Image credit: LibertyManiacs.com
Quoting Thomas Jefferson's famous adage that the tree of liberty must be refreshed with the blood of patriots and tyrants is well and good; but please show me where a duly elected majority party in Congress and a popular US president enacting their agenda constitutes "tyranny."
I had the pleasure of being criticized by the Boston Gun Rights Examiner, Ron Bokleman, who claimed in his post Tuesday that I am out of touch for suggesting that conservatives have gone over the line in advocating revolution against their government -- not even 100 days into the new administration.
Bokleman says the Tax Day Tea Parties taking place across the country Wednesday are a "signal to our State and Federal governments that we are very unhappy with both parties in power and the corrupt system they continue to feed with our hard earned wages. Yes, taxes are necessary to fund governments legitimate purpose as defined in Constitution, but after that they are theft."
I have no issue with such demonstrations. What concerns me is the rhetoric being spread within conservative and far-right circles that President Obama has somehow embraced tyranny, or that violent resistance is justified.
It concerns me that a broad segment of the citizenry has apparently refused to recognize the legitimacy of this government and have opted to take their political opposition outside of the "accepted channels of politics," as Bokleman says.
What concerns me most is that, in the name of opposition to the policies of the legitimately elected and Constitutional government in power, which happens to be run by Democrats, the GOP has opted to go outside of the "accepted channels" to encourage 'revolution," as GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann told Sean Hannity she believes is necessary on his program late last month.
Bachmann also invoked the spirit of Thomas Jefferson in her rant on Hannity's radio program, as Bokleman did again in criticizing me. Here is what Bachmann said, according to a transcript, via the liberal outfit and media watchdog group Media Matters:
BACHMANN: At this point, the American people -- it's like Thomas Jefferson said, a revolution every now and then is a good thing. We are at the point, Sean, of revolution. And by that, what I mean -- an orderly revolution, where the people of this country wake up and get up and make a decision that this is not going to happen on their watch. It won't be our children and grandchildren that are in debt. It is we who are in debt. We will be bankrupt in this country inside of 10 years if we don't get a grip. And we can't let the Democrats achieve their ends any longer.
Remember, this is an elected official, one who has a responsibility to represent her constituents, her party, and even her country.
I ask: What about "loyal opposition?" Is this what conservatives think it means to be patriotic?
Special Report: Obama's First 100 DaysExclusive examiner.com coverage of the Obama administration's promise to bring about change.
Comments
Sometimes a patriot must advocate harsh action when the government begins to enact policies that are directly contrary to the best interests of the nation and its people.
Duly elected or not, these Liberals are enemies of America and the whole of the free world. While a nonviolent response is greatly to be preferred, armed revolt cannot be casually discarded as a means of redressing these wrongs.
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