[Hebrews 11:6]

...when the Bible speaks of "civil authority," as it pertains to America, it means first the Sovereign People, first.

Can't agree. It is quite clear from the context that we are mandated to submit to dictatorships as much as democracies, at least to the extent that their laws do not contradict God's, which of course is the point. "Romans" was written first of all to those living under the authority of Rome's iron fist.

We are the highest ranking authority in our land (and we elect and appoint public servants by o-u-r constitutions).

True, and we have several means to rise up to protest unjust laws. Unless they violate God's law, though, we are bound to obey them.

[unspun]

Thanks; I'd just remind that I said "as it pertains to America...." That is, in America, the People are Caesar, unlike the dictators of Rome, etc. Here, we all are the sovereign authority, not just someone(s) with official titles working in some stone buildings, somewhere.

(And contrary to Totalibertarian revisionism, the People have constitutionally authorized ways of prohibiting people at large from possessing very harmful substances, as we choose.)