The King of America

By Tim Gibbons: Published in High Plains View on June 27, 2008.

“One nation under God, but where says some is the King of America? I'll tell you Friend, he reigns above, and doth not make havoc of mankind like the Royal Brute of Britain...let it be brought forth placed on the divine law, the word of God; let a crown be placed thereon, by which the world may know, that so far as we approve of monarchy, that in America THE LAW IS KING.” - Thomas Paine
Laws created by men can be divided into two categories: Laws of the Sovereigns and Laws of the People. These prior laws, which are the most common are designed solely to protect the interests of the ruling class. No thought is given to justice, save where it assists the monarch in maintaining control.
These laws also encompass religious law, or the laws of God or the laws of the gods. Such laws do not protect a people, nor provide for their well being, but rather, conform the people to the ruling class's interpretation of divine will.
Think for a moment, despite the terror of the September 11 attacks, did America capitulate to Allah's will? Far from it, instead we strapped sword to belt and went to war. On the flip side, did Islam bow to the will of the Christian Crusaders in Medieval times?
Christian law exists for the Christian and Muslim law for the Muslim. The two laws are separate and have no power over the other despite their claims to the contrary. And every attempt by one or the other to enslave a people to their law ends in bloodshed. Ask yourself this, if no-one served God's law, would it have any power?
And if the law is only for tyrants and dictators, then why did Thomas Paine consider the Law to be the true King of America? Because, he wasn't talking about Laws of the Sovereigns, but the Law of the People.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, 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.” -Preamble of the Constitution of the United States.
Our American Constitution is perhaps one of the greatest documents written by man. It gives no credence to gods or faith, but commands the perfection of the American Union through Justice, Peace, Defense and the general welfare of the people through the blessings of Liberty and dedication to the future generations and the course of our great land. The Law of America is the Law of the People.
This law is not without effort, for while the Tyrant's law must be managed by the Tyrant, the People's law must be managed by the people. It is our duty, our pledge as guardians of this law to uphold and protect it so that future generations can take up the burden when they come of age.
As Thomas Jefferson once said, “Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges, and Governors, shall all become wolves.”
Furthermore, the Law of the People can never be forced on another, nor can it even be given as a gift. For by its very nature it requires the effort, devotion and sacrifice of those who desire it.
“He that would make is own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself.” -Thomas Paine
The Law of the People serves one goal, to unite mankind in harmony and equality. Their goal is not service to gods but to the idea that all men have the right to choose their own destiny.
Religious faith is good, but only if it compels a man to become more than what he is, to drive him to the edge and upon reaching it he builds a bridge. Faith that is stagnant is more damning than any sin.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens...There has never been a moment of my life in which I should have relinquished for it the enjoyments of my family, my farm, my friends and books.”
Unity must be our goal, liberty our faith and Law our god. Let righteousness be the pursuit of virtue and not the demands of faith.