Liberty: Why I think the way I do. Part 4

In the last post, I made the comment that government can’t do anything that you yourself cannot do. This is because government has no powers except those that its citizens lend it.  This concept really changed the way I looked at taxation, war etc.  For example,  if I have two neighbors and one is rich and one is poor, I cannot force the first neighbor to give money to the second.  Of course it is the responsibility of the neighbors too look out for each other, but force cannot be involved.  One of our most important natural rights is the right to personal property, so you own yourself and your other property, and other’s are not to rob you of any these.  The same principal may apply to taxation by government, which is essentially removal of your funds by force. If you don’t think taxation is backed up by force or the threat of force, try not paying them sometime! This is not to say that we shouldn’t pay some taxes for some things like defense or roads, but our current system is by definition immoral.

War is another good example of this idea. Are there times when one nation is fully justified in invading and occupying another? You bet! But throughout history war has occurred a lot more often than is justifiable by the moral conditions set by Natural Law.  If I have a neighbor who has something that I want, or doesn’t mow his grass enough etc., I cannot invade his house and take over his property.  In the same way one nation doesn’t have the authority to do such things to another.  However, if my neighbor is threatening me, or has invaded my home, then I have the Natural Right to take action in order to defend myself.   Our founders proclaimed that our nation should be a lot like modern day Switzerland. We were to be a strong, free nation, changing other nations through example, not through entangling alliances or police action, unless a direct threat to our own security was present.

Our founders knew that government by its very nature grows more and more each year and grabs for more and more power that it really has no authority to reach for. This is why they set up our country to be a nation of laws not of man.  Our laws are (at least 0rigonally) written to apply to everyone equally. This is to prevent individuals from gaining power over others through unethical means or through pure charisma.  This also  prevents the foundation of a royal class and requires politicians to be elected every so often instead of gaining their offices by heredity.

To conclude this post I will add the remainder of Thomas Paine’s Rights of Man.

• Four: Political Liberty consists in the power of doing whatever does not Injure another. The exercise of the Natural Rights of every Man, has no other limits than those which are necessary to secure to every other Man the Free exercise of the same Rights; and these limits are determinable only by the Law.

• Five: The Law ought to Prohibit only actions hurtful to Society. What is not Prohibited by the Law should not be hindered; nor should anyone be compelled to that which the Law does not Require.

• Six: the Law is an expression of the Will of the Community. All Citizens have a right to concur, either personally or by their Representatives, in its formation. It Should be the same to all, whether it protects or punishes; and all being equal in its sight, are equally eligible to all Honours, Places, and employments, according to their different abilities, without any other distinction than that created by their Virtues and talents.

• Seven: No Man should be accused, arrested, or held in confinement, except in cases determined by the Law, and according to the forms which it has prescribed. All who promote, solicit, execute, or cause to be executed, arbitrary orders, ought to be punished, and every Citizen called upon, or apprehended by virtue of the Law, ought immediately to obey, and renders himself culpable by resistance.

• Eight: The Law ought to impose no other penalties but such as are absolutely and evidently necessary; and no one ought to be punished, but in virtue of a Law promulgated before the offence, and Legally applied.

• Nine: Every Man being presumed innocent till he has been convicted, whenever his detention becomes indispensable, all rigour to him, more than is necessary to secure his person, ought to be provided against by the Law.

• Ten: No Man ought to be molested on account of his opinions, not even on account of his Religious opinions, provided his avowal of them does not disturb the Public Order established by the Law.

• Eleven: The unrestrained communication of thoughts and opinions being one of the Most Precious Rights of Man, every Citizen may speak, write, and publish freely, provided he is responsible for the abuse of this Liberty, in cases determined by the Law.

• Twelve: A Public force being necessary to give security to the Rights of Men and of Citizens, that force is instituted for the benefit of the Community and not for the particular benefit of the persons to whom it is intrusted.

• Thirteen: A common contribution being necessary for the support of the Public force, and for defraying the other expenses of Government, it ought to be divided equally among the Members of the Community, according to their abilities.

• Fourteen: every Citizen has a Right, either by himself or his Representative, to a free voice in determining the necessity of Public Contributions, the appropriation of them, and their amount, mode of assessment, and duration.

• Fifteen: every Community has a Right to demand of all its agents an account of their conduct.

• Sixteen: every Community in which a Separation of Powers and a Security of Rights is not Provided for, wants a Constitution.

