From Republic to Corporation: Have We Lost Our Way?
Is the Republic Our Founders Built Fading Away?
“Under God”: A Reminder of America’s True Foundation
In 1954, when “under God” was added to the Pledge of Allegiance, it wasn’t just a political gesture. It was a powerful declaration—a reaffirmation that America’s identity is deeply rooted in faith, freedom, and moral responsibility.
At the height of the Cold War, as America stood in stark contrast to the atheistic ideology of the Soviet Union, our leaders recognized that this battle was more than just political. It was a spiritual one. Adding “under God” to the pledge emphasized that the United States wasn’t merely another nation governed by men, but a nation that acknowledged a higher power as the source of its values and rights.
This principle isn’t new. It’s woven into the very fabric of our nation. The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaims that “all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.”Our founders understood that the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness come from God—not from government.
By adding “under God” to the pledge, Congress and President Eisenhower reminded future generations of this truth. It was a way of saying that America’s strength doesn’t come solely from its military or economic power but from its foundation of faith and moral principles.
But here’s the challenge—are we still living as a nation under God?
Today, as we recite the pledge, we must ask ourselves whether we are honoring that declaration or merely reciting words out of habit. Are we protecting the freedoms that flow from our acknowledgment of God? Are we living out the moral responsibility that comes with that recognition?
If America is to remain “one nation, under God,” we must not only say those words but embody them in our laws, our policies, and our daily lives. Our future depends on remembering where our rights come from and standing firm in the faith that built this nation.
As you say the pledge today, I encourage you to reflect on those two powerful words—“under God.” They’re not just part of our history. They’re a call to action for our future.
Have We Lost Our Way?
Lately, as I recite the Pledge of Allegiance, I’ve been asking myself a hard question: Are we still a constitutional republic, or have we drifted toward what our Founders fought against—communism? Out of curiosity, I asked ChatGPT for the differences between the two, and what I read left me deeply concerned. Our Founders sacrificed life, fortune, and sacred honor to build a nation where rights came from God, not government, and where liberty and justice were protected. But as I reflect on where we are today, I can’t help but wonder—have we lost our way? I invite you to read and decide for yourself.
1. Foundation and Philosophy
✅ Constitutional Republic:
Built on the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and rule of law.
Power originates from the people and is delegated to elected representatives who govern according to a written constitution.
The Constitution protects individual rights that cannot be taken away, even by a majority vote.
Recognizes that rights are given by God (as stated in the Declaration of Independence) and that government exists to secure these rights.
☭ Communism:
Based on the ideology of Marxism, developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
Advocates for a classless, stateless society where all property and means of production are collectively owned.
Views history as a struggle between the ruling class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat), aiming to eliminate private property to establish equality.
Often denies the existence of God or any higher moral authority, promoting atheism as part of its ideology.
2. Government and Power Structure
✅ Constitutional Republic:
Separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches prevents any one branch from gaining too much power.
Checks and balances ensure that power is kept in check, protecting the rights of individuals.
Elected officials govern by the consent of the governed, and their authority is limited by the Constitution.
The government’s primary role is to protect individual rights, not to dictate or control every aspect of life.
☭ Communism:
Typically leads to a one-party system where the state controls all aspects of life—economics, education, media, and even personal beliefs.
Centralized authority is vested in a ruling elite, often led by a dictator or a small group of leaders.
Power is maintained through force, censorship, and suppression of dissent, with little to no checks on government authority.
Individual rights are often sacrificed for the “greater good” of the collective.
3. Role of Property and Economy
✅ Constitutional Republic:
Private property is protected as a fundamental right. Individuals have the freedom to own land, businesses, and accumulate wealth.
The economy is based on free-market principles, where supply and demand drive innovation and growth.
Government involvement is limited, focusing primarily on protecting property rights, enforcing contracts, and ensuring a fair legal system.
☭ Communism:
Private property is abolished and replaced with collective ownership. The state controls all means of production, land, and resources.
Central planning replaces the free market, with the government deciding what is produced, how much is produced, and how resources are distributed.
This often leads to inefficiency, shortages, and a lack of innovation because individuals lack incentives to work harder or create value.
4. Individual Rights vs. Collective Control
✅ Constitutional Republic:
Individual rights such as free speech, religion, and assembly are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution.
