In 1796, George Washington chose to step down from the presidency, and (with some help from Hamilton and Madison), wrote the “Farewell Address.” Nearly 230 years later, his words have never been more prophetic.
Throughout the address, Washington decried political parties. He tells us that through political parties, individuals will be able to usurp the power from the people. He tells us that enterprising politicians will sow lies about the differences between parties in order to get votes.
But his most apt call out? He tells us that the alternating rule of one party over another puts us on a crash course to despotism. It is inevitable, Washington believed, that in a two-party system one leader will eventually try to elevate himself to absolute power on the ruins of public liberty.
Sorry, Matt Groening, it seems that you aren’t the only one with a crystal ball.
As Americans take to the streets to chant “No Kings,” I wonder if Washington is looking down on us, powdered wig and all, thinking to himself, I warned them, if only they’d have listened.
Now more than ever, it’s time that we did.
It’s time we learned from our founding father when he tells us that we are all first and foremost Americans, rather than members of political parties.
It’s time our elected officials learned that they are representatives of the people, not their party’s ideologies.
And most importantly, it’s time, Donald Trump, that you learn from the first leader of our great nation. As people everywhere cry out against your blatant abuse of governmental power, you should look to the American who had the chance to be king, but chose democracy instead.
Jack Chorley, Salt Lake City
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