A recent comment on the blog reads, “The founding fathers considered government to be a threatening force, possibly an institution difficult to shed, and one that could stand in the way of personal freedom.”
Which is probably why there are so many quotes out there from the “founding fathers” themselves regarding this very issue. Here are just a few:
The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.
Thomas Jefferson, May 27, 1788
Isn’t that the truth! It is the natural way of things. Government and Power grow together, further encroaching on freedom and liberty. Restricting that growth is the hard part. And it’s nearly impossible to reduce its bloat once it has achieved enormity.
I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.
James Madison, June 16, 1788
Wow. These guys really knew their stuff! James Madison hit the nail squarely on the head with that one. It’s the slow creep. Death by a thousand cuts. It has been happening for quite some time. The nation is bleeding out.
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
Thomas Paine, September 12, 1777
Thomas Paine is right on. Your liberties do not exist without constant upkeep. It is the natural way of governments to restrict liberties over time for one reason or another. It is up to us to push back against those who may take it away. Otherwise, it WILL be taken away.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
Thomas Jefferson, November 13, 1787
Throughout history, tyranny takes hold. And the only way to get liberty back is to fight it. It’s an uncomfortable truth. These men did it back then.
The Takeaway
The four quotes above sums it up. And that is this:
We the people have the obligation to uphold our liberty. To keep our government in check, so to speak. It is our duty to support liberty if we wish to keep it. When we do nothing, we lose it. A piece at a time.
It’s not something that’s simply there for us, all by itself. I mean, it is, it is a natural inalienable right, but it is gradually usurped by government itself.
We are a free people, but only to an extent. We surely are free’er than most other nations on the planet. But we absolutely and certainly are not as free as we were back during our earlier days as a nation. Maybe we should take that as a lesson from history.
While the gargantuan and immensely obese government that we have today is beyond rehabilitation to it’s younger youth and health, we must recognize the ongoing responsibility to uphold our freedom and liberty.
Sure, there may be nearly a thousand cuts already. But keep your eyes open for the knife going after the next one. And get involved to the extent that you can. Thomas Paine said it well. Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
No one said it’s going to be easy…
Well-said….I often wonder how our Founders would feel if they were around today. Would they be angry or ashamed? Both, I would imagine. Angry at our squandering of their sacrifice and ashamed that they did so only to see it eroded by our apathy and decadence.
Present company excluded, I hope.
Many things have led to where we are in losing our freedoms. Apathy on the part of the masses for one. Bad rulings by the courts, especially the Supreme Court, is a major one. The founding fathers, when setting up the new “limited government” did so with the mind that government be local, not controlled by an over-bearing central government regulating every aspect of a diverse people’s lives. Local folks know better the wants and needs of their neighbors much better than unknown people far away. Things like the Interstate Commerce act and the ability to levy taxes were perverted to bring power to the federal government and up held by the “supremes”. Federal drug laws? No such thing. No, you’re required to posses a tax stamp showing you paid your federal taxes on those drugs. The government then refuses to issue a tax stamp, therefore, anyone possessing certain taxable drugs are in violation of the tax code. Manufacture guns? If you plan on selling them outside the state you built them in, you must follow the rules of the federal government or be in violation of the Interstate Commerce Act. Full auto weapons are not illegal (unless designated so… Read more »
Dennis,
Supreme court, county court, same smell as political appointee and government et al,,,
It is all government,
Presently, we have a wasteful, bloated government that is becoming less and less representive and more abusive.
Im sorry some folks are offended when guys like me grumble about government, but thats TS!
It is out of control and has turned into a monster. Period.
The founders lost everything to start this country and gain our freedom,
Its too bad the people today dont want to forego their little insignificant pensions and benefits and will suck up to the bureaucracy and support it in spite of what it is doing,
Several other sayings
Not sure on exact wording but yall will get the jist,
He who sacrifices liberty for safety deserves neither.
People get the government they deserve.