• Seventeen: The Right to Property being inviolable and sacred, no one ought to be deprived of it, except in cases of evident Public necessity, legally ascertained, and on condition of a previous just Indemnity.

Now I didn’t read all of this stuff before I felt the way I do about liberty, I knew in my gut that it was right and was very excited to see that our founders felt the same and were eloquent enough to put it in writing!

Now I’ve tried my best to explain where our personal rights come from, next time I’ll talk about the ideal distribution of power in a free republic. As we continue I’ll build up and add to the concepts previously discussed and use them to explain why I feel the way I do about current issues.

Live Free!

[Via http://libertywell.wordpress.com]

Get off our backs!

These need to be viewed by every person and every school child in America. What a remarkable lesson in history and civics. Judge Andrew Napolitano does an excellent job in enunciating what the US Constitution says and does not say.

The US Constitution was, is and shall remain a guard against government intrusion, not a license for government to do ANYTHING beyond what is enumerated in the Preamble.

Below are Parts 1, 2, and 3 of 3 parts of an incredible speech by Judge Napolitano.

[Via http://conservativepoliticalblog.wordpress.com]

Cavalry Arms owner pleads guilty!

For those unaware of Cavalry Arms. They manufactured a polymer lower for the AR platform. Providing a very lightweight lower.  They’ve been essentially under-siege by the BATFE for approximately two years.

The owner, Vincent, stated that 90% of the goverment’s original case was dismissed. The final contention is a charge that the owner knowingly sold firearms to an out-of-state resident – in California.

Most of the articles I read online provided little info and declared how such illegal sales are almost always used in crimes, etc.

The following article is one of the only ones I have read that gives any counter-point or details on the matter.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2010/02/22/20100222guns-gilbert.html

Apparently, the firearms sold to the resident of California were actually stored in Arizona with the firearms dealer.

For those unaware of the situation in California. It has become a little bit ridiculous. Massive restrictions on firearm ownership, approved firearm lists that can limit a purchase based on color, and police officers who believe they should be shooting law abiding citizens for trying to preserve their 2nd Amendment rights.

It’s quite probably that many of the firearms purchased were not on the approved California list. To give you an idea on just how restrictive this list is.  I just googled and found a link to the roster. There are only 1300 approved pistols on the list, a drop in the bucket when compared to the thousands and thousands of different models. To a collector, it’s like saying you can collect the Yankees but not Red Sox baseball cards.

Frankly, I am of the opinion that if a firearm is not allowed to be in your state. You should still have the right to own and store that property where it is legal.  But I am of a lot of opinions that California residents are getting close to justifying a lot of things.

[Via http://nugun.wordpress.com]

Premier of Newfoundland defends decision to seek surgery in the USA

Political Map of Canada

Story from the Canadian Press. (H/T ECM, Lone Wolf Archer)

Excerpt:

An unapologetic Danny Williams says he was aware his trip to the United States for heart surgery earlier this month would spark outcry, but he concluded his personal health trumped any public fallout over the controversial decision.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Williams said he went to Miami to have a “minimally invasive” surgery for an ailment first detected nearly a year ago, based on the advice of his doctors.

“This was my heart, my choice and my health,” Williams said late Monday from his condominium in Sarasota, Fla.

“I did not sign away my right to get the best possible health care for myself when I entered politics.”

[...]His doctors in Canada presented him with two options – a full or partial sternotomy, both of which would’ve required breaking bones, he said.

He said he spoke with and provided his medical information to a leading cardiac surgeon in New Jersey who is also from Newfoundland and Labrador. He advised him to seek treatment at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami.

That’s where he was treated by Dr. Joseph Lamelas, a cardiac surgeon who has performed more than 8,000 open-heart surgeries.

Williams said Lamelas made an incision under his arm that didn’t require any bone breakage.

Canadian politicians regularly trumpet the superiority of the Canadian system when running for re-election, but when it’s their health in the balance, they sing a different tune.

Consider former Liberal prime minister of Canada, Jean Chretien?

Jean Chretien takes his own family to private health clinics. In fact, he doesn’t just use U.S.-style private clinics. He actually goes to private clinics in the U.S.

And he flies to those U.S. private clinics on Canadian government jets, paid for by Canadian tax dollars.

