Christine Smith's Blog

Independence Day (Part 2)

Oppose the Tyranny Descending Upon Our Nation.

Your rights to “life, liberty and property” are being taken away at an alarmingly fast pace. Our liberties to ownership of property free and clear of government encroachment/taxation/and outright confiscation, to speak freely and protest, to sovereign control over our bodies and health, to unrestricted travel, to earn an income and run a business free from regulations/licensing and taxation, to habeas corpus, to firearm ownership, naming just a few are all being threatened or have already been taken from us. 

Already, in the past few years, I’ve spoken with acquaintances who are afraid of their own government.  Intimidated just enough that they stop being so vocal as they once were. Why?  Because it’s not theirs anymore.  Instead it is an oppressive out of control monster.  And with its might (including militarized forces operating domestically against American citizens such as the DEA and ATF), it intimidates – but only if you allow it that power over you. But now is not the time to be silent, in concern for our nation, now is the time to passionately denounce government infringements on liberty.

In the last paragraph of the Declaration, note the sovereignty of the states, “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States,” a matter the states are now beginning to return to and express in view of the federal government’s oppressive mandates upon them.

Among the facts of the grievances against George III found in the Declaration of Independence, we find these: “He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.” and “He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.” and “For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.“  Sound familiar?

To question and challenge the government is American. 

To expose any government encroachment of our liberty – our rights – and reject such usurpation is American.  It’s not enough to want liberty, you must take and endure the pains required just as those brave signers of The Declaration did.  One’s morality, religion, character, and one’s political philosophy are not a matter of a label, no matter how much one self identifies, but are determined by a pattern of behavior. 

The ideas we must vehemently share are not new.  Historically speaking, new, but for our nation they are the core we were founded upon.  They were our beginning, ensure our growth, and must be restored to save the beauty of a nation based on the principles espoused in The Declaration of Independence.  It’s not enough to call it a “birthday” of America or a celebration of freedom, merely saying such platitudes distances people from the importance of what those men did and the importance of what we must do now to secure and continue what they began. This, then, is the moral imperative of all who value freedom.

What better time to do so than during Independence Day celebrations?  This week provides an opportune time to choose any of the current issues which the government is overstepping the bounds placed upon it  (be it healthcare, the Cap and Trade/Waxman Markey bill (essentially a huge tax increase-contact your Senators), the President and House inappropriately expressing public support of what should be an Iranian affair, the stupid regulation of the tobacco industry, the monetary monopoly (educate others about Ron Paul’s HR 1207 and S 6055 to audit the Federal Reserve), Iraq/Afghanistan & Pakistan, and any number of intrusions into our civil liberties). 

Then read The Declaration of Independence word for word.  Reflect upon it.  And, while you’re at it, also read from other written words and oratories of our founders.  This will provide more than enough to craft some powerful Independence Day-themed letters- to-the-editor directly related to current events. 

And, as well all know as powerful as the written word is there’s something captivating about the spoken word. Call in to radio talk shows, and why not contact your fraternal organizations/clubs/etc. (who are likely planning events for the weekend) and offer to say a few words about the real meaning of The Fourth of July – about how those rights aren’t given by government, but by God…and how we must diligently keep government from moving from being the protector of those rights to the infringer. 

You’ll be meeting and socializing with people this weekend, bring yourself, your love of liberty, and a courage to share what you believe.  (Consider in gatherings with friends and groups adding an element of round table discussion about freedom and about the Declaration of Independence as it pertains to life today; give friends gift subscriptions to freedom publications you appreciate with a note calling it a Fourth of July gift – that would be a great idea for all ages including for youth; write and send (email or postal) letters to the editor and tie them into the Fourth of July; use your imagination – you know your community and your family- there are people who will listen to you in the unique way you can share with them.)

Let not those fireworks and sparklers be the only illumination this weekend; let your voice illumine other’s minds and hearts.  Focus not on what we oppose, but what we are for: individual liberty, economic freedom/free markets, a limited government domestically whose foreign policy is one of non-interventionism, a nation who as John Quincy Adams perfectly expressed, “is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all,” but the “champion and vindicator only of her own.”