I guess I’m impressed mostly by the words of the Declaration that speak of a 'train of abuses and usurpations pursuing invariably the same object' and reducing governance to “absolute despotism,” and it being the public’s right and duty to 'throw off such Government . . .'”

Yes, this entire document is somewhat, but certainly not entirely, out of context. The Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776, read in part as follows—and this part seems to capture the essence of the attitude of those ruled by either a king yesterday or a would-be king today. The Revolution and Constitution followed.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”

These few words from the beginning of the Declaration seem to have lived on to justify generally attention to the direction of our government.

And let’s recall that in that day and age the “Will of the People” was more than settling into the presidency via the Electoral College, losing the popular vote by some 3,000,000. Nor was Trump impeached for mere “light and transient causes.” He has the opportunity of five more years in office and the earth already is burning and flooding around us.

I also found a following line to be a reminder of today’s Border Patrol, especially along the Mexican border (and the ICE agents throughout our cities). “He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.” Yes, yes; I know the difference between legal and illegal residents—but also keep track of the laws that determine which are which, such as the current ban on Muslim immigrants from six more nations.

There will be trolling of these foregoing words, of course, but I go back and read this stuff from time to time—including the Declaration, Constitution, etc. I’m big on the First Amendment—not a big fan of the Second (roughly 32,000 gun deaths per year in the U.S.). The Constitution actually has been amended 27 times, I find.

I guess I’m impressed mostly by the words of the Declaration that speak of a “train of abuses and usurpations pursuing invariably the same object” and reducing governance to “absolute despotism,” and it being the public’s right and duty to “throw off such Government . . .”

Fannie was born in New York and traveled by wagon train to Michigan, where she later married George Camfield. They pioneered on through South Dakota, Alberta and Salem, Oregon. before she settled with family here late in 1931. George died June 3, 1931, in Salem. Fannie died June 4,1952, after she had spent some 20 years of widowhood living with her son Ernest and his wife Mary in Port Townsend.



MEANWHILE, RUINATION CONTINUES.—As the Senate was preparing to officially approve the corruption of Donald Trump, his administration Jan. 30 decided to allow states to cap Medicaid spending for many poor adults. This long-sought gain for conservatives gives states the options of reducing health benefits for millions who gained coverage through Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. The arrangement involves block grants for groups under Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program for the poor created more than 50 years ago in President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society.

“After failing to cut Medicaid in 2017 through congressional action, the Trump administration has consistently tried to achieve the same results through administrative attacks,” pointed out resecutive director Emily Stewart of Community Catalyst, aa consumer group. “With fewer dollars to provide care to millions of people, let alone address current and future health issues CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) is opening the floodgates to allow states to cut benefits and limit services."