HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!
IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America
233 years ago, these words headlined a document that literally changed how the world thought about government and what responsibilities government had to the governed. This was not a laundry list cooked up over an all night ale session; this was a list of grievances presented by men who were well aware of the importance of their words. This document was a culmination of oppressive acts committed over a period of time by a petty tyrant king. Perhaps they did not have the prescience to know how much their words would change the world, but they had to know how those words would effect their world.
These were not a bunch of uneducated farmers. Most of them were classically educated men. They were familiar with the works of Hobbes, Locke, Bacon and others. They were the liberals of their age. A liberalism dedicated to making men free from a tyrannical government and its lust for power, tribute and taxation.
Sadly, liberalism today is much different as it seeks to enslave mankind to a government, rather than free them from such oppression. If we are to remain a free people, unencumbered by oppressive taxation and control of the citizenry through oppressive government meddling, we need to return to the roots of the tree of liberty.
It will be a difficult chore as long as the news cycle is dominated by a dead, drug addicted, freak show. It will be difficult as long as we are bombarded with the message that only government can help you or heal you. It will be impossible as long as we are ridiculed by the intelligentsia for believing in a God and in Natural Law. It is those two things that the Socialists fear the most.
For now, enjoy today and what freedom we have left. We are not yet wards of the state, but it's coming. It might be then that the tree of liberty will have to be watered.
VW
Happy 4th, VW. It's a great country, even if it's sometimes a strange culture.
Words being what they are, defining liberalism so narrowly as an ideology that "seeks to enslave mankind to government" is about as useful as declaring that all Christians should support the assassination of abortion doctors. I'm sure that *some* people out there would agree that that's a good idea…but most followers of J.C. would decry that sort of methodology; ultimately, the ends don't justify the means.
On the other hand…it's a sad day when *anyone* gets ridiculed for their beliefs, and so if you feel like you've been ridiculed by the intelligentsia for your belief in God and Natural Law…well, that ain't right. I can't apologize for anyone else's behavior or actions…but, I'd *like* to be able to.
Posted by: Scott | Saturday, July 04, 2009 at 17:29