The Cost of Losing Liberties
"The founding fathers of our nation grew increasingly frustrated by the yoke of an oppressive and tyrannical government. They yearned to live as free men in a free society that distanced themselves from an all-powerful central government. They took matters into their own hands and fought a revolutionary war in order to secure these liberties in a swift, decisive action. They were revolutionists.
The “un-revolutionists” grow frustrated with the decisions made and lifestyles enjoyed by free men. They believe that their lives and society as a whole can be better managed by a powerful central government than can be managed by the individuals themselves. They see “rights” as being mere “privileges” afforded to them by the government. They prefer the model of the “central planner” (see F.A. Hayek – “The Road to Serfdom”).
So, in order to fundamentally alter the foundation of our nation (much like the revolutionists did), they have engaged in an “un-revolution”. Where revolution was relatively quick and decisive, un-revolution is slow and methodical. They support a consistent, yet distinct, erosion of liberties and growth of a central government. A claim to need security against enemies is an excuse to erode liberties and grow the power of the government. Just as is a need for protection against natural or economic disaster. Following that is a need to protect property value as well as a need to protect what a group of people think to be correct. The slope is slippery but always results in the same thing… erosion of liberties for individuals… expansion of power for the government.
The thing that big-gov kool-aid drinkers do not see is that the most important thing that we have as Americans is our liberties, period. It is more important than our property values, more important than our security, and as can be attested by many, many dead revolutionists, it is more important than our very lives. I do NOT see liberties as a form of currency that can or should be bartered for some short-sighted goals. A war may come and go. A natural disaster is short lived. Hell… you may even move away from your slob neighbor. But once your liberties leave you… they are GONE! They do NOT come back without the shedding of blood.
The big-gov kool-aid drinkers have a very narrow perspective, so they stand at the gov feeding trough and gladly hand over their liberties for some temporary short-term gain claiming that someone else is infringing on their “rights”. But what they may not see is that they do not barter away just their liberties, they barter away EVERYONE’S liberty.
I more subscribe to the Patrick Henry perspective of liberty. If I remember the quote (this is from memory, not Wikipedia), “…Is life so dear or peace so sweet to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” His words were very clear: NOTHING is more valuable than your liberties. They should be guarded by every free man as a mother would guard her young infant.
But real freedom has a price… and it is expensive. In order to be free to speak as I wish, I must tolerate those who would say things offensive to me. In order to worship as I wish (or not worship), I must tolerate the religion of others. In order to be free to keep my property as I wish, I must tolerate those who would keep theirs differently.
No level of temporary security is a fair trade for our freedoms and liberties. Freedom is not cheap. It demands a high price. Ironically, the “un-revolutionists” look to the government to subsidize that payment!"
To see the rest of the conversation, go here:
posted by Deuke at 11:17 AM
<< Home