By John Cylc

March 24, 2025

In his renowned Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States, summed up the essence, process, and objective of our government in a single, remarkable sentence: “That this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” This profound statement was delivered less than 75 years after the establishment of the federal government, as agreed upon and enshrined in the United States Constitution. Lincoln recognized the necessity of periodically reminding both the citizenry and the government itself of these foundational principles.

In recent times, however, there has been a growing concern among many Americans regarding the fiscal management and priorities of our government. The national deficit has escalated considerably, with substantial sums of public funds being allocated in a manner perceived by some as frivolous or wasteful. At the same time, there has been a notable increase in illegal immigration, resulting in the consumption of resources—such as welfare, food assistance, housing, emergency medical services, and government-provided communication devices—that are funded by taxpayers and intended for the benefit of citizens.

Moreover, significant financial resources are being directed towards foreign nations, cultures, and international initiatives. This includes funding for research projects viewed as either inconsequential or potentially hazardous, such as studies related to coronaviruses conducted in Wuhan, China. Additionally, the government is promoting unconventional ideologies, such as transgenderism, on a global scale. Domestically, both progressive and conservative states have been allowed to accumulate deficits through inefficiencies and misuse of funds, only to be subsequently bailed out by our (federal) resources.

The nation’s infrastructure is exhibiting signs of deterioration, with roads becoming increasingly congested and lacking plans for expansion. Concerns have also arisen regarding the military, where China’s defense expenditures—partially fueled by interest on U.S. debt—are surpassing those of the United States. Also, law enforcement agencies are reportedly underfunded, contributing to a broader narrative of national decline. Many citizens believe that a comprehensive reassessment and realignment of financial priorities are imperative to restore the country’s trajectory.

A disconnect has emerged between the desires of the populace and the actions of elected officials and unelected bureaucrats, who are perceived to be expending public funds on idealistic pursuits, personal projects, and agendas—such as climate change initiatives—that may not align with the will of the people. This has led to a sentiment that the government, as currently constituted, no longer reflects the consent and intent of those it serves, diverging from the Constitutional vision of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.”

 “Of” denotes derivation or origin, indicating that the government stems from the people; “By” signifies agency or authorization, suggesting governance enacted through the people’s will; and “For” indicates purpose, underscoring that the government exists to serve the people’s interests. Many Americans feel that these principles have been eroded.

On November 5, 2024, the electorate sought to reassert these ideals through the re-election of Donald John Trump, a populist candidate, marking his return as the 47th President after previously serving as the 45th. This electoral outcome was widely interpreted as a response to feelings of neglect, disregard, or even intimidation experienced by segments of the population at the hands of an expansive and, in the view of some, corrupted bureaucracy in Washington, D.C. The decision to reinstall a leader perceived as a champion of the people’s voice underscored a collective demand for a government that more faithfully adheres to its foundational mandate—one that originates of, is enacted by, and serves for its citizens, as Lincoln so memorably envisioned.