This is a thread specifically in response to those who hold the belief that tyranny in the United States is impossible because we have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights. That kind of a statement is breathtaking in its ignorance and demonstrates a serious misunderstanding of what tyranny is, where it comes from, and the history of the United States.
It's helpful to first understand where the Constitution comes from- and to keep in mind that the very existence of the Constitution was in response to tyranny and government powers that went beyond what was granted to that government. To start, we look at the Charter of Liberties, which was Henry I's response to growing discontent as he took the throne. To stem the tide of tyranny, the Charter of Liberties included (among other things):
The reason this is important is because it was established in response to tyranny, and it would set the groundwork for the Magna Carta. The reason the Magna Carta is important is because it established that the King is subject to the rule of law. This was supposed to end tyranny as well. When colonists came to the Americas, they brought these charters with them and established Charters of the States, recognizing that the Magna Carta was the law of the land- and that eventually followed to the US Constitution and Bill of Rights after the US established its independence and regained its rights. Again, this was in response to tyranny- not simply a desire to be a separate entity. Our own history tells us that no Charter or Constitution or Declaration protects a people from tyranny. It establishes the proper role of government and restricts the actions of government against its people, but it cannot prevent that which seems to be inevitable: power corrupts.
As Jefferson put it:
Perhaps it's helpful if we define tyranny since that seems to be such a loaded term anyway. I would be willing to bet more than a few readers are uncomfortable with the word, and my usage of it has already endowed me with a few labels from those people. I would challenge those who have that reaction to consider why it is that a word can cause them to react that way- what is it in their programming that does that...
Anyway, we can define tyranny as any form of government which does not respect the rights of individuals. Is the US government tyrannical? Is Obama a tyrant? In some small way, perhaps- but it is certainly true that we have a long way to go before any rational person could consider the US government tyrannical. It's not impossible, however, as others have tried to argue.
Again, Jefferson helps us out, here:
In what ways have our liberties been obstructed?
Consider the following incomplete, but sufficient list:
While most would argue that some items on that list are good things or at least well intentioned, they are nonetheless examples of our liberties being obstructed. That is the path that tyranny takes, and that is why it is not impossible for the United States to fall to tyranny.
It's helpful to first understand where the Constitution comes from- and to keep in mind that the very existence of the Constitution was in response to tyranny and government powers that went beyond what was granted to that government. To start, we look at the Charter of Liberties, which was Henry I's response to growing discontent as he took the throne. To stem the tide of tyranny, the Charter of Liberties included (among other things):
- A right to property
- A right to inheritance
- The right to remarry
- The right to give away property
- Due process of sorts, for wealthy property owners
The reason this is important is because it was established in response to tyranny, and it would set the groundwork for the Magna Carta. The reason the Magna Carta is important is because it established that the King is subject to the rule of law. This was supposed to end tyranny as well. When colonists came to the Americas, they brought these charters with them and established Charters of the States, recognizing that the Magna Carta was the law of the land- and that eventually followed to the US Constitution and Bill of Rights after the US established its independence and regained its rights. Again, this was in response to tyranny- not simply a desire to be a separate entity. Our own history tells us that no Charter or Constitution or Declaration protects a people from tyranny. It establishes the proper role of government and restricts the actions of government against its people, but it cannot prevent that which seems to be inevitable: power corrupts.
As Jefferson put it:
Quote:
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. |
Perhaps it's helpful if we define tyranny since that seems to be such a loaded term anyway. I would be willing to bet more than a few readers are uncomfortable with the word, and my usage of it has already endowed me with a few labels from those people. I would challenge those who have that reaction to consider why it is that a word can cause them to react that way- what is it in their programming that does that...
Anyway, we can define tyranny as any form of government which does not respect the rights of individuals. Is the US government tyrannical? Is Obama a tyrant? In some small way, perhaps- but it is certainly true that we have a long way to go before any rational person could consider the US government tyrannical. It's not impossible, however, as others have tried to argue.
Again, Jefferson helps us out, here:
Quote:
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. |
In what ways have our liberties been obstructed?
Consider the following incomplete, but sufficient list:
- National Security Letters
- Snowden revelations, particularly on Parallel Construction
- PATRIOT Act
- Social Security
- Eminent Domain
- Healthcare and Obamacare
- IRS and Income Tax
- The Fed and centralized banking
- Assassination of US Citizens
- Warrantless searches
- Militarization of the police
- The process of opening a business
- The process of purchasing/owning a gun
While most would argue that some items on that list are good things or at least well intentioned, they are nonetheless examples of our liberties being obstructed. That is the path that tyranny takes, and that is why it is not impossible for the United States to fall to tyranny.
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