Critical historical moments

An early critical test of our nation's democracy was when George Washington refused a crown. He could have been King George I of an American Kingdom. Instead, he is revered as the father of the United States of America.

Another was when Washington voluntarily relinquished his power, and the presidency of the new nation was passed to John Adams. The bloodless transfer of power was not the norm in Europe, but it became so in the new world.

We face another critical moment with inauguration day in 2009. The new president, no matter who he or she may be, and the new Congress, regardless of which party has control, must begin the immediate rollback of the previous administration's actions that have shredded this country's Constitution, beginning with the restoration of habeas corpus.

This will be the most important test our country has faced since its earliest days if it is to survive as a democracy. If we don't pass this test, then nothing else will matter. We might as well give it up now for our first king, also named George.