According to access-to-information documents obtained by the Canadian Alliance, on Feb. 8, 1999, Chretien and two aides flew from Vancouver to Minnesota, home of the Mayo Clinic. According to air force flight logs, they flew back to Ottawa that afternoon with Chretien’s daughter. And on Dec. 11 of the same year, Chretien went back to the clinic, this time just with his wife and his aide.

These trips were courtesy of the Canadian Forces 412th Squadron, which has flown literally thousands of nautical miles taking Chretien back and forth to the clinic.

And what about former Liberal MP Belinda Stronach?

Liberal MP Belinda Stronach, who is battling breast cancer, travelled to California last June for an operation that was recommended as part of her treatment, says a report.

Stronach’s spokesman, Greg MacEachern… said the decision was made because the U.S. hospital was the best place to have it done due to the type of surgery required.

But these Liberals are just regular leftists. What about the socialist leader Jack Layton? Surely a socialist wouldn’t take advantage of free market capitalism to be treated unequally, would he? That would be so greedy and capitalist!

NDP Leader Jack Layton, who’s campaigning as the defender of public health care, had surgery at a private clinic in the 1990s, The Canadian Press has learned. Layton had hernia surgery at the Shouldice Hospital, a private facility in the Toronto suburb of Thornhill, while he was serving as a Toronto city councillor.

Capitalism for me, but not for thee, eh, comrade?

Related posts

• Government-run health care is really about redistributing wealth
• Cato Institute destroys the myths of inferior health care in the USA
• Canadian politicians rejects single-payer health care to get treated in USA
• How does health care in the USA compare with other countries?
• Videos explaining what government-run health care is like in Canada
• Canada cuts deal with US hospitals to reduce waiting times
• Understand the right way to reform health care… with short podcasts!

Belinda Stronach, Canada, Capitalism, Care, Communism, Danny Williams, Die, Drugs, Equality, Film, Fraser Institute, Free Market, Freedom, Government, Health, Jack Layton, Liberal, Liberal Hypocrisy, Liberal Party, Liberty, Michael Moore, National, Nationalized, NDP, New Democrat Party, Sex Change, Single-Payer, Single-Payer Health Care, Socialism, Socialized, Socialized Medicine, Wait, Waiting List, Wealth Redistribution

[Via http://winteryknight.wordpress.com]

Thought for 2-23-10 - Obama's new health proposal

President Obama’s 11 page ‘new’ health proposal is a slimmed down version of the present bills that would probably look more similar to the Republican ideas but will still pretty much be an insurance industry takeover and will still cost, in my opinion, way more than stated. It not really anything much ‘new’, just an attempt to resell it. In his own words he said he was guilty of a poor sales job in his first attempt. This is his second. It will be his last as well. His back is against the wall.

Looks like the feds would set ‘plan standards’ or minimums and regulate through another level of bureaucracy with no federal government insurance, but mandates for everyone to have coverage (to lower overall costs) through state based approved insurance markets.

There would also be high risk assigned pools like with auto insurance (where you go if you get a DWI). Looks like it might eliminate or cut that ‘high end policy’ tax and give small business tax breaks.

The proposal would impose fees on drug companies and Medicare tax increases for the wealthiest as well as taxes on non-earned investment income like capital gains (another as yet untapped tax potential).

The feds would have the ability to limit rate increases and institute computerized records and claims filing to lower costs and speed up payments.

It would also close the so called ‘donut hole’ in Medicare prescription coverage over the next ten years.

Even some of Obama’s own people are skeptical and his hardliners are even saying that his proposal is basically a ‘shot in the foot’ for the summit Thursday. And all of this is being attempted for the benefit of about ten percent of the population.

I expect this administration to continue to flail until they resort to the ‘reconciliation process’ to get it passed with only 51 votes, which they may not even have after Thursday. If they do this, however, you can expect a massive outcry from all over the country. Much of that will be weeping and gnashing of teeth by the democrats who will lose their seats in May and November. I guess there is hope and change after all.

It would tickle my funny bone to see old Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi stroke out if they fail to get it done. Obama is history. His already historically low approval rating is going to tank. He can’t move on to any of the other critical issues facing this country until he can finish this and right now he is like a snapping turtle who won’t let go until lightning strikes.

[Via http://ozarkfreedomfighter1.wordpress.com]

Lest We Forget Our Men and Women

Today I wanted to honor our returned men and women of the Armed Forces.

I have written so many articles on what is going wrong in the world, that I decided to write about something of a personal experience I had last week.

