Today’s automatic weapons fire multiple shots in a matter of seconds. The writers of the constitution could not be expected to imagine this difference. They provided an amendment process in order to correct the constitution based on changes over time.

To think our founding fathers felt that everyone had a right to an automatic weapon which can fire 20+ rounds in less than a minute is just plan wrong. They could not have imagined the existence of such a weapon.

Republicans want to go back to the good ole days. Democrats advocate building a better future. Remembering the good ole days is important, but only through clear glasses which also see the imperfections.

Dr Martin Luther King was about change.

One of my bosses quoted; “Change is inevitable, people are allergic to change.” Our founding fathers wrote “all people are created equal” in our Declaration of Independence. We must include everyone in “all people” to live up to this high ideal. Any talk about critical race theory rewriting history and getting back to our historic roots is mean spirited and unjust.

The hiring practices of our major sports leagues demonstrate that minorities are not treated fairly. We have a racist present as well as a past. Limiting discussion about the roots of racism is not a solution, it is a codification of our history into the present and future.

But of course that is the desire of the current Republican base.

I chose to wear a mask. While I would prefer to not be militant about my choice, I do believe that anyone without a mask should respect my choice and stay away! That is the only way I’ll respect your choice to not wear a mask.

It is time to reject socialism and liberal as dirty words for our economy. It is time to recognize that many Republicans no longer believe that “all men our created equal” and that our democracy is under attack.

The true dirty words are autocracy and in many cases capitalism.

The republicans have been able to define liberal and socialism in a negative light. For me I want a democracy. There are situations where capitalism works. There are others, if “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”

This quote is the beginning of the preamble of the Constitution. It is the perfect mission statement for our democracy. In interpreting the constitution all the articles and amendments should be viewed in the light of the preamble. Every type of legislation should reflect the mission statement.

The very preamble states we formed this government to promote the common good. As a country we have basic needs to provide a life and opportunity. We have tried capitalism, and in many cases this has failed us. It is time to return to our roots and embrace socialism for these basic needs.