Troubling Question Answered - Tipping Point Crossed - Atlas Shrugs’!

By the Lieutenant Colonel

We were founded as a Republic of self-governed people championing maximum individual liberty based on property rights and an equally applied traditional rule-of-law. However, a majority, mostly huddled together in America’s major urban centers, no longer comprehends what it truly means to live in freedom; they have spurned liberty centered limited-governance of the intended Constitutional Republic and enthroned a professed benevolent king. America---“Transformed” into just another failing Democracy of needy piglet subjects suckling on the tits of a withering sow.

Prospects for a renaissance of liberty anytime soon are fading. But embers still smolder under the ash. Linking admired stories---like Jedi Obi Wan of the Old Republic, it may be time to rejuvenate in “Red” pastoral America by “Going Galt” and awaiting the opportunity to fight for a “New Hope”.

…”the blood of patriots & tyrants”, I exclaim not now!

By the Lieutenant Colonel

King Arthur: I am your king.

Peasant Woman: Well, I didn't vote for you.

King Arthur: You don't vote for kings.

Peasant Woman: Well, how'd you become king, then?

[Angelic music plays...]

King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur.  That is why I am your king.

Dennis the Peasant: Listen.  Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.  Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

Arthur: Be quiet!

Dennis the Peasant: You can't expect to wield supreme power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!

Arthur: [grabs Dennis] Shut up!  Will you shut up?!

Dennis: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system!

Arthur: [shakes Dennis] Shut up!

Dennis: Oh!  Come and see the violence inherent in the system!  Help, help, I'm being repressed!

Arthur: Bloody Peasant!

Dennis: Ooh, what a giveaway!

-- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Like many liberty-minded Constitutional Conservatives, I feel tremendous anguish and frustration as I witness the rapidly growing oppressive power of the administrative state toward us “Bloody Peasants”.  The more I study the Founders writings, the “Great Debate” between the Federalists and Anti-Federalist, and ratification of the United States Constitution [1] and the subsequent “Fundamental Transformations” brought about by persistent “Progressive” subversion primarily in past 100 years, I'm unfortunately finding myself in agreement with this assessment on the state of our Constitutional Republic by Joseph Baldacchino…

Government in the United States bears virtually no resemblance to the constitutional republic that the Framers gave us—if, as Benjamin Franklin cautioned, we could “keep it.”  …

“Our whig forebears rejected as “null and void” all acts of the British government that exceeded the limits of the constitution of custom, which was their political and cultural inheritance, their “property.”  To restore the “free government” for which they defied the most formidable military power of their time, today’s Americans would have to be willing to show similar courage and dedication.  To restore government to its proper position “under the Law,” we would have to be prepared like them to risk our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.  But to state that requirement is to recognize how unlikely is the restoration of American constitutionalism within a foreseeable future.”  [2]

It is true that many of the ominous concerns expressed by the Anti-Federalists have come to pass despite the careful crafting and amendments (Bill of Rights) to the Constitution backed by James Madison and other Federalists to reassure them.  The small and limited Federal Government as “Founded” has overcome the constitutionally enumerated constraints and grown to a bureaucratic behemoth.  "We the People" through overwhelming individual comforts and conveniences, mounting ignorance, indifference, and selection of a “professional political class” have subverted or abandoned the "Republic" envisioned by the Constitution’s Framers.  [3] We are now "progressing" toward a "flash and burn" Democracy reminiscent of ancient Greece or Rome.  The seeds of our undoing lie within.  But is it too late, or can a renaissance of individual liberty take hold?  Maybe, but even Ronald Reagan, ever the American optimist, expressed doubt that once created a bureaucratic behemoth government is nearly impossible to restrain let alone reverse.  [4]

So what can we do to reclaim our individual liberty and our Constitutional Republic envisioned by the Framers?  I believe we still have many nonviolent options available, but evidently some do not.

