L. Neil Smith's THE LIBERTARIAN ENTERPRISE Number 306, February 13, 2005 Happy Anniversary! Defeating the Republican Police State Mandate
Exclusive to TLE Admittedly, I have a tendency to become a bit severe while addressing police state atrocities, life taking betrayals, apathy, and widespread ignorance. Though I am desirous of mending this tiny personality flaw, I cannot find compelling reasons to retract even one castigating word. If, while in the defense of our founding principles and human rights I also manage to shame a few quasi and pseudo-patriots into defending the Constitution, an unpleasant yet needed victory will be declared. For possible consolation, any bruised egos may loosely relate such unflattering counsel to my expression of "Tough Love." We can no longer survive our national crisis with timid responses. Americans are now engaged in a civil war! They Irresponsibly and Immorally Wasted Their Votes As an illuminating consequence of the November elections, liberty-committed Americans, those who live by the founding principles of nonintervention, personal responsibility, and self-ownership, can clearly identify the Republican Party as their enemy. The Grand Old Party or if you prefer The Party of Lincoln has stepped forward to become the majority 'Party' of legislated imperialism, aggression, and servitude. Never again can the Republicans pretentiously carry the Torch of Liberty, and delude honorable Americans. Having witnessed for almost four years the President's assault on our Constitution through his foreign policies, the Republicans should have been well aware if his imperialist ambitions. The strategy for the attainment of his un-American goal has become apparent, the unlawful use of depleted uranium bullets and bombs along with the application of torture. The maiming and loss of lives resulting from this unconstitutional and unjustified war with Iraq is unconscionable. There is no foreseeable end to his war crimes. And, the financial burden to be endured by American taxpayers will be in the hundreds of billions. Additionally: Let us not ignore his failed domestic programs and selective suspensions of "habeas corpus" [the people's protection against unlawful imprisonment] along with the guaranteed protections of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Tenth Amendments within the Bill of Rights. The results of his treachery should be obvious to all. Nonetheless, the Republicans have spoken with their votes, and in doing so they overwhelmingly gave the President an additional four years of opportunities to invade other sovereign nations and further assault the unalienable rights of all Americans. The President was humbled by the people's confidence in him; he said as much. Humbled? I can understand that the President might enjoy a sense of satisfaction if his reelection victory had been a reflection of the people's confidence in his sound foreign and domestic policies, his unrivaled abilities, or his unshakeable loyalty to our nation as a sovereign Constitutional Republic. Tragically for this nation and probably the entire world, the President was certainly not reelected because of confidence. Alas, confidenceunrecognizable in Republicans todaywas not the governing factor in his reelection. The observable causes of his victory were 'Party' loyalty, widespread renunciation of our founding principles, fear of personal responsibility and the potential hazards of liberty, and a willingness to be oppressed by one who they perceive as their own [Christian?]. However, a few Republicans did provide reasons for their votes. The reasons given were the defense of Second Amendment rights and the restoration of family values. While others reasoned that George Bush is less evil than John Kerry. Such reasoning was unsound; the Libertarian Party was nationally available as a viable alternative. In a Libertarian society, the people either sustain traditional family values or live by their own. Parents set the example for their children, and instill their chosen values without legislated bureaucratic guidance. So as not to burden fellow Americans with the responsibility, conscientious parents shelter their own children from what they deem as morally reprehensible programming, materials, and lifestyles. Parents select religious, private, locally regulated public, or home schooling without federal government interference. Along with many federal agencies, the Department of Education lacks constitutional authority; therefore, it is abolished. Parents take responsibility! Regarding Second Amendment rights, they are absolutely defended by the Libertarian Party. As for which candidate is the lesser of two evils, I will not waste my time on that path. On Inauguration Day, let the Republicans contemplate what they have sacrificed for their ill-fated victory. Instead of patriotically considering the elections as a means to return liberty, honor, integrity, and justice to our nation, they irresponsibly and immorally wasted their votes. Indeed, the Republicans handed George Bush what he has been striving for from the beginning; perpetual warfare and a police state mandate. The Republican Party has become the vanguard of degenerative Socialism, and further provided safe harbor for a tyrant. The Republicans have forgotten that while adopting the fundamentals for the creation of this nation, the Founding Fathers did not guarantee our education, health, prosperity, retirement, comfort, or personal