Say Anything Blog

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”
-The Declaration of Independence

My friends… enough is enough. Through only the humblest of observations, it has come to my attention that something is wrong with our country today. Something is very wrong with the United States. Things are seemingly going awry. Somewhere along the line, it has become acceptable to deviate from the original values that were instilled in this country at its inception.

According to the original principle of Republicanism, people have inalienable rights. Among these rights are (as stated in the Bill of Rights): “…the freedom of speech … or the right of the people peaceably to assemble…”, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms…”, and “nor shall any person be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”

As many of you have likely heard, the right to peaceably assemble was stripped of US citizens recently during the G20 protests. Overzealous riot police were quick to declare the protest an “unlawful assembly” in accordance with Pennsylvania State Law (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOOmhrCu3gg). “The Constitution and federal law are the supreme law of the land, thus circumscribing state and territorial laws in the fifty U.S. states and in the territories” (Introduction to the Law and Legal System of the United States, 41). That being said, it is not difficult for one to see how Pennsylvania Police were in clear violation of protestor’s “inalienable” rights when they declared the assembly “unlawful” and demanded that they disperse or face the wrath of riot control agents. Do you not find this extremely troubling? After all, the Founding Fathers included this right into the foundation of our government for a reason. If they did not want citizens to have the right to assemble and speak their minds, they would not have included it. It was not simply a mistake, or a slip up. They WANTED citizens to assemble. They WANTED citizens to speak up for what they feel is right. The government rules with the consent of the governed. Does this not make sense? And yet sadly, this is only one example of how United States citizen’s rights are being continually breached on a regular basis…

The right to bear arms is “necessary to the security of a free state” and “shall not be INFRINGED.”

Infringe (verb) - act so as to limit or undermine (something); encroach on

In April of 2008, Barack Obama endorsed a handgun ban in Illinois (factcheck.org). I would elaborate on how the nature of this endorsement was unconstitutional, but I feel that it goes without saying. Furthermore, in 2000, Obama cosponsored a bill to limit purchases to one gun per month. Under the definition for “infringe”, the word “limit” is used to describe its meaning. And infringe is the same word that the Founders used when they declared that the 2nd amendment right to bear arms “shall not be infringed.” Again, I fail to see any purpose in elaborating on the self-evident ways that Barack Obama’s gun policies have always and will continue to be unconstitutional. It speaks for itself. One might say to themself, “Well, I can still go buy guns. My right is still intact… Right?” Eh… yes, but no. Yes, you can still purchase arms. But has your ability to do so been infringed upon? At least to SOME degree? However, to be clear, I am not putting the blame on Barack Obama for infringements that have been made on 2nd amendment rights. What I mean is that the leader we have elected, supports infringing those rights. Is it really in our best interest to have elected a figure who supports unconstitutional bans on firearms? Keep that in mind.

Lastly, in relation to compromises being made on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, consider this: a government takeover of the health insurance industry (i.e., 17% of our economy). How does this compromise my right to life, liberty, or happiness, you ask? As a close friend of mine so eloquently put it, “Taking money from one group of people to pay for the benefits of another group is not liberty.” Nor American, I say.

The list could go on and on. So for the sake of expediency, I will not list every single way that a particular Constitutional right has been infringed on by our government in recent years. But believe me when I say it has been done, and will continue to be done… if action is not taken, that is. More or less, I have simply listed some food for thought.

If the Constitution and federal law are supposedly the “supreme law of the land,” how is it possible that our leaders have managed to slip by allowing these injustices to occur without public outrage? In respect to that question, one could provide many answers. It is my opinion, however, that the most significant cause of this problem is the fact that we now are facing perhaps the most ignorant, uninformed, and apathetic electorate the Republic has ever seen. Strong words. I know. I said it. The truth hurts, doesn’t it? It does not make me proud to say this about the place I live. Yet I can’t help but think it to be true.

