We Shall Overcome. LBJ. March 15, 1965

The raison d’être for ordaining and establishing the constitution for the United States of America—way back in in 1787 & 1788—was to:

• secure the Blessings of Liberty
• establish Justice
• form a more perfect Union

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Extracts from LBJ's "We Shall Overcome" — March 15, 1965

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Sadly for Democracy, sadly for Liberty for All, sadly for Justice and Equality for All, there seems to be a concerted and coordinated effort to roll back voting gains that have been decades and centuries in the making.

I recently read this: Newly unveiled bills to suppress votes seem to surface every other day. Right now, conservatives are spearheading 250+ restrictive voting bills.

What’s going on? It seems that, under the specious label of Election Integrity, a ruling minority is intent on gaming the system to preserve power. Homing in on inbuilt advantages—conferred by the (1) electoral college system, (2) two Senators per state system, (3) gerrymandering, (4) compositions of state legislatures and (5) increasing politicization of the judiciary—this voting-suppression effort is gaining momentum.

To those in favor of these developments, please let me—with malice toward none and charity for all— point you to a cliche and a caution: “Be careful what you wish for, it might just come true.”

This can only end badly. Long term or short term—this will end badly.

• Long term—this will end badly for the ruling minority which will inevitably morph into illegitimate minority rule, which will then be followed by the torment of having to defend the indefensible.
• Short term—this will end badly for the outmaneuvered and disenfranchised majority, who will inevitably withdraw the greatest gift citizens can give their country. And what is this greatest gift? It is a feeling. A feeling of devotion to ideals. Ideals that transcend differences and challenges. Ideals of Liberty and Justice for All. A devotion to the ideal of an ever-onward march Towards a More Perfect Union. And much more …
• Long term—this will end badly for democracy. I never imagined this could happen, but occasionally I wonder if this form of government of the people, by the people, for the people shall indeed perish from the earth. It’s happened in the past in Greece and Rome. It’s already happened elsewhere. Authoritarians, dictators, and kleptocrats masquerading as Presidents. Minority rule shielded by sham or illiberal democracies. 

To reiterate: The raison d’être for ordaining and establishing the constitution for the United States of America—way back in in 1787 & 1788—was to:

• form a more perfect Union
• establish Justice
• insure domestic Tranquility
• provide for the common defence
• promote the general Welfare
• secure the Blessings of Liberty

It’s going to take the communication folk and the spin-masters—our fellow citizens and partners in democracy—some serious prestidigitation and verbal gymnastics to equate the emerging bills with the intent of the constitution framers. Willfully, or with willful blindness, these bills and their backers may well end up crucifying our democracy. Oh ... forgive them, for they know not what they do ... Enough said.

To reconnect with the feeling and intent of the framers of our constitution, may I suggest listening to one of the great American Presidential orations. https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/lbjweshallovercome.htm

On March 15, 1965, as the nation reeled from the "Bloody Sunday" beatings of civil rights marchers in Selma, Ala., President Lyndon B. Johnson made a stirring call upon Congress to ensure the voting rights of black Americans.

Historians widely regard this “We Shall Overcome” speech, as one of the greatest presidential orations in American history. The "American Rhetoric" website ranks this as the #10 top American speech from the last century. https://www.americanrhetoric.com/top100speechesall.html

The speech has an inspiring backstory too. It was written in 8 hours by Richard Goodwin, who was in his early 30s. It has even been reported that “Goodwin held on to a speech until the last moment, to prevent the speaker from messing around with it.” https://www.wbur.org/news/2014/03/14/johnson-goodwin-civil-rights-speech