Why are people trying to change our country? Why are people trying to change the foundations our country was built on?

Our forefathers set forth a constitution with laws to follow based on the experience for the rule the British had over America at the time of the Revolutionary War.

I think that it is wrong to try to completely change what America was founded on. It appears parts of the government want to wipe out our Constitution. As the next generation in this country, I feel we’re being conditioned to believe that government should take care of us, by leaders offering to buy our votes with bigger handouts.

Founding father Thomas Jefferson gave us warnings about the kind of leadership we are witnessing today. He said when the government fears the people, there is liberty; when the people fear the government, there is tyranny. So, tell me why our society does not see that our government is attempting to change us from a democracy with freedom to a socialist or communist society which will lead us to be dependent on the government giving them more power over us.

Our society seems to think that equality for all — where we are all on a level playing field — is the way to go. This was introduced when everyone got a participation trophies instead of clearly teaching my generation that there is a winner and a loser in real life.

While equality is not a bad thing, it comes with some sacrifices of my liberties. Liberty allows me the freedom to do what I want, provided I don’t violate others and their personal property.

Our country was founded with a delicate balance of these in mind between liberty and equality. The original formula set forth for this has changed with time, but the basis provided by the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence remain the same today.

Peyton Brown

Salisbury