By Jason Dagenhart
Round Table reporter
In the early 16th century colonial settlers of what would become the United States of America settled upon the famous landmark known as Plymouth Rock. These people were of British descent, cast out because they wanted religious freedom from the English crown. The Puritans is what they called themselves, and with this name came responsibility and utmost respect to their religion and deity, God. This respect they had for God and themselves allowed them to decide upon the necessary parts that would govern their new “nation.” The theocratic government of the early United States was born. God made the rules, and the pastors and bishops enforced it.
This government wasn’t that bad in the long run. It kept people in line, the awesome power of God scared people into doing what the pastors wanted, and it kept the scarce communities of the time from falling apart and delving into chaos.
Slowly though, this theocracy diminished and faded away as the Americans won their independence from Great Britain and created their own solid government. The Democratic nation that America is today started after the American Revolution and has become a well-run and well-working nation.
Not all is fine and dandy though. Over the past hundred years there have been numerous political scandals, battles, lies, slander, murders, and so much deceit that it would make Cruella De-Vil look like a harmless Dalmatian puppy.
Look at the history of the U.S.A. There was the Watergate scandal with Nixon, the supposed accusation of Bill Clinton’s promiscuity with his intern, the torture scandal with the Bush administration, George W. Bush had civilian land lines monitored for illegal actions (which in itself is illegal), Randy Cunningham committed bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion, the pentagon paper cover up by Nixon and Johnson, it goes on and on.
The actions and crimes that even political figures commit are atrocious. Aren’t political figures supposed to be role models for the public? No one would have done things like this 300 years ago when America’s democratic government was being created. Sure there might be some misdemeanors, but there is nothing as severe or extreme back then than there is now. The government is as corrupt as the city streets.
How are some of these candidates elected into office? It just seems like they smile through their teeth to create a good impression and once they’re in they bring that smile down and show a whole new face.
I don’t know; it seems like there isn’t much we can do anymore. The people don’t have the power except only to vote. All the power is laid out in the hands of the power-hungry business leaders or the political figures.
In all due respect, they run our country-sometimes not very smoothly, but they do run it- so we should give some sort of respect. Right?