People best consider these sayings, it will matter
Not direted at you specificly Dennis, but your post was an excellent start.
Kulafarmer, you’re dead on. The older I get the less and less I seem to identify with either political party. At the end of the day none of them truly care about the working middle class or our freedoms. They’ll peddle any message that they can in order to scrap together the votes that they need in order to remain in/gain office so that they can continue to stuff their pockets.
Glad you brought this point up. Us in CA. have been fighting this for years now and we are not alone. Northern CA. wants to split the state from southern Ca. (the state of Jefferson),southern OR. wants to separate from northern OR. (also the state of Jefferson), and eastern WA. wants to separate from western WA,(the state of Liberty). I am also to the understand that Northern NY. state wants to separate from southern NY. To me this shows that the people of these states with large cities have no representation.
NE Colorado wants to separate from the rest of the state — and possibly join a few southern Wyoming counties. Voters in several Colorado counties approved the new state of Northern Colorado.
Residents of Illinois want Chicago to split off and form a new state.
“All it takes for Evil to triumph is for Good Men to do nothing”. As a former member of the Clergy I grieve over the moral decay in America. This decay has led in many respects to our Government ‘s growth like a cancer upon Society.
So where are the ” Good Men” who will stop this cancer on our God given Rights?
Just read an article and watched a campaign launch video over on Daily Wire. A young articulate Republican woman of Hispanic heritage is running for Congress in Illinois, hoping to unseat one of the uber-progressives. Her campaign slogan Our Future Our Fight gives me hope.
I honestly believe there is not a single function, or activity we as “free” people can do without breaking some law somewhere. Here is an example: The US Tax Code, aka Income Tax Statutes and Regulations/Laws. [National Taxpayer Advocate did a Microsoft Word word count of the tax statutes and IRS regulations in 2012, and came up with roughly 4 million words. Again at roughly 450 words per page, that comes out to around 9,000 pages.] Now think on that for a second, 4 million words to tell us we owe the gov money, and exactly how they WILL take it from you. Another example you ask??? [As of January 2009, the Federal Government, excluding the Postal Service and soldiers, employed about 2 million civilian workers. The Federal Government is the nation’s single largest employer.] AND [There were 497,157 career employees in 2018. The number of non-career employees was 137,290] PLUS [According to Wikipedia, there are 1,477,896 active and 1,458,500 reserve personal in the US Armed Forces] So let’s do a quick total……. About 5.5 million people work for the US Government that does not include a lot of civil agencies and private companies. One more just cause; [The federal… Read more »
Yea, NRP
But even here on this site you will hear people say the government is necessary and we all did a necessary job,,,,
Sorry, ya gubermint employees past and present are biased and would never think of going against your meal ticket, even if it means your whole family are slaves,,,,,,
Whatever
Your gonna have to show me where the government employee hurt you on the doll one day man
Matt in Oklahoma;
You what to start a fire under Kulafarmer???
Ask him why he stopped farming his land…..
Matt,,
At thos point it diesnt even matter honestly,
My direction is set, i could care less what happens, i will adapt. When you are used to just makin shit up as you go to get by and pay the bills it tends to make one less concerned with the future and concentrate more on the here and now today. Thats where im at,
Here, now, today,
What needs to get taken care of, what do i feel like taking care of, and finally what will actually get taken care of.
Very little within my control, so i will just get as far away from the BS as i can.
Its nothing personal bud, im sure you are good people, doesnt mean i need to be on board with the direction.
I want nothing to do with any of it, nothing out of it, nothing into it. So leave me be.
“So leave me be.” I’ve always have been fascinated with how people who state that they want to be left alone feel as if they have to broadcast it, continuously, to the point of me wanting to scream “so shut up then!”. Nothing personal, perhaps, but who cares if you don’t care? And why would you think that anyone would? And why do you feel as if you have to go on and on about it? But then again, I don’t care.
