Commentary: 1776 America parallels what we see in Costa Mesa today
As the anniversary of our country’s independence draws near, I see some disturbing similarities facing Costa Mesa today as were present in 1776.
The Declaration of Independence establishes these truths and rights ensuring a quality of life for all Americans.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” the document reads. “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute a new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”
The declaration speaks to what is egregious, and there are a few conditions that stand out to me in comparison to life and governing in Costa Mesa today.
In 1776, in reference to King George III, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “He has refused his assent to laws the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.” Today, Costa Mesa faces an increase in crime, growing numbers of homeless, diminishing open space, increased traffic and looming density development that may exacerbate these existing conditions.
In 1776, “He has made judges dependent on his will alone for the tenure of their offices and the amount of payment of their salaries.” In 2011, more than 200 city employees were handed pink slips. The result was tumultuous and legally found to be in error. This action unsettled the city workforce, and to this day it has not recovered.
In 1776, “He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.” Today, in Costa Mesa council chambers, public comments by residents are discouraged and informal outside meetings, such as meeting council members for coffee or walks away from public recordings, are being encouraged.
In 1776, “For suspending our own legislative and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.” Today, in Costa Mesa, lack of responsiveness by our council majority has caused the residents to take into their own hands the submission of two initiatives.
In 1776, “He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns and destroyed the lives of our people.” Today, in Costa Mesa, I believe our ability to defend against crime is hindered, homes are burglarized, homeless fill our parks, traffic has increased, and density development looms in our future, all which impede quality of life.
In 1776, “In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.” Today, when residents with opposing views speak at council meetings, they are often belittled, denigrated and scorned.
Our Founding Fathers invoked these rights for all of us. We need to be engaged, informed, and we must all vote in our elections to ensure the tradition of our Constitution continues and that our rights remain secure for ourselves and future generations.
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LAURENE KEANE lives in Costa Mesa.