Things we all take for granted that do not cost an arm or a leg, except for those military men who would gladly have their lost limbs, back on their bodies.

Last week I broke my toe… Now if America’s Funniest Home Video’s saw that fall, I would have won the $10,000.00 easy. Silly how easy it is to brake your toe and twist it up. For those of you who have done this it amazes me how much pain one toe can cause.

Still…considering other people who have lost both legs, it was nothing at all.

The same day I busted my toe, I had spent half of my day earlier at the Veteran’s Hospital.

I was talking to some really sick men who have served our country with honor and pride. These were men with limbs missing, air tubes under their noses, wheelchair bound and generally incapacitated.

A busted toe seems like nothing now, actually it is nothing.

Many of these ex-military guys are not happy with what is happening to the USA Military and how the country is being run for the future. I asked these 2 really nice guys I was chatting with, where they had previously served and what branch of the armed forces they were previously in.

One man was holding my hand, as he told me he was a Vietnam Vet and he was ex-Army. The other man was ex-Navy. One man was white and the other man was black. Yet the 2 of these men were brothers in arms and that counts for a lot.

I then proceeded to tell then my son in law was serving in Afghanistan currently. Both of these men asked me how my son in law was was doing and what was going on over there. The other man sitting next to the Vietnam Vet then started to talk about the current state of the military and who in their right mind could expect our guys to ask questions first, read Miranda rights then possibly die why some crazy terrorists put a bullet in our boys brains.

Both guys now had loud voices and arms moving about as they became upset about the state of the Military. They both made comments to the general effect of That “there is more crap going on over there in Afghanistan, than we are led to believe in this country.” I agreed with them. These are ex-military guys and they had seen war, they know.

I watched sad faces, men walking with disabilities, sleeping in wheelchairs drooling, and the air was filled with sadness and pain.

When was the last time our congress went into a Veteran’s Hospital and asked these guys some questions about their lives? Ask these same men and women what they think America should do with terrorists? These are the same guys who lost body parts to protect this country. They do not understand why we are allowing terrorists to threaten our Country. Please explain that to these very brave men who have given up so much for what seems so little to them now.

Some of these men have serious mental issues now. Some never recover from the death around them, in war.

The sound of bullets whizzing past their ears. They wake up in the middle of the night in cold sweats and tears. These guys take so many drugs in order, to have some kind of normal life. These are the same men who have had series of Anthrax shots. Please do not tell me, that these shots do not have any side effects either. I beg to differ.

My son in law has had about 4 to 6 Anthrax shots now. He has seen battle in Iraq and suffered an injury to the side of his head. He now suffers from back and joint pains. He has also had chest pains, when he was serving in Iraq and which I believe have developed from these Anthrax shots. He is 33 years old. He is a father and husband. Congress please tell him why he is out there putting his life on the line to read Miranda Rights to a terrorist again?

This is a picture of my son-in-laws little boy. Beautiful baby isn’t he?

I cannot show you a picture of my son in law to protect his privacy while he is serving in Afghanistan.

There was one point at the Veteran’s Hospital, where I could see and feel so much pain it made me cry.

The air was being choked with it. When was the last time our President, or any of the Liberal Congress (who in my opinion have made some very bad choices of late), served in the Armed Forces? Have they done what is best for our Military men and women?

After what I saw and heard last week from our Military Veterans, they do not seem to think so either.

The next time you want to think that everything is hunky dory with our military, take yourself off to the Veterans Hospital and look hard.

Take the time to talk to a returned Veteran. Listen to these men and women’s stories.

Take what they are telling you to heart, then tell me if it doesn’t bother you as well.

Love and Blessings

Victoria

[Via http://catchfallingstars.wordpress.com]

Even Prime-Mentalists should not behave like thugs to their stafff

michael Winning

It says in today’s Daily Mail that Gordon Brown has been told off by his most senior Civil Servant to “curb his volcanic temper”. You wonder what else is not stated and what else was told to hm. Where there’s smoke there’s fire or willl be soon.

If the election (if, not when) goes ahead and we are stuck witht his fellow, I don’t fancy five more years of this lot. Prime Ministers even lefty-fascist ones, ought to know how to behave at least to their nearest conspiratoors. We;ll be laughed at even by bemedalled African dictators in sunglasses, at least they wastes no time killing their opponemts.

[Via http://libertarianalliance.wordpress.com]