The first government takeover; the takeover of government

When the government was first formed, it was widely understood, but not yet expressed, that government was to be of the people, by the people and for the people.

As government matured, it became more independent.  Less attention by the people was necessary and, less attention was paid.  The people wandered off to make livings, raise families and build a country.

The power of government grew in inverse proportion to the people's interest and involvement. A tipping point was passed and now the people don't tell the the government what to do, the government tells the people what to do.  And how to it, where to do it, and when to do it.

Consider the who, what, where and when of the right to petition the government.

The ultimate outrage; the government took it upon itself to write the rules over people's right disagree with government. And in those rules, revoked the "privilege" of the people to freely petition their government; a Constitutionally protected human right.

Open Meetings law in New Mexico, does not require politicians and public servants to take public comment at public meetings.  The public forum is a "privilege" flowing not from our rights but rather, from their individual beneficence, or not.

What is the point of Constitutional
protection of the human right
to petition one's government,
if there is not a corresponding
obligation on the part of government,
to accept that petition in good faith?

They are not doing us a favor
by listening to us; it is their duty.
They are not doing us a favor in
accepting our petition, it is their duty. 




photo Mark Bralley