And in all honesty, can I blame us? Well… yes, I can… but how pragmatically? Is it really OUR fault that we have been suckered into the 21st century whirlpool of technology that gets shoved down our throats nearly every minute of each day? I mention this because it is precisely that which I believe is the heart of this issue. As Americans, we have somehow managed to become incredibly and excessively absorbed by such petty material things in our lives. The newest iPod, Blackberry, computer, or other fad that we all seem to derive so much utility from in salivating over, has distracted us so much that is has reached the point of disgust. Although I will admit it, I too, am at fault when it comes to this one. I absolutely love my iPhone, Apple computers, and all of the other sorts of nifty new widgets that come out every so often. But really, when you step back and look at it, how important are these things? How important will they be when we wake up one day only to realize that the place we are proud to be citizens of, America, is not so much… shall I say, American, anymore?

THEN what will have mattered? As far as I am concerned, the vast majority of the people in the United States today are so numbed to what is really going on that it is unbelievable. We act as if we didn’t possess all of the petty little material possessions in our lives that we obsess about, that the world would stop turning, we’d all collapse, and then go on to die or something. It’s ridiculous. I feel as if this is the biggest culprit responsible for stealing the majority of our attention from everything else that is REALLY going on in this country that actually inflicts a tangible, discernible level of importance over us… This has been occurring in this country for quite some time now. Too long. To prove this exact point, there is a simple test that my sensational high school AP government teacher employed on the first day of class. How many of you can name Barack Obama’s chief of staff or senior adviser? Or how about the majority leader of the Senate or House of Representatives? Or the name of the White House senior spokesman (who is on television almost every single day)? I ask these questions rhetorically, of course. But also ask yourself, if you were to go to a shopping mall and ask any 25 people these same questions, how many people out of those 25 do you think would be able to give you an answer? ….My point exactly. We all know how many. About 5.

It is time that we ask ourselves how vigilant have we been in paying attention to politics and government in this country. And by that, I do not mean how often do you watch CNN or FoxNews. In fact, if you watch any news on television, and that is the only source of information you resort to for current events, take my advice now: put down the remote and run…. Run far, far away.

It is just shocking to me how uninformed most of us appear to be in relation to what occurs in America on a daily basis. Out of sight, out of mind, I suppose. Although I fear one day, that it will no longer be feasible to keep things out of sight, and the injustices that many of our politicians commit will inevitably become shoved to the forefront of our lives, whether we like it or not. By the time this happens, I can only hope it is not too late.

Question authority, challenge the establishment. One does not learn from reading what one agrees with. One learns from reading and accepting views that challenge their own belief system. I am going to end with a few quotes that support the ideas I have been trying to promote through most of this feeble rant…

“But you must remember, my fellow-citizens, that eternal vigilance by the people is the price of liberty, and that you must pay the price if you wish to secure the blessing. It behooves you, therefore, to be watchful in your States as well as in the Federal Government.”
- Andrew Jackson, Farewell Address, March 4, 1837

The Founders, as well as many early Presidents, KNEW that given the opportunity, a disinterested electorate would be savagely taken advantage of, and that it would ultimately be the downfall of the Republic. One who keeps themself informed on current events should find it apparent that these same opportunities the Founders predicted, are presently being capitalized on by our leaders. It is up to us to stop it. Governments should fear their people. People should not fear their government.

Our rights do not selectively apply. They belong to all of us. Each and every one of us is responsible for standing up for the rights we have been provided with. When the time comes to step up to the plate for the purpose of repossessing our rights (in the event that they are ever completely compromised), who is going to do it? Ask yourself that. What will it take for that person to be you? What will have to be taken from you? Your freedom of religion? Ten years off of your life expectancy? Being told who you have to marry? Albeit these are extreme examples, they are things that we should give serious thought to, because at some point in time, the values you hold to be true may be stomped on. So like I said… then what?

Maybe Thomas Jefferson was right…

“God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”
- Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence