Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/12967
4A – Daily News – Monday, July 5, 2010 Opinion From dependence to independence to interdependence D NEWSAILY RED BLUFF TEHAMACOUNTY T H E V O I C E O F T E H A M A C O U N T Y S I N C E 1 8 8 5 Greg Stevens, Publisher gstevens@redbluffdailynews.com Chip Thompson, Editor editor@redbluffdailynews.com Editorial policy The Daily News opinion is expressed in the editorial. The opinions expressed in columns, letters and cartoons are those of the authors and artists. Letter policy The Daily News welcomes let- ters from its readers on timely topics of public interest. All let- ters must be signed and pro- vide the writer’s home street address and home phone num- ber. Anonymous letters, open letters to others, pen names and petition-style letters will not be allowed. Letters should be typed and cannot exceed two double-spaced pages or 500 words. When several letters address the same issue, a cross section of those submit- ted will be considered for publi- cation. Letters will be edited. Letters are published at the discretion of the editor. Mission Statement We believe that a strong com- munity newspaper is essential to a strong community, creating citizens who are better informed and more involved. The Daily News will be the indispensible guide to life and living in Tehama County. We will be the premier provider of local news, information and advertising through our daily newspaper, online edition and other print and Internet vehi- cles. The Daily News will reflect and support the unique identities of Tehama County and its cities; record the history of its com- munities and their people and make a positive difference in the quality of life for the resi- dents and businesses of Tehama County. How to reach us Main office: 527-2151 Classified: 527-2151 Circulation: 527-2151 News tips: 527-2153 Sports: 527-2153 Obituaries: 527-2151 Photo: 527-2153 On the Web www.redbluffdailynews.com Fax Newsroom: 527-9251 Classified: 527-5774 Retail Adv.: 527-5774 Legal Adv.: 527-5774 Business Office: 527-3719 Address 545 Diamond Ave. Red Bluff, CA 96080, or P.O. Box 220 Red Bluff, CA 96080 The evolution of US govern- ment is a marvelous invention of our forefathers that crafted a con- stitution with provisions for amendment and interpretation to fit contemporary realities. The settlers were subjects of British royalty and legal principles of governance until in 1776 we tran- sitioned to a fully independent and autonomous nation, free to define and manifest our own des- tiny. Now some 234 years later this columnist believes the United States must undergo a metamor- phosis to a more global perspec- tive of interdependence that will reduce world tensions and ease human suffering. Recent and rapid advance- ments in technology, science, and spiritual consciousness through- out the world have changed our reality so significantly that it seems irresponsible to cluster our- selves into conclaves fighting those we disagree with so as to protect ourselves from our fears. I know for many that struggle with enemies near and far this sounds like idealistic liberal blather and admit it seems simplistic as I recall the lyrics of the John Lennon song "Imagine." I must agree that most human beings have not yet, and indeed may not in my lifetime, achieved this per- fect consciousness of peace that I believe our creator intends for us to share. Nonetheless my ardent hope is that as our nation continues to evolve we will reopen our hearts and rededicate our intentions to the world as we did during World War II. Now as then much of what we have to offer is our humanity as a still developing nation and our acceptance of persons the world over into our melting-pot of nationalities and heritages. Sadly it seems that we are hardening into a protective and fearful nation of entitled citizens that hold themselves above others as an example of success while mak- ing it increasingly difficult for them to share in our American dream. It is on this particular topic that I look here to Tehama County, where widespread sentiment exists that illegal immigrants are eroding our way of life by engag- ing in crime and leeching on our public assistance programs. While this may be true for partic- ular individuals, I do not think it is any more common or damaging than the fraud and abuse of the public trough caused by legal cit- izens of this great country. Fur- thermore, most migrants I see work diligently in sub-standard conditions to support their fami- lies and better their lot because their home- lands neither support nor employ them. Ever since the astronauts and cam- eras of the 1950s viewed our planet from afar it has become increasingly apparent that the Earth has limited natural resources and that indeed we all are one, at least insofar as we all are born and so far bound to live only upon this orb. Every mother shares a desire that her child grow to be a healthy and happy Richard Mazzucchi Positive Point member of a society with all the opportunities and privileges that the world affords. But most of us clearly know this is not likely to be the case for most, as one’s access to an education, suste- nance, and human rights has all too much to do with where and to whom one happens to be born. Consequently, I find it difficult and callous to deny those that are less fortunate the opportunity to migrate freely where they can work, learn, and better themselves and their communities. In my considered opinion it is no longer defensible for an educated American to ignore or discount the unfair suffering of fellow human beings under the oppression of regimes that deny basic human rights or offer them noth- ing but squalor due to corrupt governance or continuous battles with their neighbors. As priv- ileged and enlightened citizens of the United States of America we should use our resources to ease world tensions by helping others attain similar comforts. This will not erode our quali- ty of life so long as we manifest a consciousness of sus- tainability and personal responsi- bility in our own affairs. Just as we transitioned from a people dependent upon others for gover- nance to an independent nation of tremendous wealth and comfort I hope that now we acknowledge our global interdependence and make the world a better place by reducing our footprint and sharing our bounty. Richard Mazzucchi can be reached at living-green@att.net. Your officials STATE ASSEMBLYMAN — Jim Nielsen (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 4164 P.O. Box 942849, Sacramento 94249; (916) 319-2002; Fax (916) 319- 2102 STATE SENATOR — Sam Aanestad (R), State Capitol Bldg., Room 2054, Sacramen- to, CA 95814. (916) 651-4004; Fax (916) 445-7750 GOVERNOR — Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; (916) 445-2841; Fax (916) 558-3160; E-mail: gover- nor@governor.ca.gov. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE — Wally Herger (R), 2635 Forest Ave. Ste. 100, Chico, CA 95928; 893-8363. U.S.SENATORS — Dianne Feinstein (D), One Post Street, Suite 2450, San Francisco, CA 94104; (415) 393-0707. Fax (415) 393-0710. Barbara Boxer (D), 1700 Montgomery St., Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94111; (415) 403-0100. Fax (202) 224- 0454. The parade, flag, war and independence Commentary While today is the observance of Independence Day, many parades celebrate and honor the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July. Those parades, together with the American flag, proudly borne, call for joyous but reverential reading of "The Flag Goes By," by Henry Holcomb Bennett (1863-1924): Hats off! Along the street there comes, A blare of bugles, a ruffle of drums, A flash of color beneath the sky; Hats off! The flag is passing by! Blue and crimson and white it shines, Over the steel-tipped, ordered lines, Hats off! The colors before us fly; But more than the flag is pass- ing by: Sea-fights and land-fights, grim and great, Fought to make and to save the State: Weary marches and sinking ships; Cheers of victory on dying lips; Days of plenty and years of peace; March of a strong land’s swift increase; Equal justice, right and law, Stately honor and reverend awe: Sign of a nation, great and strong, Toward her people from foreign wrong: Pride and glory and honor all, Live in the colors to stand or fall. The Declaration of Indepen- dence, in addition to being a single physical document, was a process that, unbeknownst to many, began in May of 1775 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Presbyter- ian patriots, incensed over med- dling by the British Anglican church through the Vestry and Marriage Acts of 1769 (which imposed fines on Presbyterian ministers who conducted marriage ceremonies), and outraged over word of blood shed by patriots at Lexington and Concord, revolted. The "citizens" dissolved "the polit- ical bands which have connected us to the mother country," declared "ourselves a free and independent people" pledging "our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor" to the cause of freedom. The relatively calm and deliber- ate process, of writing, voting, signing and printing the Declara- tion of Independence, culminated in public readings up through July 8, 1776. The birth of a new nation, together with the hitherto unuti- lized principles of divinely- inspired self-governance contained in the Declaration, was and remains the essence and spirit of our great nation, as well as that which defines American patrio- tism. The Declaration of Indepen- dence informs our understanding and appreciation of our form of government, and the moral vision outlined by the Founders. "Toward that end they set forth a theory of legitimate government, then demonstrated how far British rule had strayed from that ideal. But their argument served not simply to discredit British rule; in addi- tion, it set the course for future American government. Indeed, for more than two centuries, the ring- ing phrases of the Declaration have inspired countless millions around the world." (Cato Institute) In an unheard-of declaration that begins: "We hold these Truths to be self-evident," the Founders proclaimed that natural law and moral reasoning justified what followed. To this day, our patriotic love for America must have at its core the acceptance of "all Men" made equal by a "Cre- ator" that established their "unalienable Rights" including, but not limited to, "Life, Lib- erty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." All governments observed by Francis Scott Key, inspired our national anthem, the Star Span- gled Banner. The sel- dom-sung 4th verse con- tains immutable and ageless sentiments, of "freemen" standing between their homes and the desolation of war, securing "victory and peace" for "the heav’n rescued land. Don exist "to secure these Rights" and have no "Powers" except by the "Consent of the Gov- erned." The Founders spoke to all future Amer- icans when they wrote that "whenever any Form of Gov- ernment becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government …" Within one and a half paragraphs, our governing inheritance is pro- claimed, and nothing in the rest of the Declaration, the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights supersedes it. The election of 1800 between Adams and Jefferson was an acri- monious but peaceful revolution to reestablish the principle that wide- ly distributed self-governance was our standard – not strong, central and powerful federal rule. Lesson, anyone? Polson The way I see it "Praise the Power that hath made and pre- served us a nation! Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just. And this be our motto: ‘In God is our trust.’ And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave, O’er the land of the free America’s existence as a free and independent nation was not secured until re-defeating the British in the War of 1812. The shelling of Fort McHenry in 1814, and the home of the brave!" I leave you with the words of President Ronald Reagan: "It’s time we asked ourselves if we still know the freedoms intended for us by the Founding Fathers … This idea – that government was beholden to the people, that it had no other source of power – is still the newest, most unique idea in all the long history of man’s relation to man. This is the issue: … Whether we believe in our capac- ity for self-government or whether we abandon the American Revo- lution and confess that a little intellectual elite in a far-distant capital can plan our lives for us better than we can plan them our- selves." Don Polson can be reached by e-mail at donplsn@yahoo.com.