I am sorting through stacks of old files and paperwork. There is so much that needs to be kept for different, specified, lengths of time even after a person dies. That being said, it is simply an excuse for some of the stacks of papers residing on and in the desk that resides in my laundry room. It has been long enough since various relations died and their estates have settled that I can trash a lot of papers and records. It has been long enough, too, that I can emotionally let go of certain records, or sometimes just simple notes. As I was filling bags with most of this, some pieces of paper fell onto my table. They have printed on them The Bill of Rights, which are the first ten amendments of the Constitution of the United States Constitution.and the Powers and Duties of the President from the same Constitution. All of this information fits, with generous spacing, printed on one side, on only three 8 by 11 inch paper. The writing is simple and straight forward. Perhaps my late husband wanted it to fall into my hands, in light of all the bru-ha-ha surrounding recent politics in the US. I miss his very intelligent humor at times like this, his irony and sarcasm.

So I reread this simply stated paradigm of government with great appreciation. This country will survive the current upheaval because the foundation is simple and strong. We still struggle in the United States to live up to the idea of freedom for all. But we are on the right path. It has been particularly reassuring to read our basic document. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets forth participatory government as a basic human right. Article 21 of the Declaration states, "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives." It is a balancing of many, many needs, wants and viewpoints. "Human rights must be made a reality, not an idealistic dream." L. Ron Hubbard.
YouthforHumanRights.org