I have heard peoples’ frustration and ire on conservative airwaves, but more frequently, read their comments in weblogs and articles with a “Call to Arms” inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s words…

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants.  It is it's natural manure.”  [5]

While I understand and empathize with their passionate frustration, our situation is far different from that of the American Revolution.  America was an exceptionally unique historical crossroads of extraordinary conditions and brilliant self-educated men of complimentary personalities.  The circumstances and timing for an armed rebellion to “institute” liberty was justified, and yet exceeding complex and very in doubt as to the outcome.  It would have been tragically similar to the bloody horror that followed the French Revolution if not for the “lives, fortunes, sacred honor” and WISDOM of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Mason, Adams (both of them), Hamilton and others that charted the turbulent waters… where among our current political class or even our entire populace is an equal assembly of such persons?  Our education system that produced the current “professional political class” will be addressed in a future article by the Colonel.   

But the concerns for the loss of individual liberty today are as legitimate as the Founders were, so it does beg the very grim and disturbing question.  At what point does government’s action transforming the Republic, first toward a direct democracy (loathed by the Constitution’s Framers as mob rule and responsible for the horrors of the French Revolution), and eventually something else well beyond the intentions of the Framers, all with the elected representative consent of a majority of the governed, lead a minority population to charge tyranny and rebel?  What is the “litmus test” for necessity--for justifying armed rebellion against civil authority knowing that it is the government's obligation to preserve itself and the safety, happiness/property and prosperity of the greater part of its citizens?  Apparently the folks tossing out the Jefferson quote think we have passed the point of justification--AGAIN, I STRONGLY DISAGREE!

As already stated, I fully understand the frustration and the fervent spirit to resist tyranny in the manner of Samuel Adams.  [6] But when I read or hear these boisterous outcries I always wonder, what are they really suggesting people do… just start shooting folks who are “accused” of threatening liberty; do they want a “John Brown” like act of rebellion to incite a conflict; [7] have they really thought through the horrible realities of insurgency and civil war?

A time may come when one has to decide whether to violently resist tyranny to prevent servitude or for self-preservation.  BUT THAT TIME IS NOT NOW; ALL OTHER MEANS ARE NOT EXHAUSTED!  Should we be resisting and fighting the past and present encroachments on the Constitution and liberty… most definitely!  Human nature being what it is--the fight for individual liberty and the “animating contest of freedom” never ends.  No doubt, we are at a tipping point.  But, free speech and the ballot box are still there.  The fact that I can freely express my views and effect change says to me a bloodless renaissance is still possible.  Plus, we conservatives insist on the “rule of law” as a founding principle of the Republic, it is deceitful progressives and statist that love incendiary oratory and lawless mob action.

The combined strategy of education, political activism and even some non-violent civil disobedience can be effective tools for us.  Remember the power of the written and spoken words by the Founders; we need to educate ourselves and others to use that power to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America. The Tea Party movement is the right idea, get involved…support your local and national organizations such as FreedomWorks, The Heritage Foundation, etc…  [8] Get behind political candidates that you believe truly support and defend our Constitution.  There are many ways to get involved NOW and begin to turn the tide…but, even though liberals believe the Second Amendment is just for hunters, it will not hurt to “keep your powder dry.”

Notes:

[1] I highly recommend the Teaching Company’s course taught by Professor Thomas L. Pangle, Ph.D.  Great Debate: Advocates and Opponents of the American Constitution, University of Chicago, The University of Texas at Austin.  Available at http://www.thegreatcourses.com

[2] Joseph Baldacchino, (2005).  The Unraveling of American Constitutionalism: From Customary Law to Permanent Innovation, The Center for Constitutional Studies, National Humanities Institute http://www.nhinet.org/ccs-res.htm

[3] A condition embodied in quotes of these two great intellectuals… "Find out just what the people will submit to and you will have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue until they are resisted with either words or blows, or both.  The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”  --Frederick Douglass, August 3, 1857 in a speech on “West India Emancipation” at Canandaigua, New York

"If a Nation expects to be ignorant and free in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be....  If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.”  --Thomas Jefferson

[4] “No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size.  Government programs, once launched, never disappear.  Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth!”  Ronald Reagan, U.S. Republican politician, President. “A Time for Choosing,” television address, 27 Oct. 1964 (published in Speaking My Mind, 1989).

