Letters to the editor

On Tuesday, September 17, our nation will celebrate Constitution Day. On that date 237 years ago, 39 of America’s Framers signed the Constitution of the United States. Once ratified by nine of the 13 states, this historical document became the supreme law of the land.

For the first time in human history, it structured a government in which “We the People” rule through our consent – not kings, religious leaders, or tyrants. An essential part of this new government was a “separation of powers” between executive, legislative, and judicial branches – ensuring that no president, legislature, or judge could assume unchecked power.

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, enshrined many of the individual rights bestowed on everyone by their Creator.

Constitution Day is a great time for each of us to re-read the Constitution and research how the separation of powers and individual constitutional rights are now being violated. It is our responsibility to know, understand, and protect the Constitution. The future of our freedom, our children, and our constitutional republic is at stake.

On Oct. 7, 2023, the world woke up to the horrors of a truly barbaric  attack upon the innocent people of our strongest ally in our world’s  most unsettled region. As horrific as those massacres were — nearly as  shocking were the demonstrations in support of the heinous Hamas  butchers emanating from elite college campuses across our nation with  students serving as brainwashed “useful idiot” (as Lenin called them)  models of the indoctrination taking place in our nation’s school  systems. 

It is not a far road to travel from the “diversity, equity, and  inclusion” ideology promoted by the present Summit School District board  of education (rejection of a petition signed by over 2,000 parents  asking for transgender theory not to be taught in K-3 grades) and the  near insane moral decay displayed by those campus activists chanting in  favor of the ideology of “decolonization” the Left is using to condemn  Western culture.  

Don’t believe me — self-described liberal Bari Weiss, a former op-ed  staff editor of The New York Times, blamed the “ideological rot that has  taken root at many of the most important institutions in American life …  the places where young minds are molded” when questioned on this topic.

When we support indoctrination of our children that advances an  “oppressor vs oppressed” mentality, we are also creating resentment,  division and a distraction from the ABCs of learning. Look no further  than the Summit School District’s precipitous drop from “distinction” to  embarrassing percentages of students meeting math and reading standards  in only a few short years as evidence of misplaced priorities.   

In 2022, the people of Virginia — led by parents — woke up and voted  for change — change which placed a value on parental input — the  question we face on Nov. 7 is will the people of Summit County follow  suit?

Thanks, Mr Estill, for bringing readers’ attention to our Summit GOP Women’s website, https://summitgopwomen.org/, and our SummitUp newsletter. We have a great group of women who epitomize our tagline, “Conservatives Caring for Country and Community.” We hope others will visit our website as it contains a wealth of information, resources, and archived issues of SummitUP. One of our main focuses is education – local and national. That includes education about our great nation, its Founding Fathers, the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and why we celebrate Memorial Day and the 4th of July. The April issue lets everyone know of our scholarship awarded to local students.

     We both agree that our students need to be educated without any political agenda. That’s not what is happening. A far-left agenda prevails today; according to student test scores, that doesn’t seem to be working out so well. Our educational focus, and that of some of the organizations mentioned, is not political – it’s helping our students learn without an agenda. Despite your claim, we do understand the meaning and harmful ramifications of critical race theory and loss of parental rights. 

      I also agree that we need two-party representation within our community. The paucity of Republican office holders locally is not due to lack of excellent fiscally conservative or socially moderate candidates. It would benefit everyone to carefully research all candidates and their qualifications before voting, rather than voting strict party lines. Opening the “marketplace of ideas” has many advantages.

Also, please check the accuracy of your reporting. We don’t have a “Donate” button on our Summit GOP Women’s website. Lastly, I’m confused by your column headline since you never really say why “Moms and Parents aren’t always right.” That sounds Orwellian to me and is an insult to every parent in Summit County.

This  month, on September 17, we celebrate Constitution Day, the anniversary  of the signing of the United States Constitution in 1787. This historic  document was built  on the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence – that all  men are created equal and that life, liberty, and the pursuit of  happiness are unalienable rights bestowed on us by our Creator, not by  governments.  

For  236 years our citizens have enjoyed the freedoms guaranteed by the  Constitution, living in a country in which “We the People” rule through  our consent. The first ten  amendments, the Bill of Rights, clearly define our rights and the  limits of government power. 

Unfortunately,  many of our Constitutional rights are in danger. Our cherished First  Amendment rights – freedom of religion, speech, the press, the right of  people peaceably  to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances  – are repeatedly being threatened. This past week, the White House sent  a letter directing the media how they should report the impeachment  inquiry about Biden. Also, this month, the 5th Circuit Court ruled that the  White House, Surgeon General, CDC, and FBI "likely coerced or  significantly encouraged social  media platforms to moderate content" in violation of the First  Amendment. Journalists are being intimidated and asked to reveal their  sources by members of Congress.  

Last  week, New Mexico Governor Grisham signed an emergency order suspending  gun rights for 30 days, in violation of the Second  Amendment. Lawyer/client privilege is under siege. Threats against  Supreme Court justices were made by a prominent Senator, and many in  Congress are threatening to pack the Supreme Court because it doesn’t  rule the way they prefer. 

The U.S. Constitution protects everyone’s God-given rights. We must honor it, uphold it, and show the courage to protect those rights.