In the musical, “1776,” John Adams, frustrated with Congress, looks into the hot Philadelphia sky and laments, “Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?”
This melody represents two things: John Adams had vision and Congress was slow to see it. History is the prelude to the future.
Today America is on the precipice of demise and Congress cannot see it. Even worse, where is our John Adams? Only a visionary will be able to save the United States and renew her vigor.
Americans see it. Americans get it. Americans are lamenting, “Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?” Obviously, the super committee did not, could not or would not.
Obstinance and defiant party lines are not the engines of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. James Madison might even rethink his famous phrase. Faction may be to liberty what air is to fire - but the air is getting rare and faction is smothering Lady Liberty’s torch of hope and opportunity.
Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, while deliberating upon Marbury v. Madison, made a toast during Washington’s Birthday celebration in 1802 and said to, “Those few real patriots who love the people well enough to tell them the truth.”
Most Americans already know the truth and they know that Congress is not being honest, hence the all-time low ratings. A new bumper sticker reads, “I am not hiring until Obama is out of office.”
Is this sentiment a surprise? It accurately states the obvious: Obama is living in denial. The heartbeat of America feels the impact; sluggish arteries are preventing the flow of life.
Marshall and his court’s decision in Marbury v. Madison had a defining impact on the vitality of the Supreme Court, the future of America’s integrity as a “government of laws and not of men,” to quote John Adams, and on the pivotal role that the United States Constitution plays. In the words of Marshall, “the Constitution controls any act repugnant to it.”
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the one defining loyalty a representative is sworn to uphold. Thus, the Constitution is the check and balance that protects the people. Cliff Sloan and David McKean, authors of the enthralling book about Marbury v. Madison, aptly entitled it, “The Great Decision.”
The year 2012 is one great decisions for America. Members of the Supreme Court will make a great decision, not unlike Marbury v. Madison, about a controversial and passionately partisan case.
They will hold Obamacare up to the light of the Constitution. Their decision will have far reaching consequences, drastically effecting American liberties.
The people will make a great decision. At the ballot box, their voice will be heard and the decision will be made - a president who embraces republicanism or socialism.
They will elect a president who endorses either action or inaction, tackles the debt or ignores it, creates a vibrant economy or strangles the economy, and has reverence or irreverence for the Constitution.
Americans will also make a great decision about the legislative branch. They can save the country by electing representatives and senators who are pro-active and willing to make courageous choices. We must elect the “patriots who love the people well enough to tell them the truth.”
The American people have a great decision to make about themselves. The American government is reflective of the choices the American people have made. It is our mirror.
The great decision for Americans is to not only vote the truth but to be able to handle the truth. We must be the patriots who love America enough to not only seek the truth but to live the truth.
“Is anybody there? Does anybody care? Does anybody see what I see?” The great decisions await us.
Examiner contributor Janine Turner is a longtime actress and talk radio show host on KLIF in Dallas.
