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/
