How do I come to this conclusion? Easily: examples of control - the consequence of fear - are everywhere.* We should be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this list to get so long. We should be outraged at the people in our capital city. We should be sharpening our pitchforks. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote, “Government, like dress, is the badge of lost innocence; the palaces of kings are built on the ruins of the bowers of paradise.” Unfortunately the book was titled Common Sense, a principle abandoned by humans frequently throughout history. As a result of our fear, we elected temple robbers, fools, tax collectors (in the Biblical sense), and Pharaohs. Despite what is said in Article 1, Section 9 of the Constitution, we have indeed bestowed royalty upon our governmental officials. Just look over the list I put at the end of the blog. In our bustle to throw our freedoms away, we have given so much power to Washington. Our fears have transformed the American people from a monument of courage and hope to ignorant sheep for shearing and greedy pigs for slaughter.
On the topic of fear, I think Franklin said it the best: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." Even though governments of the past have rarely been little more than black holes of arrogance and venal ambitions, we keep pushing to make them stronger. As a Christian, it especially pains me to see others of my faith shoveling their freedom into the pockets of others. 1 John 4:18 despises fear but pursues love, saying, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love." God doesn't want us to fear**. As Christians, are we not then commanded to be brave? Even simply as Americans we have not only the right, but the constitutional responsibility to cast this oppressive leadership away. Thomas Jefferson (and several others) covered this basic right by announcing, “Every law consistent with the Constitution will have been made in pursuance of the powers granted by it. Every usurpation or law repugnant to it cannot have been made in pursuance of its powers. The latter will be nugatory and void.” I find it very upsetting that we have used the excuse of fear to slip farther and farther into the control of others. In this fight, we cannot be fearful. We must restore our Constitution.
If we cannot be fearful, then the only option left is to be free. Fear creates chains, but the opposite of fear creates freedom. Perhaps a second revolution is at hand, before we are completely swallowed by history. We have teetered on the edge of oppression for too long. Remember the first Democratic president's words: "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. I am not a friend to a very energetic government." Where has the Democratic party put its honor? And what have the Republicans done to their logic? They direct us to increase their power, rather than to serve their nation. In this they undermine, devalue, and liquidate the principles our country was created to uphold. Personally, I am ashamed for not being outraged sooner. I am ashamed to have waited until today to write this. The America that was founded on July 4th, 1776 does not exist anymore, but I think it can again if we are willing to be brave and fight for it.
______________________________________________________
“O ye that love mankind! Ye that dare oppose, not only the tyranny, but
the tyrant, stand forth! Every spot of the old world is overrun with oppression.
Freedom hath been hunted round the globe. Asia, and Africa,
have long expelled her.?Europe regards her like a stranger, and England
hath given her warning to depart. O! receive the fugitive, and prepare in
time an asylum for mankind.”
“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.”
― Thomas Paine, excerpts from Common Sense
______________________________________________________
“A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master, and deserves one.”
“The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited Constitution. By a limited Constitution, I understand one which contains certain specified exceptions to the legislative authority .... Limitations of this kind can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void. Without this, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing.”
― Alexander Hamilton
"A government is like fire; a handy servant, but a dangerous master."
― George Washington
"A government is like fire; a handy servant, but a dangerous master."
― George Washington
______________________________________________________
*Some of the tools that are being used to control us ("some" being the key word):
- Your freedom of religion and freedom of speech are being oppressed: http://christiannews.net/2013/10/07/missouri-police-descend-upon-arrest-evangelists-preaching-gospel-in-public-square/
- The current administration has vindictively closed memorials and many national parks that require nothing to maintain. Here are two examples:
- Your WWII memorial: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23579527/congress-members-make-sure-veterans-are-able-to-visit-memorials-closed-by-shutdown
- The Grand Canyon isn't "allowed" to reopen even though citizens have requested to run it privately, in order to maintain their small businesses: http://twitchy.com/2013/10/08/closed-for-king-obama-grand-canyon-business-owners-protest-shutdown/
- Moreover, the Grand Canyon that you technically own through the taxes that you are still paying, is so off-limits, that they'll cite you for visiting: http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2013/10/08/grand-canyon-cites-people-for-entering-closed-park/
- Obama calls himself your boss: http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2013/10/08/obama_s_shutdown_analogies_a_complete_list_of_the_analogies_president_obama.html
- Meanwhile, the larger portion of the media continues to portray Obama as God, despite his extraordinarily low approval rating. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/march_april_2012/features/obamas_top_50_accomplishments035755.php?page=all See how they worship him? And see how he fails? http://townhall.com/tipsheet/guybenson/2013/10/09/shutdown-fallout-obama-approval-rating-slides-to-37-percent-n1720138
- GOP attacks Ted Cruz http://www.salon.com/2013/10/03/gop_senators_attack_ted_cruz/
- You know, there is another line on your ballots in which to write the name of any candidate you choose, even if they are not from a specific party. Elections were never meant to be like searching through the dumpster for a good piece of trash.
