Autumn and Ancestor Veneration
October 5, 2026
If you have not already voted, do so! This election may very well be the forecast of what is to come in our Democratic Republic. These may not be your most pressing concerns, however, do give them deep thought. Many feel that the balance of our world is on the ballot.
Critical Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing Who to Vote For:
- Freedom of the Press: Multiple television and radio stations have been purchased by a few news providers are being forced into narrowing their viewpoints and succumbing to censorship by the current administration. Examples like the termination of the Late Show with Steven Colbert and the threats to Jimmy Kimmel being foremost in the news. Language being used by broadcasters on the major news networks is another thing to watch. Examine how reporters, especially female reporters are being addressed and allowed to participate in News Briefings under this administration during Presidential news conferences. Read the First Amendment for explanations of freedom of the press and freedom of speech. This also spills over to freedom of assembly when it comes to public demonstrations and who is allowed to attend the press conferences. It is unconstitutional to bar those you don’t like or take revenge on them for attending. This actually occurred with several major media outlets.
- Freedom of Assembly: There have been numerous public demonstrations against the current administration, all of which were perfectly legal. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives people the right to “petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Both 2025 and 2026 have seen a host of situations that rose to “grievance-worthy.” Shootings by ICE, illegal and immoral actions by the government, federal government and states’ rights conflicting, women’s rights reduced, cutting healthcare and care options, cronyism, nepotism and abuse of power. Freedom of assembly was one of the generators of the Revolution that established this country. We were founded by aired protests and the need for human rights, from the Tea Party in Boston Harbor to the bloody uprising called the Boston Massacre in 1770. This is where it all began.
- The Constitution as our Legal Framework: The current administration appears to only abide by the Constitution when Mr. Trump can profit from it. He blatantly does what he chooses, and fails to remember he is a President of the United States and a servant of the people, not a King. He is an elected official, subject to the three branches of government, not just the one he resides over. He has rolled out over 300 Executive orders since his term began in 2024, 200 of which have already been overturned in court as unconstitutional. He started the war with Iran without the approval of the Congress which is the entity required by the Constitution to initiate wars. Over $800 million was frozen by the administration usage of “pocket rescissions” to stop congressional spending already approved for immigration services, national parks, and climate protections, including our air, water and civil rights. The Congress represents the people’s voice, and that voice must be honored – legally, ethically and morally.
- Human Rights: The Federal Agency which provided food aid worldwide, USAID, was defunded and dissolved. Additionally, they had provided billions of dollars of humanitarian relief of to 130 nations. This has caused famine and issues with infrastructure, disease and contamination worldwide. We will pay for this with the next pandemic.
- What Democracy and Democratic Socialism Really Means: Our country was founded as a democratic republic, which is defined as: “A form of government that combines elements of both a republic (where power rests with the people and their elected representatives, and there is no monarch) and a democracy (where the government is run by the eligible population, typically through free and fair elections)”. Democratic Socialism is defined as: “A political philosophy that supports democracy while advocating for the regulation and control of capitalism with social or public input. There is commitment to democracy, unlike authoritarian or centrally planned socialist models (such as the former Soviet Union and Eastern Block). Democratic socialists view political democracy as essential, both as a means and an end to power for and by the people socially, economically, legally, etc.”
- What Other Democracies Provide For Their Citizens That Our Democratic Republic Currently Does Not:
~ Universal Healthcare (Canada, the U.K., Australia and most European Nations for example) They are not bankrupt and many are more financially sound than the U.S.
~Paid Parental and Maternal Leave: Almost every other developed democracy legally mandates weeks or months of paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents. The U.S. Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) only guarantees unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying workers.
~Constitutional Labor Rights: Many democratic nations enshrine basic worker protections directly into their national constitutions, such as guaranteed minimum standards, paid annual leave, weekly rest periods, and clear rights to strike.
~Mandatory Voting: The Australian democracy legally requires eligible citizens to vote in federal elections to maximize civic participation.
- What Does the Bill of Rights Guarantee? Ask yourself if these rights are being fully guaranteed to all citizens of the United States currently. This includes all people of color, marginalized populations, and all citizens regardless of whether naturalized or birthright: The following is an excerpt from the National Archives regarding the Bill of Rights: “The Bill of Rights is the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution. It spells out Americans’ rights in relation to their government. It guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual—like freedom of speech, press, and religion. It sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States. And it specifies that the enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Here are ten areas of subject matter and the link to the details of the Bill of Rights:
~ The First Amendment: Freedom of speech and the press as well as the right to assembly or gather with a group to protest, allow any individual citizen to follow their right to preferred religious belief and prohibits the government from creating or favoring a preferred religion.
~ The Second Amendment: Is the right to keep and bear arms. It does not allow indiscriminate use of arms when the spirit moves us.
~ The Third Amendment: This amendment prevents government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes.
~ The Fourth Amendment: This bars the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property. This includes ICE and warrantless search and seizure.
~ The Fifth Amendment: This provides several protections for people accused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be started by a grand jury. A person cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) or have property taken away without just compensation. People have the right against self-incrimination and cannot be imprisoned without due process of law (fair procedures and trials).
~ The Sixth Amendment: This amendment provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges. Witnesses must face the accused, and the accused is allowed his or her own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer.
~ The Seventh Amendment: Extends the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases.
~ The Eighth Amendment: This right bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
~ The Ninth Amendment: Outlines that specific rights in the Constitution do not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out. Check your state and local laws.
~The Tenth Amendment: This amendment states that the Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn’t listed, it belongs to the states or to the people. This is enormous.
Here is the link:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights
Please review what has happened in this country in the last nearly two years. Does it fall under any of these portions of our Bill of Rights? Be mindful and informed when you vote. This is our obligation.
- Democracy is Not the Same Thing as Capitalism. Capitalism is: an economic system where private individuals or businesses own the means of production—such as factories, tools, land, and machinery—and operate them for profit. Individuals and corporations can own, buy, sell and use assets and resources. The primary goal of business activity is to generate financial gain and accumulate capital. Prices, production and the distribution of goods are driven by supply and demand rather than any central government planning. Businesses hire workers in exchange for wages, while business owners retain ownership of the goods and profits produced. There is minimal government intervention as markets handle nearly all economic decisions. Democracy is: a form of government in which power and civic responsibility are vested in the people who exercise it either directly or through freely elected representatives. It is very different than Capitalism. Remember, “We the People!” We should never be controlled by billionaire business interests. We should use the Bill of Rights and Constitution as our guiding light.
- An Unsanctioned War Continues: The Georgetown Journal tells us, “The 2026 U.S.–Israeli military campaign against Iran (Operation Epic Fury) is widely characterized as a “non-sanctioned” or legally contested war because it lacks formal congressional authorization in the United States and has drawn accusations of violating international law.” Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress holds the power to declare war, yet lawmakers have not passed a formal declaration of war or a specific “Authorization for Use of Military Force” (AUMF) as of September 2026. This looks like an unsanctioned war to me, and I truly believe we have violated international law to add to the war crimes we are already facing with the death of all the children killed in the bombing of a school early on in this war. We also violated international law by reducing Iran’s energy production resources and citizen infrastructure. Remember this newest death and destruction when you cast your ballot.
This information is a summation. I challenge you to read the documents identified. Look up everything you can find on the issues I have disclosed. Cast your vote according to what is ethical, moral and just, not just party affiliation. Find the evidence you need to vote intelligently. You can find the Constitution and Bill of Rights in app form, online and in your local library all for free. Your life and the life of our country may very well depend on this election’s results.
Respectfully,
Sandra (Sandy) L. Place
