ARCHIVE: The Crisis (2009) Part I, A Call To Action

The Constitutional Alamo ^ | 10/24/09 | Michael Naragon

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“These are the times that try men’s souls,” wrote Thomas Paine in 1776. George Washington read the first of Paine’s Crisis essays to his men at Valley Forge the next winter in order to encourage them in their hardship.

Our current president likes to use the term “crisis” when it gives him and our hearing-impaired Congress the chance to pass some new liberty-robbing legislation. To Mr. Obama, we have an economic crisis, a health care crisis, an environmental crisis, an educational crisis, and so on ad infinitum. His chief-of-staff and secretary of state have both gone on record saying that a good crisis should not go to waste. I heartily agree with that sentiment, though my definition of the true “crisis” in America will differ greatly with that of our esteemed president.

We are in the midst of the most crucial moment of our lifetimes. The United States stands on the brink of oblivion. Critics would claim that to say so is fear-mongering or dangerous paranoia. If reading these words gives you cause to fear, the greater good may be served, so long as that fear turns quickly to righteous anger and then staunch opposition to the movement that would take our nation from us and leave our children destitute.

Make no mistake, do not underestimate the foe. The fight will not be easy. Conquering tyranny, in any form, is never a simple task. The fair-weather patriots or thin-skinned warriors will quickly fade from the battle. But, as Paine exhorted our Founding Fathers, “the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value.”

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Back in June, I wrote a series of essays, paralleling Paine's work, which included open letters to a number of societal groups. In the event you would like to read the other installments of this series, I have posted the links below. They are becoming increasingly relevant as the days pass.

Part II, An Open Letter to the President: http://theconstitutionalalamo.com/2009/06/30/the-crisis-2009-part-ii/

Part III, An Open Letter to the Media: http://theconstitutionalalamo.com/2009/06/30/the-crisis-2009-part-iii/

Part IV, An Open Letter to Democrats: http://theconstitutionalalamo.com/2009/07/01/the-crisis-2009-part-iv/

Part V, An Open Letter to Republicans: http://theconstitutionalalamo.com/2009/07/01/the-crisis-2009-part-v/

Part VI, A Letter to Our Posterity: http://theconstitutionalalamo.com/2009/07/01/the-crisis-2009-part-vi/