Ok fine
Cheerio boner
Well said.
Chevy;
I am curious as to why to thought it necessary to make your comment?
If someone wants to Pledge the Allegiance to the Flag 50 times a day, what difference does it make, if you don’t want to hear/read it, then don’t read it.
Same with someone stating they don’t give a rats-ass OR “So leave me be.” about something
Tis it not that person’s right of Freedom of Speech, and you don’t listen/read it, or is it your right to not have them write/speak it?
As I said, just curious.
NRP: I sounded quite cranky in that comment, but I ask the question out of curiosity. I simply am curious why it is that some people who do not vote, gave up on government, and so forth, feel it necessary to keep repeating that over and over again. It isn’t just Kula, I’ve seen this numerous times elsewhere. It’s called “non-participation pride” and I’ve never been able to get anyone to verbalize what is behind it. (I’m not aware of “voter pride” where people continuously brag that they vote.) I did read one study that made sense; that those who broadcast loudly and frequently that they do not vote are morally offended by what goes on in government. This could be a moral objection to the wars they get us involved in, to immoral judicial judgments, to immoral laws, corruption and immoral behavior of elected representatives. I find that attitude extremely offensive as it reeks of a “holier than thou” attitude of self-appointed superiority. So yeah they can go on about that on-and-on (which I assume Kula will do and I have no problem with Kula, I enjoy his comments), which in itself doesn’t bother me, what aggravates me is… Read more »
Chevy, Its not morally offending, What it is boils down to utter disgust with what the system has become, it sucks away more money from hard working people and does nothing for them, it has become a circus of the absurd at all levels, i and many millions of others have no interest in this crap, the corruption, the partisan bullshit, the special intrest, the media, The fact that someone like me, who had always thought of myself as a patriot, is now on a list as a potential domestic terrorist because i am white, straight, male, identify as Christianish, and dare to speak out about the bullshit that has become government, is beyond an insult. I dont give a rip what other people think, This is what I think. Ya know why i feel that way, Because it is painfully obvious that most people dont give a rats arse what other people think. Including and not limited to any and all federal, state or county workers,,, Every last one of them thinks they are oh so necessary and oh so important,,, Well screw them. We shall see just how important they are when their pension is gone and the… Read more »
Matthew, Matthew, Matthew…., our last conversation I remember you stating to Kula that “with out us you would not have what you have”. I agree with you on this, with out the government we have we would not have the problems that tax us to no ends. War on drugs? Illegal Immigration? Gangs? Obamacare? Every day we (non government workers) are hurt by government over reach. Do you have property that you have worked for 30+ yrs to have to be taxed to no end? And what for? Government pensions that the productive tax payers have to sweat for? You may be a off the side government employee, a good guy, but I still see the ” us against them in” in you . Why don’t you tell me what you are doing good for us instead of asking what government employee hurt us? I will tell you the private producing sector hurts every day because of the non producing government at all levels. What have you produced today that you can charge a customer? What service have you done that you can show that was productive? Drugs are worse , crime is worse, illegal immigration is worse, education shot.… Read more »
Chevy, like a porcupine, Kula is showing his quills to show he is not to be bothered, leave him alone and you won’t get hurt!
