As our nation's town hall meetings boil over, I would like to take the time to thank a couple of people I would normally not support. Senators Arlen Specter and Claire McCaskill, not matter how they handled their meetings or how they vote on the floor, at least conceded some points recently. Both met with extreme opposition at recent meetings. They are also following a new trend among Democrats emerging from these town hall battles. They went on the record saying they were impressed by the preparedness of people arguing their views at the town halls. Senator Specter said "It's more than health care, I think there is a mood in America of anger with so many people unemployed, with so much bickering in Washington ... with the fear of losing their health care. It all boils over." These are among a couple of stories among a growing number in the news who are giving credit to their constituents rather than demonizing them with the same hate speech they rail against frequently.
Now lets not forget a few things here. I am no believer that any government health care will work nationally. Maybe we could pay for it if we had a multi-trillion dollar surplus rather than a deficit. I am just a little happier to see members of Congress treating their constituents like they are supposed to...like the intelligent citizens they are, rather than the raving lunatics some paint dissenters to be.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
What the 1st Amendment Means
Over two centuries ago, the founders of our nation decided it was necessary to expand on our Constitution. The idea that we are all created with certain inalienable rights was great, but they knew better. They seemed to foresee days like these where our rights could be interpreted by the Government. The Bill of Rights was conceived because of this, and was purposefully to the point and simple to avoid confusion. The actual text says that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech..." Pretty simple. The letter of the law says exactly what it means. The Government can not simply come out and tell you what you can not say. The spirit of the law seems to be lost on many these days.
One of the pivotal and new ideas in our Bill of Rights was the concept of being able to challenge the Government. That is also why the Second Amendment exists. The right for Americans to protest and show dissenting views without reprisal is a major key to our freedom. Our Constitution also affords equal protection under the law. That means that when groups organize protests outside of political events calling American soldiers war criminals can not complain when groups protest a Government health care system. This also means that our Government and its representatives can not condone actions by some political groups while condemning others. The only exception to freedom of speech is when the views expressed cause implicit harm to a person or group of people. People overly worked up and concerned about the health care bill are hardly causing harm to anybody. Our Senators verbally attacking health care protesters is as distasteful as condemning the Freedom Riders protecting our heroes during their funerals.
I do not care what side of the political aisle you are on. Our freedoms are at risk today. Even if you disagree with your neighbor on health care, at least have the decency to agree with them that they are absolutely in their right to disagree with your viewpoint. I will argue with anybody over the merits of the current legislation. What I will not do is condemn anybody for expressing a viewpoint other than my own. Congress would be wise to remember the golden rules of some wiser generations that came before us.
-Patriot
One of the pivotal and new ideas in our Bill of Rights was the concept of being able to challenge the Government. That is also why the Second Amendment exists. The right for Americans to protest and show dissenting views without reprisal is a major key to our freedom. Our Constitution also affords equal protection under the law. That means that when groups organize protests outside of political events calling American soldiers war criminals can not complain when groups protest a Government health care system. This also means that our Government and its representatives can not condone actions by some political groups while condemning others. The only exception to freedom of speech is when the views expressed cause implicit harm to a person or group of people. People overly worked up and concerned about the health care bill are hardly causing harm to anybody. Our Senators verbally attacking health care protesters is as distasteful as condemning the Freedom Riders protecting our heroes during their funerals.
I do not care what side of the political aisle you are on. Our freedoms are at risk today. Even if you disagree with your neighbor on health care, at least have the decency to agree with them that they are absolutely in their right to disagree with your viewpoint. I will argue with anybody over the merits of the current legislation. What I will not do is condemn anybody for expressing a viewpoint other than my own. Congress would be wise to remember the golden rules of some wiser generations that came before us.
-Patriot
Friday, August 7, 2009
Freedom for Americans
American public,
Today I start my life as yet another blogger. With the little skill I have acquired in language these past years and a little luck, perhaps you might come to enjoy these little sessions. In that case, may we have a long and wonderful relationship as blogger and public readership.
Many issues face our country today. Most of our problems seemingly come from within. Everybody accuses everybody else of some injustice or wrongdoing. It is becoming a little distasteful. Someday we may return to having normal intellectual discourse. In the days where our federal government seeks further power of the course of our lives, I smile to find some things never change. Today's little nugget of joy is gleaned from the New Hampshire State Constitution, Bill of Rights, Article 10.
"[Art.] 10. [Right of Revolution.] Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind."
Some people will see why the framers of this constitution felt it necessary to add this clause. If you do not see the necessity of such a thing, then I urge you to look again at your world. Watch the news. See what your government does to citizens who wish to be heard, to have a part in the direction of their own future. We can only stand idly by for so long. Upon more and more porches across these United States, flying stalwart in the face of oppression, is the flag of Colonel Christopher Gadsden. If you are not familiar with the yellow flag of the courageous few, please take the time to research what it used to mean to want to be an American.
Today I start my life as yet another blogger. With the little skill I have acquired in language these past years and a little luck, perhaps you might come to enjoy these little sessions. In that case, may we have a long and wonderful relationship as blogger and public readership.
Many issues face our country today. Most of our problems seemingly come from within. Everybody accuses everybody else of some injustice or wrongdoing. It is becoming a little distasteful. Someday we may return to having normal intellectual discourse. In the days where our federal government seeks further power of the course of our lives, I smile to find some things never change. Today's little nugget of joy is gleaned from the New Hampshire State Constitution, Bill of Rights, Article 10.
"[Art.] 10. [Right of Revolution.] Government being instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security, of the whole community, and not for the private interest or emolument of any one man, family, or class of men; therefore, whenever the ends of government are perverted, and public liberty manifestly endangered, and all other means of redress are ineffectual, the people may, and of right ought to reform the old, or establish a new government. The doctrine of nonresistance against arbitrary power, and oppression, is absurd, slavish, and destructive of the good and happiness of mankind."
Some people will see why the framers of this constitution felt it necessary to add this clause. If you do not see the necessity of such a thing, then I urge you to look again at your world. Watch the news. See what your government does to citizens who wish to be heard, to have a part in the direction of their own future. We can only stand idly by for so long. Upon more and more porches across these United States, flying stalwart in the face of oppression, is the flag of Colonel Christopher Gadsden. If you are not familiar with the yellow flag of the courageous few, please take the time to research what it used to mean to want to be an American.
I am an American Citizen
I am an American Soldier
Don't Tread On Me
I am an American Soldier
Don't Tread On Me
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