Even the majority cannot infringe upon these rights.
Emphasizes personal responsibility, allowing individuals to pursue their own happiness and define their own success.
☭ Communism:
The collective takes priority over the individual. Personal freedoms are often sacrificed for the perceived benefit of society as a whole.
Dissent is not tolerated, and freedom of speech and religion is suppressed.
Individuals are expected to conform to the ideology of the state, with little room for personal choice or expression.
5. Moral Authority and Religious Freedom
✅ Constitutional Republic:
Recognizes that rights come from God, not from the government.
Protects religious freedom and allows individuals to worship, believe, and live according to their faith without state interference.
Encourages a moral society where individuals are guided by a higher authority and moral responsibility.
☭ Communism:
Atheism is often promoted as part of communist ideology. Religion is seen as a threat to state control and often suppressed.
Churches, religious institutions, and faith-based organizations are often persecuted or tightly controlled.
Moral authority is derived from the state, not from God, leading to a breakdown of traditional values and ethics.
6. Outcome and Legacy
✅ Constitutional Republic:
Empowers individuals to pursue prosperity, innovation, and personal growth.
Protects individual liberties while promoting a stable and prosperous society.
Encourages a civil society where people work together through voluntary cooperation rather than coercion.
☭ Communism:
Often leads to poverty, oppression, and human suffering.
Suppresses creativity and productivity, leaving little incentive for individuals to excel.
Creates a culture of fear, control, and dependency on the state, where individuals lose their sense of autonomy and purpose.
Are We Still a Constitutional Republic?
I’ve made this comment more than once during this session—I feel more like a CEO of Idaho, Inc. than a state legislator. The decisions we’re making often feel less about preserving the values of a constitutional republic and more like managing a corporation, where budgets and bureaucracy take priority over protecting the liberties of the people.
Benjamin Franklin famously said, “We have given you a republic—if you can keep it.” But that warning wasn’t just for his generation. It was for us.
So, I have to ask—have we lost our republic?
Are we still a nation where power belongs to the people, where individual rights come from God and not government? Or have we drifted so far that we’ve forgotten the sacrifices our Founders made to secure this great nation?
Are we willing to work, fight, and sacrifice as they did to restore what’s been lost?
The future of our republic depends on that answer.
I had hoped to share more of my personal thoughts from last week, but the events that unfolded here at the state level have weighed heavily on my mind. While we continue the fight to uphold our values and protect our freedoms, this substack will give you a closer look at what took place. It’s a reminder of why our engagement matters — because every decision made in these chambers impacts the future of our state and our republic. Thank you for standing with me as we navigate these challenging times.
FB live of Senator Koh, Zito, Zuiderveld
Bible verse of the week: Proverbs 26:11-12
“Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.”
Quote of the week:
“It does not take a majority to prevail... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.” Samuel Adams
Song of the week:
All beautifully stated, Sen. Zuiderveld. The case that we are a communist nation with a smattering of socialism and fascism is strong.
Idaho voters are incredibly apathetic, simply accepting that a certain letter after a candidate's name will ensure good government. HAH! Nothing could be further from the truth. And once in office, many politicians revert to their true selves or become corrupted by power and money. It's a rare person who resists temptation. You and the Gang of Eight, plus a few others we could name are among these rare and beautiful resistant beasts.
Unless Idaho voters work with Idaho government to right the ship, we'll be as sunk as the Titanic.
As a supplement to your nicely presented summary of Constitutional Republic vs. Communism, here's an excellent Socialism, Fascism, Capitalism, and Communism Chart Presented by the Hampton Roads Naval Museum: https://tinyurl.com/y8z4mne9
You are correct however, people only pay lip service to the words "under God". Caught up in the mundane life of working, paying bills and food on the table many are merely surviving. The power once in the hands of the people is now in the control of the corporations. One only needs to look at insurance corporations, given powers by laws passed in their favor to subjugate the masses. Forced insurance premiums on health, home, car and other. Multiple forms of taxation called use tax, income tax, property tax, sales tax, fuel tax, road tax, etc. The middle class now disappearing and government employees and officials lining their pockets with PERSI pensions. While trying to survive the corruption of government, people turn away from God as slowly wither away from forced vaccinations, government mandates, big Pharma poisoning as well as other corporate food interests.