Posted by Heather D on 11/10/09 12:24 AM [Newer: Take the "Public Option Poll"] [Older: HR 1207 Action Needed!]

Over the weekend we witnessed the continued assault on our Constitution, and liberty in general, when the Democrat majority in the House rallied their troops, twisted (or nearly broke) some arms and passed "The Affordable Health Care for America Act". If you are anything like me, you sat glued to your television set, intently watching C-Span, knowing in the pit of your stomach that Speaker Pelosi would never have brought the bill to the floor if she did not have the votes to pass it.

Some in this country want to believe that the assault on our rights will be stopped simply by replacing the Democratic majority with Republicans. These well-meaning Americans do not understand that establishment Republicans of today are merely Democrat-lite. They preach limited government out of one side of their mouth, yet vote for bigger government and less freedom, seeking more power for themselves and satisfying their most generous donors, dismantling the Constitution in the same manner as the Democrats that they claim to stand in opposition to.

One shining example of this is Senator Lindsey Graham, who has launched a very public war against Ron Paul, Ron Paul Republicans, and in reality, any Republican who supports the Republican platform, rather than paying lip service to it. Senator Graham recently teamed up with Senator John Kerry in an Op-Ed proclaiming the need for cap and trade policies, despite the fact that the bill would serve no real purpose other than to transfer wealth to a few and further destroy an economy that is already imploding. After a public outcry over this, it remains unclear where Senator Graham stands on this dastardly bill, but you can be certain that the danger of this legislation becoming law is still very real.

Taking this example (which is just one of many) into account, what are liberty-loving Americans who bleed red, white and blue supposed to do?

Believe it or not, the assault on our liberties did not begin 9 years ago with George W. Bush as president. It did not begin under Bill Clinton, John Kennedy or even Woodrow Wilson. Indeed, our very first president presided over the country when the first assault occurred when he signed the "Whiskey Tax" into law. Then Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, justified the tax "more as a measure of social discipline than as a source of revenue". In other words, this was a SIN tax, meant to punish those who participated in activities that some felt were socially unacceptable. This sin-tax rightly infuriated American citizens, having just lost blood and treasure fighting to be a free people, and they revolted in what is known as "The Whiskey Rebellion".

While it is disheartening to know that it took such a short time for the trampling of our rights to begin, the "Whiskey Tax" served to put the people on notice; when Ben Franklin warned that we had "a Republic if (we could) keep it", he truly meant that as a people, we had to be ever vigilant about guarding our rights.

Much time has passed since the first attacks on our rights were launched, and the passage of time has not been a friend to liberty. The further we got from our founding, the less involved the people became, until many readily and eagerly accepted the loss of freedoms as being a necessary evil. In fact, many do not recognize what is happening today as being a loss of freedoms at all; rather, they believe that they are powerless to "do" for themselves and could not survive without the benevolent hand of government to intervene on their behalf.

The loss of liberty at the hand of a power-hungry government is not new, but the reawakening of the American public is something that has not happened to the degree that it is today in a VERY long time. The key to winning any war is to go into every battle well-armed, and make no mistake, we are truly involved in a war for the hearts and minds of our countrymen, and for the survival of our Republic. We must understand that it has taken over 200 years for us to get to the point we have arrived at today, and the damage is not going to be undone overnight. There will be battles won and battles lost, bad bills passed and the wrong people elected to office along the way. While these losses cause pain to those of us who are dedicated to bringing our country back to it's Constitutional roots, we can not let the losses demoralize or stop us.

This war has many fronts; neglecting even one of them not only makes our jobs harder, it makes winning nearly impossible. Petitioning our elected officials on legislation is one important function that we must not neglect, but that act alone will not advance the cause of freedom. We must educate ourselves and our neighbors about the Constitution and demonstrate to them how a particular bill is in violation of the law of the land, and at the same time, we must offer them solid solutions to the problems we face.

We cannot focus on federal issues and candidates to the exclusion of state and local issues and candidates. Remember, "all politics is local" and it does no good to attempt to reform a federal government run amok while ignoring the bodies closer to home that have been infected by the same disease.

