By Jenifer Kay Hood

Our Nation is more than a group of states. It is an idea, an ideal and a way of life enjoyed by few on this planet. Our Constitution, that sacred document that people read less often than they read the label on a can of soup, is a standard by which many democratic nations have patterned their governments.

Yet lately the defense of this nation involves defending the Constitution itself. Separation of powers, equal rights, voting rights and more are under attack. A war of words is destroying us and it is a war instigated by Russia and fought by GOP senators and their allies against the very thing we should hold most dear: our Constitution.

If Donald Trump had said, "I'd like you to do us a favor though. We'd like you to clean up corruption in your country," that would be one thing. But saying "we'd" like you to investigate Crowdstrike and Hunter Biden, the US company that discovered the DNC hack and a US citizen who is the son of my chief political rival, is another. Who benefits? Does Ukraine benefit from that? Only if aid is contingent on doing so. Otherwise, how does Ukraine benefit from investigating Biden and Crowdstrike? It doesn't. It would benefit from an investigation into its own corruption, but not from investigating a US company and citizen. Again, the only way they benefit from the investigations Trump asked for is getting US aid and a visit to the White House. This is clearly and unequivocally abuse of power done for political gain.

Equally true is the falseness of Trump's claim that he is not obstructing Congress. What else do you call prohibiting witnesses from testifying, refusing to turn over subpoenaed documents, and refusing to even put on a defense of his behavior? He is not a king. And from the look of things he's not even a President. He's a would be dictator just waiting for the Senate to acquit him so he can move on to even more outrageous behavior.

It is vital to say no to Trump's dictatorial ambitions.

Waiting for the next election may be too late, especially since it is clear the Russians are holding the puppet strings on our election system. Trump has even gone so far as to request the help of China and other nations in undermining our elections. He must be stopped.

Read the Constitution and remind yourself of the limits of executive power. You will then clearly understand why it is vital to say no to Trump's dictatorial ambitions. Informed voters who get past the media spin will know why they should strongly urge their representatives to demonstrate the rule of law by voting YES on impeachment.