriorated America’s morals and culture.
Anthony Weiner is a sordid tale with direct connections to the Clinton Machine, more justice not served for the victims or the Republic, and the result has been nothing short of criminal. Sexual impropriety by elected officials is the epitome of, and exemplification of, the definition of sexual harassment; but, too often, the politicians skate on responsibility, accountability, and even receive honors and glory; for more examples, see the Kennedy Family!
Building a safety culture takes work, requires full engagement of every person, regardless of skin color, race, sex, handicap, etc., all must pull together to reduce safety incidents so that everyone can return to hearth and home at the end of the shift, with all appendages intact. Yet, for some reason, the same philosophy is not applied to the Republic, which protects us. The American Republic stands for law, truth, and moral accountability. The Republic begs us to remember, honor, and unite under a single banner, the US Constitution.
While living in Seattle, I had a friend whose foot was crushed from the ankle into his safety toe by a forklift because the forklift operator ignored his ground guide’s commands. Brutal incident caused tremendous pain and injury to the ground guide, my friend, and the operator lost his job for failure to comply. Harsh penalties were issued all around. The company lost, the labor union lost, my friend lost, the forklift operator lost, my friend’s family lost; but, when justice was done being served, mercy was extended as appropriate, compassion was felt, and the people involved possessed an opportunity to make changes and begin anew. To recommit to safety, recommit to a new and better lifestyle and work style, and growth became possible. Had justice not been as harsh as it was, healing could never have been possible, and frustration would have been the watchword. Trust would be forever harmed, creating space for doubt, envy, malice, and other powerful negative emotions to thrive and endure.
Consider Harvey Weinstein’s crimes, compare those to any politician caught in the same act, doing the same crime, for the same purposes, and ask yourself were they treated similarly under the law? The answer you arrive at will dictate the culture you prefer. Myself, I see the politicians being not held to a higher standard but a lesser standard and consider the US Constitution in trouble because of a “One rule for thee, but different for me” mentality. Liberty is always jeopardized when one rule for all is not upheld. Consider Rome, the Army had one rule, slaves a different law, politicians a separate rule, the Caesars had an entirely different rule, and their Republic failed because the “Rule of Law” was destroyed!
Just as a safety culture cannot be “for safety” and at the same time “not care about safety,” the US Constitution cannot be upheld and destroyed simultaneously. Those for upholding the US Constitution, and the Republic of America, will act to exert justice upon those committing crimes and work for a “Rule of Law” just society. They know that under the “Rule of Law,” all are better off, regardless of political belief. Those who would uphold a dual law system do so for personal power, political gain, and the ability to be enforcers of impropriety, also referred to as terrorists, tyrants, and troublemakers.
Politics is too often referred to as a “game.” That axiom has a shelf-life and has passed the expiration date. Politics should never be a “game,” for in degrading political leadership to game pieces, the people’s voice becomes lost, the tyrants, terrorists, and troublemakers gain power, and the US Constitution gets shredded in the process. Worse, a real hazard is brought to the shores of this Republic.
We can do better! We can be better! We need to be better to save this Republic! Thus, I implore the following:
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- Cease allowing yourself to be separated over petty and insignificant divisions. Skin, race, sexual choices that do not infringe upon others’ rights and liberties, handicap, etc., do not matter. In a “Liberty First Culture,” we accept all, and we expect all to shoulder the same burdens to the best of their abilities.
- “Liberty First Culture” requires an all-in mentality. Everyone is being asked to vote smarter, holding all political representatives to a higher moral, ethical, and legal standard as they represent us, not the lobbyists, not the tyrants, not the terrorists, and certainly not the troublemakers.
- A “Liberty First Culture” requires action! See something that threatens the liberty of all, say something, repeat as often as required to get attention, and then act accordingly.
- “Liberty First Culture” demands action in accordance with the law to change the law. We do not give up our liberties just because some hooligan has decided to step over the line to become a terrorist or troublemaker! We, the lovers of liberty and freedom, know the law, follow the law, and demand redress for wrongs through the law.
- A “Liberty First Culture” insists upon unity first, understanding that more can always be accomplished through unified action than through singular action. Refuse the titles thrust upon people to divide and cause friction. Unify under the banner of the US Constitution, and there is room for all here.
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A “Liberty First Culture” is needed right now in America and in every democratically elected society worldwide. Liberty lovers far outnumber the petty thugs, wannabe tyrants, and terrorists, and it is past time for us to take the stand for liberty and freedom. We can make a difference; believe that with your soul and blessed change will come!
© 2021 M. Dave Salisbury
All Rights Reserved
The images used herein were obtained in the public domain; this author holds no copyright to the images displayed.
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