We must stop "fighting City Hall" and focus on BECOMING City Hall. In many cases, changing out the "cast of characters" is our only real option, and while running for office may not be glamorous, or anything (you) may have desired to do in the past, we ignore this important "front" at our own peril. Our Founders envisioned a citizenry that would keep our elected officials honest and compliant with the Constitution by voting the bad eggs out of office, and at this point in time, there are far more bad eggs running than good ones. To ignore the need for liberty candidates at all levels of government guarantees that those seats will be filled by the same old tax-and-spend lawless breed that has infected our country and brought us to the point we find ourselves at today.

We must be more visible than our adversaries. The Tea Parties and Town Halls are a great start, but we can't stop there. We must attend City Council and County Board meetings, sit in the audience during legislative sessions, and personally visit legislator's offices often; in short, we must be a constant thorn in their sides.

Rather than constantly "chasing the ball" and trying to prevent bad bills from becoming law, we must be a part of lobbying for good bills to become law, allowing us to nullify the attempts of legislators to further erode our freedoms. At the federal level, HR 1207 is a shining example of bills we should fight for, and at the state level, we need to address states rights legislation that will nullify federal laws that overstep the dictates set on the federal government by the Constitution.

If we are to win elections and possess the ability to influence our neighbors, we have no choice but to get involved in local politics. Whether you choose to work with the Democrats, Republicans, LP, CP or some other party is entirely up to the individual, but simply showing up at the polls to vote every couple of years limits you to having a vote ONLY on issues or candidates that others have chosen FOR you.

In order to win our freedoms back, we must be committed to leading the way. Ignoring any front in this battle will greatly impair our ability to win. The passage of "health care reform" in the House was disturbing, but the war is not over yet. Recall Samuel Adams famous words, "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds."

Posted 11/09/09 3:14 PM Donnie Mayes Alexandria, KY

Very well said!!!

Posted 11/09/09 4:38 PM ArickStall Arlington, VA

An inspiring article...

Posted 11/09/09 9:09 PM rightsman Las Vegas,, NV

Heather D., All politics IS local. The recent passage of the health care bill is a prime example. It effects every man woman and child in America, and some in Mexico. The problem, as I see it, is the power games played by those involved in local politics. A Republican Candidate for the U. S. Senate to replace Harry Reid was making a presentation here in Clark County Nevada and the County Chairman called an "emergency" meeting at the same time. Thus depriving some from hearing the Candidate. When shenanigans like this are pulled, we all lose. The Chairman has someone in mind for the post that would not benefit from the Candidate from the North being able to present herself to the Republicans in the Southern part of the State, But, you're right! It is the City Councils, the County Commissions, and the State Legislatures that are going to make the difference in the coming fight. We must also repeal the 17th amendment. We basically lost the Senate for all practical purposes with the dubious ratification of that article. Thank you, Robert Walker

Posted 11/10/09 12:04 AM Matt Phillips Lombard, IL

Heck yes Heather! Well put.

Posted 11/10/09 12:18 AM BillNM Carlsbad, NM

Heather, very well said and a very good assessment. It always comes down to self interest. Very few, and maybe only Dr. Paul, of our elected officials actually put the people's interest above their personal interest. The Apostle Paul when speaking about the Mosaic Law noted nearly some two thousand years ago that the law was spiritual but became weak when mixed with the flesh. In other words, self interest among the leaders would always find a way to profit at the expense of the people. So, your suggestion to put leaders into office who really have the people's interest at heart is spot on. The struggle here is never over.

Posted 11/10/09 12:57 AM JohnF Lake Mary, FL

America became the most powerful nation in human history because she was rich in liberty and natural resources. Unfortunately, this enticed greedy, power hungry people to rape her and steal her prosperity. While this piece is true, we may be past the point where it can be accomplished. We are top heavy, aging, non-productive and ignorant. It may be that the only chance we have to make a case for liberty will be when the feds topple themselves. In the wake of panic and destruction, it will be our only hope... The Democrats are foolish and ignorant. They don't realize that the party is over and the booze is gone. They've been out of power for awhile, dreaming of taking over again and causing all sorts of havoc. They think it unfair that they've inherited only the shell of America, but it seems they got to DC a few months too late. It is a very real possibility that there won't BE another election in 2012, and that the Constitution we esteem so highly will cease being the law of the land. We should prepare for that possibility as well, I think.