safety. Wisely, as the predominant founding principle they instead guaranteed our liberty, which holds far greater potentials for the dignity and advancement of mankind. Out of ignorance, 'Party' loyalty, or fear, the Republicans are willing to submit, and give George Bush more control over their personal and professional lives. Bread, along with the well-deserved performing end of a circus will be their only rewards for submission. Will it really make any difference to these 'Party' loyalist whether their freedoms have been stolen by Communists, the United Nations, Democrats, or a fellow Republican? Defeating the Republican police state mandate will require courage and confidence in the founding principles of our nation. Our Society Does Not Inspire True Patriotism It is vital that the socially and politically informed men and women of our nation defend the constitutional principles of self-governance and liberty. Obviously, this critical undertaking cannot be left to the rank and file of today's feckless and cosmetic society, where mediocrity is widely perceived as a rewardable goal. Having scorned the enlightening potentialities of liberty, thus, mastering nothing beyond competitive pretentiousness, behavioral excellence is of little interest to the American masses. With the exception of a few self-reliant thinkers, we have degraded into a people of frills and thrills, spurning everything remotely resembling authenticity, personal responsibility, wisdom, and virtue. The majority of Americans now exist in a state of intellectual hibernation. Superficiality and emotionalism have become our medals of honor; they are displayed as exemplary measures of achievement. Dare if you can, one hour of primetime televisionreflecting the national standards of todayand draw your own conclusions. Although discouraging for the fair-weather-patriots of "Teletubby" land, genuine patriotism will require far more than participation in emotionally arousing political events, loyally overspending at the neighborhood shopping mall, dutifully enduring the indignities of airport security molestations, the frenzied waving of flags, or childish jubilation each time this wanting President fortifies their feeble spirits with a few rehearsed words of bravado. Such behavior is nothing more than emotional indulgence, which might be suitable for the annual Fourth of July parade but is certainly no more than useless in the defense of our nation and freedoms. Having no desire to belabor this subject, we have three basic categories of people who claim to identify with American patriotism. The liberty-committed-patriots are to be honored, as they will endure sacrifices if and when necessary in defense of this nation and human rights. Following with a confused purpose are the pseudo-patriots, habitually displaying intense loyalty to political factions and their leaders but not to our nation and Constitution. They cannot conceive or appreciate ideologies beyond the confines of 'Party' indoctrination, and are willing pawns of the elite. Their usefulness as instruments of tyranny is obvious. Such no-questions-asked loyalties were necessary for enslaving the peoples of Communist China, Soviet Russia, and Nazi Germany. More recently, loyal Democrats enthusiastically either denied or justified the treasonous and criminal activities of the Clinton duo. Obedient Rush Limbaugh ditto-heads are doing likewise regarding George Bush's treasonous encroachments upon our liberties and nonexistent defense of constitutional principles. The unenlightened responses from both feuding clans are equally detrimental to liberty and the stability of our nation. Their blind loyalty has gained nothing more than contempt from genuine American patriots. These gladiators are responsible for the police state consequences now endured by so many, resulting from their support of the "USA Patriot Act" and the "Department of Homeland Security." Other than to add that they will receive a thorough thrashing from the hands of reality and wisdom after everything is lost, further comments would be pointless. Lastly, we have the dependency-motivated-patriots who are a sizeable and burdensome crowd indeed. People of this mentality were never the builders of our sovereign and prosperous nation, nor will they ever be its defenders. If not suckling at the nanny-state teat, they are whining for more bureaucratic guidance and emotional support. They lack personal responsibility, practicality, and dependability. Their goal is to enlist leaders who will fulfill all needs without requiring a sacrifice in exchange. They also deserve to be enslaved by the socialist oppressor. Do not look to these parasites for patriotic support. Nationally televised emotionalism may validate their fanciful visions of patriotism or arouse enough sensations of self-esteem to drag them through the day, but as their primary endeavor, cannot lead to a noble or victorious end. Unless patriotism embraces truth and stimulates honorable, thoughtful, and practical action, it will recklessly seduce us into feel-good or factional legislation, which renders regret and places all Americans in unnecessary positions of vulnerability. Defeating the Republican police state mandate will require patriotism based upon truth. Liberty Must Be Enjoyed and Defended By Everyone "Liberty is the only thing you cannot have unless you are willing to give it to others."William Allen White In accordance with traditional Western religions, God's gift of free will is given to all human beings. If this tenet is held as truth by the faithful, is not our interference in the lives of others hypocritical and a renunciation of God's plan for humanity? Why then, do we assume the right to control the lives others? Why do we tell our neighbor what he can and cannot do with his own body or property? Why must we assert moral superiority and impose our choice of lifestyles onto fellow Americans? Does our need to frustrate the lives of those who pursue their own vision of happiness arise from intellectual or spiritual immaturity? Instead of earnestly seeking harmonious interaction, thereby following the path of wisdom, are we lazily relying upon the discordant or prejudicial counsel from those who feign spiritual insight? Are we allowing the Jerry Falwells, Pat Robertsons, and Jimmy Swaggarts of this world to program our minds? I have a truism that is worthy of imparting to the zealous members of religious and special-interest factions who lament when their freedoms have been stolen, yet unhesitatingly encroach upon the unalienable rights of others. Accept as a certainty that unless we can allow our neighbor to live in freedom, we will eventually sacrifice our own liberties. Sooner or later, with the assistance of government, someone will determine that a few of your unalienable rights are unnecessary in our common pursuit of happiness. We are all guilty in some degree for using the all-powerful bureaucrat machine to impose our will upon fellow Americans. Most of us have also been unjustly controlled by such actions of others. Yet, identifying with their resistance is beyond our ability. Our way is absolute; we remain doggedly convinced of our own correctness. Regardless of the misery that we create for people of dissimilar ideologies, we are compelled to secure our ill-gotten position at the top. Do what you will, but encroach upon no other. Instead of traveling this judicious path of human interaction, we assault everyone's principles and lifestyles with our religious beliefs, social preferences, and political ideals, arrogantly demanding that they be grateful for our meddling ways. And, we do so in the most ruthless of manners; partisan legislation ultimately enforced by the guns of government. We are unwittingly placing the shackles of slavery on our children. Be certain that for every piece of special-interest legislation, someone other than the proponents will pay the price and bear the additional burden throughout life. When we stand committed to liberty and unified with the Constitution, further refusing to interfere with the lives of others, there will be liberty for all. Not until! Liberty must be enjoyed and defended by everyone. Defeating the Republican police state mandate will require allowing our neighbor the liberty to pursue his personal vision of happiness. Which Party Will Defend Liberty For All? The Republican and Democrat parties have a stranglehold on government, and they are destroying our nation. Neither obeys constitutional law, nor are they constrained by the Bill of Rights. And, both advance socialist "New World Order" programs. It has become evident to every aware person that they intend to use aggression towards other sovereign nations and domestic oppression whenever and wherever needed in order to achieve their nefarious goals. For them, there are no limitations placed on acceptable collateral damage. Both parties are self-serving, and care nothing about the stability of our sovereign Constitutional Republic. They have subverted our Constitution, and their behavior is nothing less than treason. The Republican and Democrat parties must be abolished. The following segment will more than likely be responsible for my loss of a few friendships. Be that as it may, my preference has never been to seek approval from others but rather to live and speak truth as I perceive it, and enjoy support from my conscience. Several sincere patriots have responded to my past articles by suggesting that I become a member of the Constitution Party. The principles defined in their predominantly Protestant-based political platform are exemplary and sustainable for those who are of like faith. Also an undeniable reality, America is now a nation of diverse beliefs and ideologiessome of which are critical of othersincluding a multitude of denominations and factions stemming from the Christian, Judaic, Islamic, Buddhistic, Hindu, and Wiccan creeds. Although incessantly argued, every religion embraces a spiritual truth which is cherished by the faithful, and not one is more or less meaningful than another. The nonreligious agnostics and atheists must not be excluded; they are also citizens of this nation. What is socially unacceptable or sinful for a Christian, Jew, and Muslim, might be socially and morally acceptable to a Buddhist, Hindu, Wiccan, or a nonreligious person. Some individuals select their actions and lifestyles based upon pragmatic determinations of 'survival' [guiltless/moral/good] and 'non-survival' [sinful/immoral/evil] of self or others. Absent of pietistic influence, their life sustaining decisions are also meaningful for them. Contrary to commonly held sentiments, religious adherents do not have exclusive possession of sincerity, compassion, or trustworthiness. Nor is love of country and good citizenship always attributed to religious/spiritual teachings. Though I acknowledge the well-meaning efforts of the Constitution Party, I must endorse the freethinking Libertarians due to their unambiguous position in defense of 'individual' liberty. While the patriotic participation of Constitution Party members in government is essential, it is reasonable to dissuade followers of ecclesiastically-based political movements from enacting their version of God's Word [morality] into federal or state law. Partisan legislation in this socially and religiously diverse nation is polarizing; it runs afoul of the equal protections guaranteed by our Founding Fathers. Discrimination from or towards anyone must not be a temptation in our Constitutional Republic, where liberty is recognized for every 'individual,' regardless of beliefs or lifestyle. The Libertarian Party is a defender of free will and victimless association. It is founded upon the principles of personal responsibility and self-ownership. The individual [consenting adult] determines what is morally acceptable or appropriate for his/her own body, further bearing the consequences of actions taken. Libertarians are committed to a constitutional government, where the Constitution and Bill of Rights are obeyed to the letter. Libertarianism does not promote one religion or lifestyle over another. And, Libertarians will restrain government from giving social or religious preference to anyone. Our focus should be to elect candidates with constitutional principles into office. If the Libertarian Party becomes the governing 'Party,' we will be able to pursue our spiritual or worldly goals as we deem fit. The free exercise of all religions will be equally protected. Objectionable actions and lifestyles will always be with us, but choice of association will be ours, and not imposed by government. Special rights will be given to no one. Defending self or family from unnatural and offensive behavior will again be possible. Bureaucrats will never again tell the people how to conduct their lives. The Libertarian Party will defend constitutional law; that is the fundamental purpose for its existence. Unless we foolishly presume that entitlementspaid for by fellow Americansare a constitutional right, what more does a religious or nonreligious person need in our daily pursuit of happiness? Defeating the Republican police state mandate will require electing candidates with unwavering constitutional principles. Liberty-Committed-Solidarity I call upon all Americans of good heart to unite for the purpose of liberty. Eradicate tyranny from our land. If we are unable to effectively unite in this noble cause, I fear that our sovereign Constitutional Republic will be lost to the ages. For the preservation of our nation, human rights, family, and self, please give the following advisory due consideration. Perhaps it is beyond our capabilities or perceived individual interests to express unconditional love to all of humanity. It is a goal that I personally find difficult to achieve. I do know, however, that it is well within our grasp to unite in defense of national freedom. Have we not yet endured enough bureaucratic molestation? How much more abuse will be necessary before the blood of our fragmented fellow Americans begins to boil in unison? When will we the people of this nation stand in agreement and with full force in our common struggle for liberty? We can ill-afford to waste our time, resources, and energies by dwelling upon inequities of the past. My appeal extends to genuine conservatives who have been betrayed by their Republican Party, liberals who are principally concerned for their personal freedoms, members of the Constitution Party, non-committed independents, and Libertarians, to rise above our conflicts. Do not be distracted by matters that are irrelevant to the unified defense of liberty. Focus instead upon the most malignant of cancers in our nation. "New World Order" Socialism! Our illness is grave, and we can no longer ignore the difficult yet certain cure of liberty-committed-solidarity. I realize that a call for the unity of opposing factions will appear extreme to many readers. Until the government atrocities at Ruby Ridge and Waco occurred, I would have agreed. These police state massacres were like tanks proceeding in my direction, and they ignited my everlasting attention. On those calamitous days, all Americans along with the Bill of Rights became victims of our rebellious government. The innocent men, women, and children murdered by the FBI and BATF were acceptable collateral damage in the government's war on individualism and nonconformity. Our government, which is indeed dominated by the Republican and Democrat parties, is determined to enforce bureaucratically prescribed social and political standards regardless of lost lives. Three short statements by President Bush are absolutely true: "This is a new age." "We are at war." "We must be vigilant." The responsibility falls upon the people to determine the true identity and strategy of their enemy. Unless we unite for the 'singular' purpose of restoring liberty, the ugliest effects of extremism will soon become major distractions in our daily lives. Without decisive action, prayer and hope will not deliver us. The people can either accept or refute the soundness of this advice. Defeating the Republican police state mandate will require liberty-committed-solidarity. "We must, indeed, all hang together or most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."Benjamin Franklin
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