Letters to the Editor
To the editor,
In an 1826 letter, Thomas Jefferson asserted, “… The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately ... ”
In this comment, he was metaphorically emphasizing the principle that “all men are created equal” —earlier words from our Declaration of Independence.
Jefferson’s words echo like the “shot heard ’round the world” for all truly dedicated to personal liberty.
Regrettably, that echo seems to fade into deafening silence for some who gain seats of power. Many are left wondering why…
British Lord Acton famously opined that “all power tends to corrupt, and absolute power tends to corrupt absolutely.” Sadly, this somber assessment of human nature seems far too applicable to more than a few of those who wield power.
Notwithstanding this assessment, it is important to note there are antidotes to the corruption in Acton’s citation of the effects of power. Chief among these antidotes is the power holder’s strength of character.
Additionally, that character must be grounded in an educated, sincere belief that there is a superior moral authority. Without such belief, man, not God, becomes the ultimate judge of whether government actions are moral or immoral.
It is true that in America, separation of church and state requires that government may not favor any religion over another.
However, every major world religion condemns bearing false witness, cheating, stealing, murder, and child abuse, among many other actions. In fact, our republic’s first president, George Washington, noted that “Religion and morality are the essential pillars of civil society.”
Allowing children access to pornography is, quite simply, immoral child abuse! Frankly, it results from character failure due to Lord Acton’s cited corruption of power.
Therefore, we must demand that our public servants on library boards protect our children from such immorality!
John D. Ragan
Oak Ridge