[5] From a letter by Thomas Jefferson in 1787 while he was in France to his friend William Smith.  This phrase is often quoted as an affirmation of the right of the people to rebel against the tyranny of government.  The intended meaning of this quote in full context of the letter and historic setting is still debated.

[6] “If we love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude, than the animating contest of freedom—go from us in peace.  We ask not your counsels or arms.  Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you.  May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen.”  Samuel Adams from a speech delivered at the State House in Philadelphia, August 1, 1776

[7] Revolutionary abolitionist who in the 1850s advocated and practiced armed insurrection as a means to abolish slavery in the United States and made his name in the unsuccessful raid at Harpers Ferry in 1859 for which he was hung.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Brown_(abolitionist)

[8] I highly recommend and personally support.  http://www.freedomworks.org/ and   http://www.heritage.org/

Food-Banks Expand to Feed More Needy People… but Don’t Feed the Bears

By the Colonel

The same people who are deeply involved with teachers unions, the ACLU, protecting wild animals (especially those cute furry polar bears), global warming and saving our National Parks from those tourist people…are working hard to expand local food banks that feed so many needy people. At first glance, this seems a very worthy cause and who could be so mean as to oppose expanding local food banks? However, as we have learned over and over again through experience, intentions are not actual outcomes.

The analogy that popped into my head as I watched the TV interviewer talking to one of the volunteer leaders of the Washington DC food bank was wild animals at our state parks and the signs everywhere warning us, “Please don’t feed the animals.” But we love to feed the little chipmunks, they are so cute and what harm could a couple of peanuts do anyway? Now the park rangers have taken time to explain that they are not just trying to be mean to the animals or the visiting tourist, they are just trying to protect the animals. The Ranger explained that if the tourist feed the animals, the animals would forget how to feed themselves and become totally dependent on the park tourist. Then in the off-season when there are very few tourists, the animals will starve to death because the food source they have been conditioned to live on is not available. Why then is the Washington DC food bank expanding to make more and more of the poorest Washington DC population totally dependent on the food bank? Would it make more sense to leave nature’s human internal motivation in tact and instead help the poorest Washington DC residents learn to feed themselves? Remember a famous Confucian saying, “give a man a fish and he is fed for one day, teach a man to fish and he is fed forever.” 

The problem with most liberals is they do not accept human nature as it is, they see humans as they want them to be. But as Einstein said, facts are stubborn things. What motivates people is individual self-interest and while that might sound selfish I do not believe it is, I think it is an honest assessment of human history.  Every collective or communal experiment throughout history except for a few monasteries has failed (and even monasteries have a hierarchical rank order). A comparison of our Revolutionary War based on individual liberty and the French Revolution based on the community (fraternity) shows the French Revolution was a bloodbath that led to total anarchy and ruin. Communism has failed in every nation that tried it; even Russia and China are currently trying to allow capitalistic economy while trying to maintain an autocratic dictatorship.

The bottom line seems so simple I wonder at the resistance mounted against it…individual responsibility and opportunity lead to growth and prosperity while “statism,” the “government” or “community” (organizers) lead to phantom rulers in the shadows making decisions for everyone…since they know best what everyone should do and have. These elitist so-called liberal rulers give we citizens “peanuts,” we get use to and become totally dependent on their peanuts and then we lose our independence…we can no longer take care of ourselves and must depend on our self-appointed elitist rulers for everything. Since they can give us peanuts or take the peanuts away, we will have become slaves.

I, for one, want to remain hungry for as short a time as possible until I can feed myself and my family…when times are tough I will work more diligently, do anything I need to do…become creative, innovative and solve our problems. Don’t we want people to be motivated to create and innovate? Patrick Henry’s words were inspiring during the early days of the American Revolution and are still today, “give me liberty or give me death.” I would add that we should “take” liberty because no one can give us liberty…liberty is a decision we make in our hearts. So instead of expanding the food bank, let’s expand the individual responsibility and opportunity that always reduce the need for food banks…instead of just handing the poorest of Washington DC more peanuts and dependence.