- How do you feel about the extraordinary breach of conduct by the media and the government to use children's deaths as tool to remove your second amendment right to defense against not only every day dangers, but also tyranny? http://jpfo.org/filegen-n-z/six-about-2nd.htm
- The Patriot Act is an easy way for the government to have you arrested if they think you are a threat. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriot_Act
- Are you aware of how many taxes have been added to fund failing government programs (remember the postal service and your last visit to the DMV)? How many more taxes can be imposed before your wallet starts to starve? http://m.freedomworks.org/blog/jborowski/washington%E2%80%99s-proposed-income-tax-will-stifle-econo
- In fact, the entire Devision of Motor Vehicles is a great way to control transportation of the population. Think about it: why do you need to register your car in order to use it? And why are you forced to purchase insurance? These are easy ways for the government to know what you are doing. No, they probably don't care about what you're doing with your life today, but what happens when you disagree with someone who has the power to stalk your everyday movements?
- Even seat belts are a sign of control. "Having liberty means that you have the right to take risks. You should be able to sky-dive, smoke a cigarette, drive without a seat belt, or drink a 20-oz soda (despite his excellency King Bloomberg’s wishes) if you so desire." - Gary Nolan
- How about our educational system? http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/why-liberals-think-being-educated-means-being-liberal/
- Obamacare is more of a punishment for being a citizen than a help to those in need. http://money.cnn.com/2013/08/13/news/economy/obamacare-penalty/index.html
____________________________________________________
**for those of you thinking, "But the Bible says to fear God", the term used for a fear of God might be better translated as "awe" or "reverence". Fear of God does not denote dread or anxiety.
I was inspired by your Hamilton quote:
ReplyDeleteBy a limited Constitution, I understand one which contains certain specified exceptions to the legislative authority .... Limitations of this kind can be preserved in practice no other way than through the medium of courts of justice, whose duty it must be to declare all acts contrary to the manifest tenor of the Constitution void. Without this, all the reservations of particular rights or privileges would amount to nothing.
This illustrates a way forward. Since the federal government is constitutionally limited to essentially national defense, diplomacy, and regulation of duties between states (actual intent of the Commerce Clause, thru which a federal government unfettered by its citizenry has driven several fleets of tyranny thru), we must organize with mass protests or whatever is necessary that the highest law of the land is observed. Remember, it does not take a majority to effect reform; a relentless 10% can lead the uninformed. It has been done to us, now it is our turn.
First step: demand that Congress hold hearings to determine the intent of the Commerce Clause in full public view rather than some agenda driven judiciary. There is a lot of support in the House for such efforts and supported by an aroused citizenry, this is doable.
Second step: Demand that Congress immediately begin winding down those federal usurpations that are in clear violation of the Constitution's explicit meaning. Specifically this would mean around 75% of the current government. Make the argument about whether a three year or five year transition of authority to the states will be appropriate, acknowledging that yes, this or that program is very nice and worthwhile, but quite outside our legal authority.. I dont need to tell you, this will require even more of a hue and cry, but the only alternative is tyranny and national bankruptcy or worse! There is an ace to play here, tho. This downsizing will make the income tax and the thuggish IRS entirely unnecessary, and allow corporate taxes to be reduced from the world's highest to the world's lowest, all making for a veritable rocket economy. If that doesnt get the uninformed and lazy in the streets on the side of liberty, we ARE doomed!
Step Three: Demand reform of the judiciary, starting with the negation of Marbury which gave Federal courts power over State courts. In the case of conflict between these courts, including jurisdictions, the issue should be settled only by the people as noted in the 10th Amendment. Members of the judiciary that exceed their Constitutional authority must be held accountable, with penalties of loss of bench and benefits. They can only be thankful that this is not China, where they would be hanged.
I agree, though I think the fear in people's hearts is a lot of the reason why it hasn't happened yet. People are afraid not just of standing up to the fat cats, but also afraid of what might happen if they stopped doing this or that mundane thing to spend time fixing the problem in Washington. We must encourage each other and stay strong! I don't know if you are Christian, but remembering that whether we can resolve this and keep our freedom or not, there will come a day when our bonds will be broken and we will no longer require any law, because on that day, we will all be living under the Kingdom of God. That thought is very comforting and encouraging. After all, if that is what's waiting for us, then why hesitate to be brave here on earth?
ReplyDelete