There has been much talk lately of civil war.  People ask: Could the United States be on the brink of a Second American Civil War?  Is it even possible?  It is, of course, surpassingly sad that we must even entertain such thoughts, but that is the state of our estrangement.  It is hard to imagine another civil war being fought, structurally speaking.  What two armies would oppose each other with what manner of weapons?

It would certainly be better for the nation if instead we undertook a Second American Revolution.  We need to recommit ourselves to limited government of, by, and for the people.  We need to re-enshrine the rule of law...and equality under the law — instead of putting up with one set of rules for the elites and another for the "deplorables."  If we are to have any hope of slowing down the balkanization of America and stopping the rush to tribalism and chaos, if we are to treat people equally and each individual life with dignity, we must re-establish the primacy of Natural Law.  Because all lives matter.  As the Declaration of Independence states: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  No matter what leftists say, these words have helped lead countless millions around the world out of bondage and into prosperity. It is time that we seriously heeded them again.

The Constitution, our Founding document, the nation's blueprint as it were, has a preamble reading: "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, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."  The first ten amendments to this American operations manual are called the Bill of Rights.  (Meaning rights the people have that government does not and cannot legitimately take away.)  All but the Third are clearly under attack and have essentially been abrogated by the ever swelling federal government.

Amendment I says Congress can make no law preventing the freedom of speech or the free exercise of religion.  Yet conservatives' voices are muzzled, especially on federally financed college campuses, and Christians are routinely harassed and prevented from praying in public.

Amendment II assures us of the right to bear arms — i.e., defend ourselves — and we all know that this is anathema to progressives.

Amendment VI guarantees that "the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury[.]"  Ask President Trump how that's working for him now.  The swamp doesn't care for outsiders — even those in the same national government, whatever their station.

The Tenth Amendment avers that "[t]he powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."  In reality, since the first half of the twentieth century, the federal government has grown and expanded at a rate greater than the rest of the universe, arbitrarily usurping power and running roughshod over both the 50 states and the citizens who reside in them.

Prior to — and throughout — the American Revolution, the colonies' leaders exhibited extraordinary wisdom, courage, and fortitude.  Five of the men who signed the Declaration were imprisoned by the British under brutally harsh conditions.  Several were continually hunted down and had to stay on the run.  No fewer than nine had their homes ransacked and burned.  One lost his son while he was serving in the Revolutionary Army.  Many who had been wealthy were brought to financial ruin.  All in the service of their fellow citizens, their nation, and their God.

Is this conceivable today?  Who can envision a modern-day politician exclaiming that he only regrets that he has but one life to give to his country?  Who would lead troops — literally ride out in front of them in harm's way — for nearly a decade against a foe of overwhelming superiority...and refuse pay for doing so?  Who would honestly state, "Give me liberty or give me death"?  Today's "leaders" are too busy scheming how to retain and enhance their power — and planning how best to market their memoirs upon leaving office so they can line their own coffers with cash and live a life of luxury while purporting to be terribly concerned with all the right issues, such as "climate change" and transgender "rights."

It is too much to ask for a Clinton to have the character of George Washington.  It is too much to ask for an Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to be versed in the history of ancient governments.

It is also likely too much to ask Americans to rededicate themselves to ensuring that government of the people, for the people, by the people doesn't soon perish from the Earth.  But we must do it anyway.  It is time to exchange devolution for revolution.

The Founders created what has been called the "last best hope of Earth."

It is up to us to save it.  Even if we must pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

Image credit: Dover Air Force Base.