Posted 11/10/09 02:27 AM roserty Orem, UT

JohnF, I believe our nation can be saved through local governments asserting their rights. At least, we won't know it can't until we've tried. We can fight the health care bill by asking our state legislatures to pass resolutions to void any federal intervention in health care. I sometimes wish more C4Ler's would run for city council or the state legislatures instead of federal positions. They would have a much better chance at making a difference there, as well as at just getting elected. Our city just had an election and there wasn't one really good candidate for the entire city council. Worse, it looks like the incumbents might have been re-elected after they spent millions for a massive deal project. We really need to start on the local level, so if the federal government does topple, we'll be ready on the ground level to step in.

Posted 11/10/09 08:20 AM redshirt Philadelphia, PA

Agreed.

Posted 11/10/09 10:14 AM sjaye Chicago, IL

There is also a possibility that a town, county, or state can be transformed into a Liberty Town or a Rebellion Town. By this I mean, C4L members take over the governing body, and refuse to collect any Federal $$, while also refusing to allow Federal taxes to be collected from the people of the town. This is a risky strategy, as Federal agents may respond violently, but also could create a domino effect that eventually undermines our illegitimate Federal Government.

Posted 11/10/09 10:17 AM gharalam Astoria, NY

Heather excellent article but I digress that we just need to show up and nag them at everywhere they go. The people DID just that in the healthcare bill and they ignored us. They laughed at us literally when the bill was passed. we need to take it one step further. To take this "peaceful" revolution to its very brink. We need to show them we mean business.

Posted 11/10/09 11:11 AM seektruth49 Annapolis, MD

I agree that it is vastly important that we focus our efforts on our local governments. I can comprehend the dynamics of my home state and open the hearts of my neigbors by making arguments that are relevent to them, but tackling the fed seems like too daunting of a task. Let the national government implode, but let us strengthen our towns so that we may be able to withstand the collapse.

Posted 11/10/09 11:13 AM B Rae C Grandview, TX

Excellent thoughts Heather and I agree with most of them. What I would like to know is this? Why are we waiting for 2010, or 2012 to come around to throw some of our elected officials out of office? Is it not our right according to the Constitution to get rid of them when they commit crimes against the people? Can we not get petitions to throw some of these politicians out of office now? Wouldn't that wake them up sooner? From what I understand is if our representatives are not doing what we want them to do, we have every right to toss them out of office. John F might be correct about no elections in 2012 with the way things are going now, so why are we waiting for the axe to fall? I think I'll look into that a bit further and see what can be done.

Posted 11/10/09 12:01 PM Heffner72 Palm Bay, FL

It would do us no good to elect a President without make sure he or she did have the backing of the congress to make the changes that need to be made. We have to purge the system from the bottom up. Electing a third party candidate only makes sense if we give a party to back them either a whole new party or hi-jack one of the exciting parties and implement our Constitutional conservatism platform. Ron and his son Rand have been are working within the Republican party to change the platform from a one that pays lip service to the Constitution to one that is starting to listen to him. I say they change their platform to fits ours or we open up all out war on them. Education is the key come 2012 there are going to be a lot of disenfranchised voters on both side Republican and Democrat if we get present our platform to them common sense will kick in and we will pervail.

Posted 11/10/09 1:25 PM lisaw Momence, IL

Thank you, Heather. Another inspired, motivating piece!

Posted 11/10/09 4:43 PM ChristinaGomez Orlando, FL

Beautiful, you my friend are in it for the long haul. No sunshine patriots here. George Washington lost every battle until he got to the one that mattered, and he WON. And here we are America.

Posted 11/10/09 5:49 PM AuthenticAuthor Canutillo, TX

I'm all for being involved in local politics, but let's be serious folks. It takes more than a willingness to speak out to stave off tyranny; you must also have a willingness to resist. Peaceful resistance preferably, but resistance nonetheless. Anyone who does not wish to do this should eventually leave the country for their own sake, because it's not going to get any better here anytime soon. If we all just quit paying taxes tomorrow, or threw out the dollar as the medium of exchange, the government as we know it would crumble. They know it. We know it. We can't beat around this bush anymore; we must be willing to practice our rights. The good news is that, in a way, this is already happening through the market. And it is the free market that we should look to for salvation.