You don’t need the military? Uh-huh cool story the man TXDAN. Nope we ain’t producers we are consumers though. I know cause I’m the purchaser for my section and have been in many of the organizations I’ve been in both private and governmental. It’s not that I haven’t. I worked private sector too before, in between and will be going back soon though not in production. I’ve farmed and ranched. Even done volunteer work like reserve police officer while I was stationed CONUS in the Army. Nah I ain’t a good guy. Pretty obvious since I don’t just let folks say what they want. Kulafarmer He is a good guy. He’s got a lot of good input. I agree with much of what he says even though he didn’t seem to think many do like on his mini 14 post. 2/3rds of MY pension is just that mine. Probably the same with yours. Part from a 401k and part SS is pretty standard out there. Mines a threefold ordeal that’s got different names. The other third yes is the taxpayer of which I’m included. Yup I’m still The People. Be mad at me for accepting the job all day cause… Read more »
Kulafarmer; I am probably one of those “People”, I do believe we need a “government” BUTTTTT (and that a hell of a HUGE BUTT there), we need a controlled gov, one that works for the people, NOT the people working to support a gov. What is it about history that these stupid people do not understand? Socialism and Communism do NOT work. “OHHHHHHH but they did not do it right” they will say and brainwash millions into believing they have the “correct” way to take my earnings and lively hood and give them to others that are lazy and worthless. How will it start? Remember the day they “gov” passes the Rad Flag Laws, take the ability to fight back, and you take the Country. Even the Founders knew the need of some gov. hence the Constitution and the rest. Rules to form a Country by, Laws, if you will, to form a place where ‘We The People’ can live without the threat of gov, but to work with and have the gov actually listen to the people, not dictate every aspect of their lives as we see now. What the heck happened? We The People lost sight of Freedom,… Read more »
NRP
Oh there definitely needs to be government, i just am not on board with what it has become, so i remove MY concent to be governed, leave me alone thanks.
When my representatives actually represent ME, let me know. When the gov actually benefits ME! Again, let me know,,,
Till then asta la byebye
I have a good friend who believes that Iceland, Denmark, and some other European countries have wonderful socialist medical and benefits. I just quit responding cause I just couldn’t convince her otherwise. Her mother was from Iceland and she thinks it works fine, I just shake my head. Other than this, I like her! Lol
Excellent Post NRP.
By the time the founders wrote those quotes, well 3 of the 4, the size of the government had more than doubled at the will of The People.
The flaw started immediately. Yup I said it, it’s flawed.
Matthew, I do not consider the Military as government employees. I do see bloated local, state and federal governments excesses, duplicated many time’s over. When talking to them it amazes me that most deny that they are paid by the private sector tax payers and at the same time have a disgust for the private sector. Even when I take the time(most of the time wasted)to explain where their money comes from they still refuse to accept the fact that they work for the private sector. Certainly not mad at you for going after a better opportunity, many do not. What does concern me is the “If it were not for me you would not have what you have” attitude that so many government employees have, maybe you just misspoke, don’t know. As the government bloats and bloats the only place to get more money is from anyone that owns property of any kind or the shrinking work force. If I pissed you off, well like you I do not let people get by without calling them on it anymore. All a person has to do is show me where I’m wrong on my thinking and I will backup like… Read more »
Everytime we scream for the government to do something; solve the homeless problem, stop gun violence, stop illegal economic migration, raise our wages, put food on our tables, … we empower government even more.
I can’t believe that, as we give away our individual freedoms to government bureaucrats, I feel we are living in that movie “V”. The growth of the monster called government is now unstoppable. Welcome to Venezuela.
Example of the monster we face
Look at the resistance to moving “Department of Land Management” out of DC to areas that they are supposed to be managing.
Look at the resistance to closing some of the military bases on other countries.
Look at the resistance to simplifying the tax code.
etc etc etc
Government should be small and underfunded, then they would have seek approval from the people for any spending.
A recap of previous comments: lots of laws, lots of government.
Here’s the deal: Administrative government (federal agencies) were created as a way to subvert constitutional law. Regulations that carry the power of law have been created by this surrogate government that nullifies the original intent of limited government.
To get back to “small” government (a meaningless term, I prefer “constitutional government”) we simply declare all federal agencies and the regulations they have enacted null and void.
When you take that oath it’s kinda understood you’ll cast your vote for the greater good
It’s not about hidden agendas or your crooked schemes. Be true to the people living the American dream
Politics make me sick always blaming the other side. Right or left it doesn’t matter which we’re all sick and tired
Silenced voices need to be heard and today is the day
So ask not how much your country can give you. You got life, liberty and happiness to pursue
Be proud to sweat and work for everything you have in life,earn this way of freedom and your inalienable rights
From the song American Man by Austin Walhert
Im cool with earning my way,
I refuse to have my pocket pucked by a bureaucracy that benefits everybody but my little circle.
