I’ve Had Enough

I saw a bumper sticker the other day that read “Had Enough? Vote Democrat”. An ignorant statement like that would typically bring my blood to a boil, but because our God given right to liberty is being replaced by a corrupt system of political correctness, I found myself wondering if it really mattered. I am a life-long conservative Republican who believes in the ideals that made our country great! I am a devout family man who believes in the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman because that is what God intended. My wife and I, along with our three children, are all Christians who believe in the preservation of life, and oppose abortion. And now, according to the elitists of Washington DC, I am a potential threat to society because I am a US Marine Corps veteran who serves God.

Well, the bumper sticker was half right, I have had enough of the limp-wristed leaders of both political parties. The biggest majority of them have abandoned America’s foundation by promoting socialistic and communistic ideals. Democrats never saw an entitlement they did not take, and Republicans continue to talk out of both sides of their mouths by continually increasing the size and scope of government. The Democrats are great at that too, but at least they’re honest about it. Like President Reagan warned, “Government is not the solution to the problem, government is the problem.” We cannot have huge government and abundant freedom simultaneously.

America does not need more politicians, we need patriots and statesmen. We must return to the principles of liberty that our Founding Fathers established for us. No where in the Constitution will you find the word democracy. Despite the propaganda, America was not founded as a democracy, but as a constitutional Republic, a representative form of government with extremely limited powers. These powers were to be confined within the parameters expressly set forth by the supreme law of the land, the Constitution itself. When I enlisted in the US Marine Corps, as well as started my career in law enforcement, I swore an oath before God to uphold that very Constitution. Adolph Hitler once said, “We are freeing men from the responsibilities of freedom, which only a few men can bear.” Our leaders are systematically allowing this to happen by disarming law-abiding American citizens and their right to protect themselves. The Second Amendment is explicity clear about our right to keep and bear arms, yet the far-reaching hand of our oppressive government continues to infringe on that very right.

At a glance, these concerns may seem radical, but keeping my oath and standing up for freedom have always been radical things to do. Remember, our Founding Fathers were all considered radicals because they believed in God and guns. I ran for Sheriff of Johnson County in 2008, because I understand that the most important aspect of the Sheriff’s authority is that he is elected by, for, and of the people. Throughout my campaign I made it very clear that I was not a bureaucrat, and that I had no intentions of staying inside the political mainstream. I was not, nor am I now, interested in the perpetual cesspool of corrupt politics. I’m only interested in keeping my oath and not allowing anyone or anything to violate the rights of my boss, the citizens of Johnson County.

I’ll leave you with this quote from President George Washington, “Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and keystone under independence. To secure peace, security and happiness, the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference – they deserve a place of honor with all that is good.”

Ken Smith is a Lieutenant on the Mission Police Department and US Marine. In 2008 he was a Republican Candidate for Sheriff of Johnson County, Kansas.