Liberty, and the Rule of Law, Part One: Liberty, American Style

By C.N. Costa

Introduction by J. Michael Fuentes

The Rule of Law is based upon Thomas Jefferson's reference to Natural Law in the Declaration of Independence. The following article is C.N. Costa's take on Liberty in America and how we have shaped history with these sound principles regarding some of the most controversial concepts in the post-Progressive Age. This article is meant to be a frank assessment of the Laws of Nature and Nature's God. These views have been earned by a lifetime of reading about and (unlike progressives) actually living in the real world. Progressives can spend their time reading this instead of trying to talk over him (for once), and maybe, just maybe, learn the truth about life, the universe, and everything.

This is part one of a two part article on his perception of topics of concern in the world today:

Liberty: American Style

The most important tool of liberty is our minds. Throughout history, the greatest minds have contemplated liberty's meaning. It is our uniquely American view that keeps us free in a way that no other country can claim. There was a time when our liberty was a cause worth fighting for. As Americans we have enjoyed freedom so long that we no longer contemplate what makes us free. I could spend hours discussing the following topics, with anyone; and it would not be wasted time. These are all important topics that every American should have strong opinions about. I am letting my voice be heard. Are you able to do the same?

The Constitution

This is arguably the greatest document ever written. I have read it a few times, and each time that I do, I find some other nuance that endears me to this document even more. There are some problems I have with the wording of this great document though. The language isn’t strong enough, and because of this people are ignoring key parts of this document.

There are some who think that the Constitution is a permit for government to do whatever it wants and get away with it. The Constitution of the United States establishes and severely limits the powers of the government. The first ten amendments (The Bill of Rights) secure, for the People, specific protections from the federal and states' governments, and protections for the governments of the individual States.

The purpose of these protections was to prevent a Totalitarian government from ever taking hold in the country that our founders fought and died for. To prevent that from happening, this document was created with the idea that the majority of the power in the United States was left to the People, then to the individual States.

Government size

It is harder for a small government to steal rights from the people. The Federal government was designed to be small in relation to the size of the country. If you need proof of this, look no further than our third President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson; the writer of the Declaration of Independence and, arguably the smartest man of his time (or any other), thought the government he inherited from John Adams was already too big. He expanded the size of the country and reduced the size of the Federal government. He lowered taxes, and scaled back the national debt.

Debt

We need to have the option to occasionally borrow money to handle the unforeseen. We do not need to live off of our credit cards. I don’t disagree with Alexander Hamilton that a national debt was necessary to establish the credit of our young country. However, we have taken this to ridiculous levels. The ability of our country to barrow money is necessary; however we need to cap the total amount we can borrow in a way that isn’t arbitrary. We need an amendment that limits the total debt to either a fixed number of years, or a hard percentage of the budget.

Gun Control

The first type of people is those who want others to protect them. I call them sheep.

The second is the types that takes from others, rather than produce for themselves. They are the wolves.

The third is the type that feels they need to protect the weak. They are sheepdogs.

The best way to keep wolves from eating sheep is not to have a lot of sheepdogs. The best way, is to arm the sheep.

Religion

In America, we have many different views. The only time we are wrong is when we seek to silence those views through legislation under the guise of tolerance. To begin, I am an agnostic. I know that there are higher powers in the universe, but I do not feel the need to attach dogma to these beliefs. I do not wrong anyone for their religion, or lack of one. I do not think that the intent of any religion is hateful, but a lot of people commit acts of hate in the name of their faith.

Media

Like a religion, people will follow a presented narrative to the end; and the only way to remain free is to let the people choose which narrative to follow. The short lived idea of objective journalism has given way to overly biased point-of-view journalism. Radio, TV, Websites, Movies, Plays, Newspapers, and Books are overwhelmingly controlled and produced (in the normal use) by people of a common ideology. So pervasive is this view of the world that when a counterpoint is shown, it stands in stark contrast to the status quo.

Because of, rather than in spite of this inbreeding of ideas it is the quickest to be transformed in to propaganda by ruthless agendas. The diversity and availability of media to reach everybody has been used as a tool for molding the view of the people by those in power since the Roman Empire. The American contribution to this was the corporatization of media, and because of our lack of a totalitarian government propaganda is more prevalent than ever.

Taxes

To paraphrase one of my favorite authors, the only legitimate roles of government is the police, the military, and the courts. While there are other jobs I believe the government has a right to put their hand in, they are immaterial to this discussion. (They are included in the Constitution.) For your taxes, you get protections from threats both foreign and domestic, and you get also get interpretation and protection of the law. These are legitimate services that government provides. If you ask for more illegitimate services and safeguards from the government you will pay more in taxes. A republican (in the classic usage) form of government is like a business in that it provides a service. Think about that when you ask for more entitlements.

In today's society, we get caught up in the frivolities of pop culture and media hype, forgetting the fundamentals that allowed us to become the greatest society in recorded history. Free thought and open, honest debate are the only ways we can keep our intellectual and physical freedom. What I have learned in my life, through research and experience, is not the end-all of opinions on the subject; they are merely my point of view. I am letting my voice be heard. Are you able to do the same?