The Jan. 6th Committee began public hearings last night. The committee Chairman and Co-Chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson and Rep. Liz Cheney respectively did a very good job of laying out the findings to date and setting the stage for the subsequent hearings next week. The video’s were a stark reminder of what happened 18 months ago. Whether one is a Democrat or Republican, it needs to be understood that we were one person away from our Constitution being violated in such a way as to extend the certification of the 2020 election. The likely results of that extension would have been a second term for the former President. This committee seems capable of explaining this to us in an understandable way and we should pay attention.

The Preamble to our Constitution reads, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Frankly, I have not met an American who does not support these statements or, at least, these concepts. These are powerful words aimed at defining the source of the power of government and the purposes of a government established by the people. Following this preamble is written a step by step document establishing a government meant to fulfill these statements in a manner consistent with its goals. Twenty some Amendments further establish our rights as a people, citizens of a republic, and further definition of all manner of activities are defined by legislation and laws enacted for the Peoples benefit by Congress. This is the framework of the United States of America that has benefitted generations of Americans. Today we are experiencing a concerted effort attacking these principles and institutions.

The physical expression of this attack played out on January 6, 2021. Clearly, crimes were committed, about 840 people have been charged with crimes to date with more to come. It could be that crimes were committed by officials in the government up to and including the President of the United States. The wheels of justice turn slowly and those prosecuted are not always found guilty and those found guilty may not get the punishment deserved. This is not the purvey of the Jan 6th Committee, it has no power to prosecute. The Jan. 6th hearings are for you and me to learn what happened, to form our own judgements as to the culpability of the characters who got us in this mess. To render our judgement at the ballot box.

Those among us who cherish “the Blessings of Liberty” must take a deep breath and consider just what the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers, Republican Congressmen, Republican Senators and the President of the United States were attempting after the election of Nov. 2020. The committee looks to be determined to produce the facts. Our duty to “ourselves and our Posterity” is to listen, learn and react accordingly.

“We the People of the United States” may well want a fascist style dictatorship and be willing to vote for it. This is really at the center of the cultural and political war we are fighting today. I am not sure anymore of which path we will choose. However; I am certain that the decision on our future path should be made by an enlightened electorate. The Jan. 6th Committee is giving us the opportunity to educate ourselves we should at least listen.

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