People will say, thats just how it is,,,,
Bullshit
I think if we could divide the U S into about 15 states total and let each state make its choices from total government to everyone for themselves and you pick the state that fits your believes the most then maybe we would have a chance
But the Divided States of America doesn’t have a chance I’m afraid
I just saw an article on Drudge and big tech is planning on issuing social scores.
I read it too. Have been monitoring the Google efforts to help China establish their own social score monitoring system. It is insane that we are allowing this. Really.
They figure that no one in government here has stopped them so far, despite all that they have been doing to silence us on their platforms, so, they will keep taking it further until such time that they are stopped. Question is, will the ever be? (stopped?)
Good,,,
When they do i will toss my phone, cut my cable and place a jammer on my barn that blocks or scrambles any electronic communications of any sort.
The fact that government is working with big tech is total BS and proof positive that we the people are just piggybanks to them. Big tech is playing all sides snd at some pount somebody will get sold out, my bet is its us,
Oh right,
We already have been
Although I have no faith in the media, I heard something today that I think ties into this topic. The wall st journal just did a survey about personal values, and compared answers to the same questions asked 21 years ago. I looked it up online to check the numbers. In 1998, 70% of Americans said patriotism was a very important value, 62% said their faith/religion was a very important value to them, and 58% said having kids was very important. Today those numbers are 61% for patriotism, 48% for their faith/religion and 43 for children. Hard work was one of the few very important values that did not plummet. The decreases are driven by people aged 18-38, just 42% saying patriotism is very important, and only 30% said their religion/faith and children are important. The number for people over 55 are 79% patriotism and 75% for faith. Didn’t see the kids numbers, probably due to age. Even if there are inaccuracies, the numbers are very telling. I was raised with faith, family and love of/appreciation for country as key values. If the majority of people in their late teens to late 30’s don’t hold those values dear, how can… Read more »
SoCalGal — I read that article and studied the graphic closely. Like you, I was born in the wrong time, I came a century too late.
Thanks for you response MT, nice to know I am not alone in this feeling 👍
So Cal Gal
You must be my sister
I feel the same way, wrong century, was supposed to be 1863 not 1963
That’s why I like Maui so much – century late twins, separated at birth and an now ocean apart!!! Hahaha!
Hey,,,
Im adopted so who knows,
Maybe i was your evil twin that mom said she just had to get rid of dont tell nobody
I completely agree. I was also born too late!
I believe Americans should study the original intent and philosophies of our Founding fathers (and of others, such as John Locke). Through their eyes and wisdom, we can glean a better understanding of what America was MEANT to be. Unfortunately, the origin and development of American government is not studied in public school. Nor are discourse and debate, or philosophy. For generations, our public school system has intentionally omitted these subject areas from education because doing so can create the dumbed-down masses, unable to understand the depth and breadth of our government, the corruption within our government, and our society, in general. John Locke, an Englishman who lived in the 1600s, believed in the natural rights of life, liberty, and property. Much of his philosophy was studied and adapted into our own Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Locke believed in the ‘social contract’ between man and government. Locke also believed in separate government powers (legislative, executive, and federal powers). Locke explicitly believed that it was the State’s responsibility to ensure these natural rights, too! Locke’s influence in our Founding documents can’t be mistaken. James Madison studied John Locke’s writings and utilized his philosophies during the formation of our Founding documents.… Read more »
Lived in a large shared house long ago and not so far away. One of the roomies was a pure snowflake. Think I’ve mentioned her here before. She only took temp jobs where they’d pay her under the table because she didn’t want to pay taxes to support the nuclear arms race. She was going on and on about this once and I commented that funnily enough, I was glad of the opportunity to pay taxes to help provide healthcare for impoverished elderly, support national parks, and keep the interstate highways repaired. That shut her up. Given that her father’s military retirement pay made it possible for her to have a degree from SMU and to be in graduate school, I found her protests a little hypocritical. I agree with NRP. Can see why folks want to abolish the electoral college; they’ve lost sight of the fact that we’re a nation of federated states. So many people keep voting in politicians who promise federal funds to address local issues. That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. Also find no fault in Kulafarmer, oldhomesteader, or anyone else who farms for themselves, and chooses not to be a producer. Am doing… Read more »
If term limits would assist in impeding a tyranny, then why, pray tell me, were they not provided for in the Constitution?
