To the editor:

Since the election many of us are basking in the realization that the last four year nightmare is about to end. That doesn’t mean we can just sit back and relax.

Bringing our nation, state and society back to a Constitutional republic (instead of a mob ruling democracy) is going to take an extreme amount of effort, dedication and involvement. Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines expecting change to just happen.

Every citizen must become responsible for the restitution of our Constitution republic. We have drifted away from that responsibility for far too long. It’s time to become a part of the solution instead of leaving it up to someone else to do it for us. We are guilty of electing our representatives based on nothing more than campaign ads run weeks or days leading up to an election.

Most of us may personally know our township, city and county elected representatives, but how many know the individuals who represent us at high levels of state government, such as House and Senate members? Many don’t. They vote for them because they see the word “incumbent” by the name. They do not know if they are doing a good job or not. That is truly sad and is a big reason we found ourselves in the situation we have had to endure the last four years.

We have allowed those elected to represent us rule with countless regulations, rules, dictates, as well as letting them impose fines, penalties and limitations on our freedoms and liberties. They take advantage of our money to impose taxes and create programs and bureaucracies that are detrimental to our liberty, freedom and property.

Our Constitution is based on the principle that we are to be governed with the “consent” of the governed. By adhering to the sound principles in our original Constitution we can become the envy of the world once again. “We the People” have the power to re-establish the United States as the industrial powerhouse, energy independent and free nation once again.

Let’s make America first and great again.

Roger Baumann

Wabasso