Posted 11/10/09 11:05 PM Dwayne25 San Jose, CA

ZTiger is right. "There is nothing that precludes a Republican or Democrat ... from being a Libertarian." One thing I disagree with Heather D about is that it doesn't matter which party you run for. "Whether you choose to work with the Democrats, Republicans, LP, CP or some other party is entirely up to the individual ..." It does matter which party we run for, so long as one of those parties is either Democratic or Republican. Like it or not, the Republocrats have stacked the odds so heavily in their favor that running as a Libertarian - or any other 3rd party - is impossible. And, unless you are a billionaire, like Ross Perot, the vast majority of the voting population won't even know your name. Ron Paul has shown us the way by "infiltrating" the Republican party. The trick is, there is absolutely no reason to only run as Republicans. An example of success is the former Senator from Louisiana, John Breaux - a very libertarianesque Blue Dog Democrat. Why show loyalty to either party when neither party has ever shown loyalty to us, or the Constitution? The purpose of political parties is to win elections. Period. Everything else is bull$h!t. We need to start using the two parties as the tools that they are: a means to an end. Rather than being indiscriminate in our choice of party to work for, in my judgment we should be extremely discriminating. For example, a candidate running against Lindsey Graham for his Senate seat should not do so as another Republican to defeat LG in the primary. Rather, "our candidate" should run as a conservative Democrat. He need not even describe himself as a libertarian even as he (or she) advocates C4L's policies. The reverse would be true to run against Barbara Boxer in California. "Our candidate" should run against her as a "Ron Paul Republican." We need to efficiently attack the weakest incumbents/other opposition by using the 2 parties to *our* greatest advantage. Ron Paul has demonstrated the success of this very strategy. We should recognized that strategy for what it is to attack as many enemies of the Constitution as possible!

Posted 11/10/09 11:07 PM Dwayne25 San Jose, CA

ZTiger is right. "There is nothing that precludes a Republican or Democrat ... from being a Libertarian." One thing I disagree with Heather D about is that it doesn't matter which party you run for. "Whether you choose to work with the Democrats, Republicans, LP, CP or some other party is entirely up to the individual ..." It does matter which party we run for, so long as one of those parties is either Democratic or Republican. Like it or not, the Republocrats have stacked the odds so heavily in their favor that running as a Libertarian - or any other 3rd party - is impossible. And, unless you are a billionaire, like Ross Perot, the vast majority of the voting population won't even know your name. Ron Paul has shown us the way by "infiltrating" the Republican party. The trick is, there is absolutely no reason to only run as Republicans. An example of success is the former Senator from Louisiana, John Breaux - a very libertarianesque Blue Dog Democrat. Why show loyalty to either party when neither party has ever shown loyalty to us, or the Constitution? The purpose of political parties is to win elections. Period. Everything else is bull$h!t. We need to start using the two parties as the tools that they are: a means to an end. Rather than being indiscriminate in our choice of party to work for, in my judgment we should be extremely discriminating. For example, a candidate running against Lindsey Graham for his Senate seat should not do so as another Republican to defeat LG in the primary. Rather, "our candidate" should run as a conservative Democrat. He need not even describe himself as a libertarian even as he (or she) advocates C4L's policies. The reverse would be true to run against Barbara Boxer in California. "Our candidate" should run against her as a "Ron Paul Republican." We need to efficiently attack the weakest incumbents/other opposition by using the 2 parties to *our* greatest advantage. Ron Paul has demonstrated the success of this very strategy. We should recognized that strategy for what it is to attack as many enemies of the Constitution as possible!

Posted 11/10/09 11:08 PM Dwayne25 San Jose, CA

D'oh! Sorry! My first post - er, double-post! ;^}

Posted 11/12/09 5:19 PM Savannah Liston Pecatonica , IL

My only problem, is, Heather, that I am too young to run for any office yet, although I'd love to! :)

Posted 11/13/09 07:23 AM RobPepe Pennsburg, PA

Heather ~ Thank you for this article, it is right on the mark. WE must be involved at all levels of government. And WE must take the seats closest to us. In this recent election cycle I was (with the love and support of my wife) elected to both the school board and elected as a write-in candidate for Constable. My stint has yet to begin, but I am continuing to do exactly what gained the confidence of the people of our great community, and that is spreading the message of Liberty at every opportunity that I can. For Liberty, Rob