Dear Editor,

Have you noticed that there are very few letters to “Reader’s Speak” lately? Why is that? Is it because everyone is OK with the rising prices on gasoline, groceries, clothes, and natural gas? Are they just so giddy over the prospect of Critical Race Theory in our schools, cancel culture, and open borders that they do not feel the need to question policies? Or, is it because some are experiencing “buyers remorse” and can’t admit their vote was a mistake? It is likely none of the above.

There is an old saying that “You don’t appreciate what you have until it is gone.” People are afraid to put their opinions in print lest their words be twisted to evoke labels like racist, sexist, etc. that could endanger family and or property by the “mob mentality? A friend advised me not to put my opinions in writing especially in this “got you” environment. The advice was meant to protect me, but it is my nature to want things fixed or to right a wrong. At some point I hope to meet my creator, and don’t want God to say, “I gave you a brain and a mouth. Why did you not use them to protect the freedoms that I gave to you and all of My people?”

Fear is an awful weapon. It is now being used to curtail the free exchange of ideas and opinions. The real fear, however, is that we will lose our freedom of speech and freedom of religion if we do not Wake Up and Speak Up.

When in doubt consult the Constitution. How were the Founding Fathers able to anticipate and plan for so many of the pitfalls that a new democracy might encounter?

Many had lived under a Monarchy and rejected the bad ideas while modifying and adopting the good ones. They traveled extensively learning from other countries, and were well read on governing history ie. Greek and even tribal ideas that worked.

Thomas Jefferson had an enviable library containing books on world history as well as every conceivable category of his time.

They exchanged ideas and opinions, arguing and persuading on every word and proposal of the Constitution until it was just right–well, almost. They all agreed that slavery was wrong even though many of them had slaves at one time or another. So, why was slavery not abolished in the Constitution? Jefferson fought to keep it out and finally won the others over by arguing that if it was abolished in the document the Southern States would not vote for it and it was more important to secure the Union first. However, here is the genius of their plan. They crafted a process to make changes via amendment as needed. By design the process was not easy and required special voting by all states. That is how we got the Bill of Rights.

The very first amendment guarantees the Freedom of Speech, Religion, and Press. It is Number 1 for a reason. Without those Freedoms we have anarchy, chaos, and no country. One thing the Founding Fathers did not anticipate was a free but “politicized” press that controls what you see, what you hear, and what you do not see. A non-objective Press is like a football game with no referees. FEAR is stopping us from speaking out about this administration loading up all of the illegal immigrants at the boarder without the required court approval then dumping them in any state they want without notice or approval from that State’s authorities. Is any of that legal? Of course not! So why aren’t the reasonable Demarcates questioning this lawlessness? CNN and other left-leaning “news” outlets do not show the videos from or visit the boarder so you can’t question what you don’t know. US citizens are being forced to wear masks again. What good will that do when many of these invaders are COVID positive. Informed citizens SHOULD question and complain about the out-right hypocrisy of this and other policies. Criminals are being released into our communities and we are helpless without our voices. Facebook founder Zuckerberg admitted in an interview that he met with the FBI many times concerning posts on Facebook that they deemed hateful. Since when is censorship the job of the FBI?

Freedom of Religion has been under attack for sometime time world wide. Remember Obama saying, “Conservatives are clinging to their Bibles and Guns?” Well the virus lock down was the perfect time to ramp it up in the USA. Churches were totally shut down while liquor stores and riotous protests were encouraged. Pastors were arrested for having Church outside with worshipers in their cars. Christians, Jews, and others have been physically attacked on the street. It is time for all of us to get back to our places of Worship and pray together. There is power in praying together. That is why the Nazi’s and Communists groups try to dismantle Religions before taking over. Speak Up America!

Joanne Oviatt

Pittsfield, Pa.