By John Johnson, II
johnjohnson0527@gmail.com
“Democracy’s Survival Absent Its People’s Integrity Is As perilous As Earth’s Survival Absent Climate change!” John Johnson II, 09/19/23
America’s democracy is now facing a mortal enemy from within. Regrettably, it’s Republican Congresspersons, who behave as anti-democratic domestic terrorists, and kowtow to former president Trump. This enemy is far more dangerous than even the past Confederacy. They can troll the halls of Congress and weaponize the House of Representative investigative powers. However, they’re no match for the Heroic Knights of Integrity.
Despite all the guard rails put in place by the Founding Fathers to protect our democracy, they lamented knowing that the single most invaluable element to safeguard America’s “republic” would be the integrity of its elected officials. Yet they crafted our Constitution, added the Bill of Rights, gave us the Declaration of Independence, and added the Supreme Court. Again, they couldn’t ensure integrity.
For the Founding Fathers, too, were flawed men lacking morality and sincere compassion for human rights. With this disposition, these less than righteous men retained an institution that would enslave Black people for 246 years. Yet it was the integrity and determination of former president Lincoln, the voice of abolitionist Fredrick Douglas, and the unmitigated courage of Sojourner Truth, and countless others, who helped end the inhumane bondages of slavery.
The U.S. Constitution, Supreme Court, lower State, and local courts are mere deceitful symbols of democratic institutions in the absence of integrity. Thus, all should ask what’s the definition of integrity, this intangible lofty quality? Merriam Webster defines integrity as, “incorruptibility, and firm adherence to a code of moral values, such as honesty.”
Given the preceding information, hopefully readers can understand and appreciate the significance of integrity to the survival of democracy. Also, it’s important to note that thus far, our democracy’s survival has been due to “Heroic Knights of Integrity.
The resonating question now is, “Who are these Heroic Knights of Integrity?” Even though not named as such, they’ve always been in sight. The best definition or characterization is that it’s those Court judges, legislators, and ordinary people seen and yet unseen who stand defiantly for righteousness and the rule of law. They act in this manner despite insurmountable pressure to do otherwise.
Using the definition/characterization cited above, let’s apply it to the January 6, 2021, insurrectionists, and the subsequent actions of Republican Congresspersons. Former president Trump ignited the Jan./6 insurrection to prevent VP Pence from certifying Biden election as the 46th President. However, VP Pence refused to bow to Trump’s demands and chose to behave as Heroic Knights of Integrity.
Prior to the Jan./6, insurrection, while still president, Trump attempted to coerce Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp as well as Arizona’s former Governor Doug Ducey to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Instead, they too refused and governed like Heroic Knights of Integrity.
Trump, without hesitations, filed 62 judicial litigations attempting to get the 2020 election results overturned. Of the 62 court litigations, 61 failed. The one win only represented a 1.5% success rate. By adhering to the rule of law, these judges stood firm as Heroic Knights of Integrity.
Unfortunately, Trump’s political saga has intensified as results of two epic events; one, his push to become the Republican’s presidential nominee for the 2024 presidential election. And secondly, he’s received four indictments totaling 91, criminal charges.
This pivotal moment on the scales of justice, comes as a result of a small cadre of Heroic Knights of Integrity determined to hold Trump accountable as well as his 19 conspirators. Let it be known that these Heroic knights of Integrity include Jack Smith, Special Investigator; Fani Willis, Fulton County District Attorney; Georgia’s grand jurors; and countless unseen Knights. Regardless of receiving diabolic death threats, these knights, sustained by their integrity, remain undeterred.
Think about it, in America, the world’s greatest democracy, people merely attempting to ensure that it works, live in debilitating fear for their lives. This is no different than people living in countries who live in constant fear of suicide bombers. It’s inhumane to live in America where people threaten to kill you as well as your children because of your integrity.
Now, ultra-right wing white supremacists including Republican Congresspersons, such as Jim Jordan and Josh Hawley, men void of integrity, want to attempt to shield former president Trump from prosecution. Thus far, history has shown that regardless of attempts to overthrow our government, it has prevailed. This survival is due to the democratic values that reside within the American people who choose to become Heroic Knights of Integrity.
Every American has the inalienable rights as well as obligation to join the Heroic Knights of Integrity to defend and protect our democracy. Throughout history our soldiers have without any reservation been willing to sacrifice their lives to preserve the rights, freedoms, and liberties of all Americans. Republicans are only willing to surrender their integrity and sacrifice democracy for power.
How dare Republican Congresspersons and their base of white national supremacists join forces with former president Trump. As an unprincipled and narcissistic person, Trump has proven to be America’s most incompetent and dangerous president.
Certainly, the history of Trump’s presidency along with the Republican Party’s lack of integrity will not only make white children cry, but it just might also make them ashamed of being white.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
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