Essential Concepts IV--How did we get here and what will change it?

October 30, 3:39 PMColumbia Conservative ExaminerAnthony G. Martin

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Conservatives, libertarians, and other Patriots in the right-of-center of American politics are ever-so aware of the trouble our Republic is in.  The question is, how did we get here and what will change it?  What brought us to this critical and dangerous juncture in our history as a nation?

In yesterday's column we examined some of the various safeguards the Framers included in the U.S. Constitution to protect our liberties from a bull-headed mob that is intent on forcing the issue of 'simple majority rule' that is inherent in a democracy.

It was as if the Founders were telling the majority-rule mob that wishes to override the liberties of the people with a simple majority vote, 'NO YOU CAN'T.'

But of course, just like Barack Obama, the 'progressives' respond with 'YES WE CAN!'

'Yes,' they say, 'We can do whatever we want.  We can vote to negate your rights if we think they are a stumbling block to our ultimate goals and objectives.'

And this is precisely how we got to this point.  Progressive politicians and operatives use demagoguery to persuade the unschooled electorate that it is for their own good that they give up some of their rights 'for the broader good.'

And make no mistake about it, our liberties have taken a hit.  Note the number of laws and regulations the government has placed on firearms, for example.  Since when did an 'unalienable right' that 'shall not be infringed' be subjected to such draconian infringements?

In addition, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that our speech, and even our thoughts, are monitored, regulated, and restricted by government.  So called 'hate crime' laws are a perfect case in point.  In a free society we do not punish motivation.  We punish the act.  But now certain groups are given special protections not only from heinous acts but from the thoughts that led to the acts.  This nothing less than sheer mind-control.

The 'politically-correct' movement arising out of Progressivism has made it all but a crime to merely speak certain words.  And if they had their way, they would make them crimes.  Notice how the European Union and Canada, for example, treats liberty-promoting politicians such as Geert Wilders and columnists such as Mark Steyn for merely pointing out that radical Islam is dangerous to the liberties of free societies.  Both have been treated as criminals for saying such things.

However, the key point to remember is how we got here.  It was a gradual, incremental scheme implemented by the Progressive Movement that believes in ultimate government authority over human beings.

First, they implemented the Income Tax.  Then, they nationalized services that could be provided by the private sector.  Next came environmentalism that places the needs of endangered microscopic fish over that of private property owners (and yes, this concept had its beginnings all the way back in the last part of the 19th century).  Then there was Prohibition that forbade the sale of alcohol.

By the way, did you know it was the Progressives that clung to the continuation of Prohibition throughout the 1920s, even as the citizens demonstrated with their actions that they had no intention of obeying it?

After that, of course, there was the New Deal that prolonged the economic depression with excessive government regulation, tax hikes, and bailouts.  Only World War II was able to get us out of the Great Depression.

Then we had Lyndon Johnson's 'Great Society' which implemented the most sweeping government programs we've ever had, leading to a permanent underclass we call 'the welfare state.'

Government has done nothing in the midst of this but grow bigger and more intrusive...and oppressive.

And we must not forget that ultimate, monolithic symbol of global progressivism and paternalistic oppression, the UNITED NATIONS.

Only the administration of Ronald Reagan gave us a brief respite from the relentless march of the Progressive Movement to seize control of society from top to bottom.  And today, we see the ultimate consequences of a 100-year progression toward government oppression.

Communists, Maoists, domestic terrorists, and admirers of Che Guevara, Fidel Castro, and Hugo Chavez occupy the top positions in the Obama White House.  Attempts are made to squelch any speech that the White House deems as unacceptable.  The FCC has declared war on conservative talk radio.  A 'pay czar' has admitted he wants to see the demise of American capitalism.  A panel of social engineers and wacko doctors want to implement healthcare rationing, the rules of which are to be determined by government.  And a President has declared war on a news network (Fox) for no other reason than it dares to ask him the tough questions that need to be asked.

After 100 years of the relentless assault by the forces of anti-freedom, we stand at this hour on the brink of complete collapse as a free society.

What can we do about it?

Here are some thoughts, some possibilities.  They are not to be viewed as a plan for implementation being endorsed by this writer but only as concepts to be considered by concerned citizens.

First, we need not just a million protesters in Washington for a 912-Project, Tea Party, and Oath Keepers march.  We need 100 million citizens to become activists to take this country back from charlatans who masquerade as 'democratic representatives of the people.'  Actually they represent nothing but their own ideology and subversive agenda to dismantle the Constitutional Republic our forefathers gave us.  They need to be booted out of Washington.  In fact, we need a complete house-cleaning from top to bottom--in the White House, the Senate, the House, and the Courts.

Unless those who swore an oath to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States actually begin to adhere to that oath, then they need to be shown the door, ousted from office.

Second, citizens need to get serious about considering civil disobedience by refusing to pay taxes to fund this entirely illegitimate government.

Third, citizens could well consider a massive, non-violent invasion of Congress.  The objective?  To shut it down.  Unless these boneheaded numbskulls stop with their continual attacks on free speech, capitalism, and measures that will ruin our good healthcare and rob us of our money through oppressive taxation, then perhaps the citizens should simply  move into the chambers of Congress, en mass, taking the floor with one purpose in mind--shutting the thing down until a new election can be held.

Fourth, if the previous measures are too strong for you to stomach, then do all you can to protest.  Ring the phones of Congress and the White House off the hooks.  Bombard them with emails of protest.  Faxes too.  Take to the streets with placards that show your utter contempt for the enemies of liberty we somehow allowed to take control of the halls of government.

And then, VOTE OUT THE BUMS!  2010 could be a watershed year in the history of our Republic.  In fact, it could be the election that SAVES the Republic.  Don't let Party allegiance or some sort of sentimental attachment to your own Senator or Representative dissuade you.  Vote them out!  And be sure to support only those candidates who have a sincere conviction about the restoration of Constitutional law in the land.

Perhaps this is the year that we oust both the Democrats and the GOP.  Independent conservatives should be given a chance to clean up the mess left by Progressives in both Parties.

For commentary on other issues, visit my blog at The Liberty Sphere.