The recent failure of John McCain to secure the presidency of the United States has resulted in a wide range of emotional responses by those of us opposed to an Obama presidency - disheartening at the least and devastating at the most. 

There is no question America has enter into a new period of history which will determine the very nature of the republic for years to come.  It would, of course, be easy to play the blame game (and there is a lot of it to go around) but time does not permit such discussions.

Many are concerned, and justifiably so, that America will never be the same, but it is often through such difficult times that the hand of the Almighty becomes most evident in the affairs of men.

One of the greatest object lessons from the 2008 election is this: our educational system has failed to teach the next generation about their own history and the Constitution.  I say this because of something I have suspected for a long time but which was confirmed by an experience yesterday by State Senator Mike Folmer. 

While working the polls Folmer was challenged by some young people who demanded to know why he was supporting the candidate he had chosen to support.  When he expressed his concerns over the preservation of the Constitution and the rule of law, a young lady asked," What's a Constitution?"

Such a shocking response may lead some to throw up their hands in despair.  But this episode should make republicans and constitutionalists realize that a huge opportunity exists to reintroduce to the people of our state the fundamental principles upon which America was built. 

For those of us dedicated to preserving our Founding Father's vision for this republic, there is no time to lick wounds and hide in corners; there is no luxury of hoping that anti-constitutionalists will slow down their march toward socialist tyranny. 

Simply put, patriotic Americans must begin acting now to reeducate their fellow citizens in those legal concepts and political ideals that drove Washington, Madison and Adams.  And since it is obvious that the traditional educational systems are not meeting the need, conservatives must take it upon themselves to teach truth to the masses who have been led astray by false hopes and misty dreams that will become quickly become wisps of vapor. 

There are any number of resources available that conservative Republicans in Pennsylvania must begin utilzing in order to confront the ignorance currently permeating our nation:

• Lebanon County offers something which, to my knowledge, exists nowhere else in Pennsylvania - an organization designed to educate citizens about the Constitution and our Founding Fathers. The Constitutional Organization Of Lebanon (COOL) provides a variety of courses for just such a purpose as already outlined, and associates of COOL are available to travel anywhere in the state to present their half day program A More Perfect Union.  In addition, Lebanon County also hosts a group called the Citizen's Caucus, which is trying to expand debate on critical issues to the everyday person.

• National Center for Constitutional Studies (NCCS) offers some of the best books about the American experience - The 5000 Year Leap and The Making of America.  Additional educational material is available from NCCS which goes into greater detail about the political theory behind the United States.

• Let Freedom Ring is a Delaware-based organization that will travel to Pennsylvania to conduct workshops and seminars about the original intentions of our Founding Fathers for this nation.

Forgive me if this seems like a commercial pitch; I don't mean it to.  But the clock is running; we can either give up, dwell on the blame game (as McCain's campaign 'advisors' appear to be bent upon doing), and let matters flow around us, or we can take a stand and do the right thing.

For myself, I can only remember the words of a popular movie from several years ago: "We will not go away silently into the night!" 

I will not remain silent, and I urge you to join me in fighting for what is right.

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