Blog 3905 – 08.02.2026

Right or Wrong

When I was a young man serving in the military over fifty years ago during a very unpopular war there were a couple a popular bumper stickers that read, “America Love It or Leave It” and “My Country Right or Wrong.” I think those two bumper stickers were unpatriotic and inconsistent with the Constitution which the writers expressed purpose was “in order to form a more perfect union.” Several states declared they would not ratify the Constitution unless there were first attached to it a Bill of Rights. The first of the tenth amendments that came to be known as The Bill of Rights details five freedoms.

The First Amendment declares five freedoms, number two of which is freedom of speech, the freedom to disagree withe the government without being censored or punished by the government. This is a precious right and privilege. 

Today we are involved in another unpopular foreign war. The minority who favor it are pulling out their old bumper stickers and trying to convince a majority to keep the war going which is their right under the First Amendment. In a Representative Democracy the majority gets to decide. And when those representatives fail to represent the will of the people choosing to vote their conscience or to be influenced by lobbyists, super pacs, or corporate interests they can and should be replaced, as should a President who puts his own self-interest above that of the people.

These elected representatives and those appointed and approved by them are not a ruling class, but merely public servants answering to the will of people they are there to represent.

They all take an oath to support, defend and uphold the Constitution that clearly states who “the boss” truly is. President Trump likes to think of himself as the big boss, but he is not. We fired him once though he refuses to admit that fact. We the people can fire him again by firing those representatives who fail to listen to the majority. 

President Nixon resigned rather than be impeached and removed from office. Since then President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House, but not convicted by the Senate and President Trump in his first term was impeached by the House twice but not convicted by the Senate. If the Democrats can take the House and the Senate this November, the third time may indeed be the charm.

I do not say “America Love It or Leave It.” I say if you love this country stay and make it the best it can be. I do not say, “My Country Right or Wrong.” I say as citizens it is our duty to stand up for what is right and against what is wrong as we are able to discern the difference.

Your friend, fellow traveler, free speech advocate, and registered voter,

David James White