“Our Country was founded on Dissent!”

 The reaction of Ann, a  friend of the Operadem, to a yard sign in New York

Ann was reading a homemade yard-sign proclaiming “Dissent is Patriotic,” posted in front of a house in upstate New York.  She is right. Our country was built on a solid foundation of dissent.  

In a recent survey, 24% of respondents couldn’t identify the country from whom we won our independence.  Americans see the founders as bewigged men signing the Declaration of Independence and then going home to idle away the time to the inevitable victory at Yorktown, after which George Washington becomes the first President. Other than Jefferson, best known for his memorial and Sally Hemmings, there were no Presidents until Abraham Lincoln, who saved the Union for Teddy Roosevelt of the Rough Riders.

So it is not surprising the hard, sharp edge of our revolutionary past is hidden under store sales and fireworks. 

But, it was the sharp knife of dissent, that carved our nation out of the British Empire.  The revolution started because the British Government didn’t listen to dissent. They viewed the dissenting colonialists as a minority, in a colony full of loyalists.  

The heavy handed reaction of Britain to the patriots began to unify the colonies into a country.  With large English armies roving the country, carrying out a scorched earth policy, Americans began to unify around the revolution and the concept of a new nation.  

What began as dissent from the British government ended in the creation of a new nation.

Throughout the years of the Articles of Confederation, the new American government drifted and after 11 years was non-functioning. Again dissenters took over and drafted a new government to overthrow and replace the old. 

But, the Constitution’s ratification was not a foregone conclusion.  Dissenters, who opposed its ratification - extracted a price for their support.  That price was a package of amendments that became the Bill of Rights, which guarantees dissent can continue and not be seen as treason. 

Dissent was enshrined in the constitution.

Since its ratification, most of the changes to the constitution have come about as a result of some national trauma and debate.  Whether it was giving women and eighteen year olds the right to vote, the great Civil War amendments, or even something as technical as how the Vice President is elected and appointed, the constitution was changed by open honest dissent.  

Dissent is not only patriotic it is vital.  It is our right and duty to speak up for what we see needs to be changed in our government.

Dissent is why America has been able to grow, adapt and in some cases drive change in the world.  Countries that don’t allow dissent, wither and die of their own weight and encrustations.

As we watch fireworks, wave flags - and yes go shopping - we need to remember the greatest patriotic act we can do to keep this country alive and moving forward is an act of dissent.