The founding fathers conceived the United States of America out of their desire to escape Great Britain’s heavy-handed governance. They justifiably felt that the Crown was too intrusive and too oppressive. The colonists were – just as they were back in their homeland - heavily taxed, denied the pursuit of freedom and completely silenced when it came to legislative affairs. They and other Brits had become beholden to their government.

Not wanting to live under such tyranny, and intent on guaranteeing that no one else suffered the same, they founded this great nation under the basic yet utterly profound pretense that the people control the government, rather than the other way around. This tenet was codified in the Declaration of Independence through this timeless phrase: "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their Powers from the Consent of the Governed."

Such a belief was in stark contrast to not only British rule but also that of most organized societies since the dawn of time, from nomadic tribes to the world’s greatest empires. As a direct result of this newfound self-rule Americans could pursue happiness and liberty virtually unabated. This right to freedom was at the time (and still is) deemed a natural right, granted to all by a higher power, be it The Creator or Man’s intrinsically good nature. Despite being natural and essential to one’s existence, true liberty was quite amazingly available only here. Basically, America was by design a Heaven on Earth.

This position still holds true to this day. Centuries later, America is still far and away the best exemplification of a free society. Realize, though, that this is not a guaranteed comfort. We as Americans can only maintain this great nation through participation in legislative affairs. This does not mean that one needs to run for office. All it means and requires is that the citizens pay attention to how their lives are impacted by government and then - based upon acceptance or displeasure – make their voices heard in the electoral process. After all, our affairs are all controlled by the consent of the governed.

Unfortunately, over the years many have lost sight of this. Less and less people exercise their right to vote, taking America and freedom for granted while accepting the status quo. They fail to see that the right to vote essentially dictates all other rights. Such a wayward mindset will ultimately destroy America, taking the power from the people and placing it into the hands of the government. Oppressive government rule can and will wipe out all rights, even those identified as being God-given.

History has proved that all great societies collapse or fade away. In most cases it is because the people became secondary rather than primary. We or our descendants do not need America to become one of these fatalities.

This demise can be prevented – and America saved - with your help.

In next week’s general election many people will do the patriotic thing and exercise their right to vote. While this occurs many more people will decline their obligation. You will know many such people, those who consider going to the polls a chore and struggle to make to time for it or to put-in the efforts necessary to make an informed decision.

You yourself may even be one of these souls.

If this is the case, a truer path must be chosen. It is imperative that you exercise your right to vote in an effort to maintain all other rights. It is as equally important that you influence other people to do the same. Let it be known that we the people control America and all that it represents. Not participating in this and every election gives away this control and could, in the end, give away the very extraordinary way of life that you, your children, and their children all rightly deserve.