CR,
At the time, serving as a congressman or senator was a sacrifice, not a career. Never intended as otherwise. Those that served depended on their civilian occupations for their living. Business was taken care of as soon as possible so folks could return to keep their farms, shops, etc. going.
That is how it should be Dennis,
No lifelong benefits and a pension for as little as one term in office,,
Polititians have become a buncha freeloaders
Dennis, 👍absolutely correct sir.
Albeit, knowing history, and human nature like they did, it, to me anyway, still defies logic as to why they were not included.
Because people are not omniscient and this is why the Constitution may be amended, via the methods it includes.
Get your history on at wallbuilders.com w/ David Barton!
An excellent website, and David Barton is exceptionally intelligent and intuitive. Barton is one of America’s BEST educators!
The Founders Bible is a must-read — available at Amazon or from the website.
Thomas Paine said it well. Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.
I’d be real careful taking on the Feds. They “HATE” us Patriots. Just look what happened to Lavoy.!!! The Bundys, The Hammonds, Ruby Ridge, Waco, ect.
IRS audits, No fly list, Red list, constant harassment, phone taps, internet surveillance, passing info to your local LEO for harassment, searching bank transactions, States keeping record of Patriots, (don’t get stopped in Oregon), pulled in to FBI office for “BULLSHIT” interview.
I never thought in my wildest dreams my Gov’t would consider me their enemy, but they do.!!!
It’s coming straight as us. There will come a time, A time to chose LIBERTY OR DEATH.
Stand My Ground wrote: “It’s coming straight as us. There will come a time, A time to chose LIBERTY OR DEATH.”
Big Tech and their “social score” surveillance-based profiling?
Modern Throwback
This morning on Fox-America’s News room the host and guest were discussing how the G was “figuring” out a way to drop cookies from tracking your searches.
They(G) were looking at what be your social ‘credit’ score would be instead of cookies. Social credit score sounds like what they use for giving a person loans. The more debit one has the better the your “Social score” will be. Which sounds similar to the form of what is being used in China(social in debit s l a v e r y one would owe their soul to the company).
Great article. I agree with what some others have said a government on some level is necessary to keep law and order and stopping things from getting out of control. Unfortunately at this point in time our government is ran by lobbyists and people in the upper one percent that don’t give squat about the working middle class and as Ken eluded to are slowly sucking the freedom out of this country. The majority of them care just enough about all of us as to spout the lies they think we all want to hear in order to gain support and votes. I think Trump making his way into office was just the first baby step of people waking up to realize we need less “professional politicians” running things in this country.
EVERYONE that reads this knows FREEDOM IS NOT FREE IT CARRIES A VERY HEAVY BIG PRICE we are fast approaching SOMETHING what none of us know what i may not have taken the oath the military did but I WILL STAND WITH THOSE THAT DID ANYWAY
“For those who have fought for it.”
“Life has a meaning”
“For those who have not, they will never understand”
acdh
I little passage from my Brother that happens to live in Crimaforina, I don’t know who the original author is/was, but worth a quick read. When Communists took away the guns in China and the Soviet Union, tens of millions of citizens of those countries were murdered by their governments. After the Nazi’s took away the guns of their citizens, they then murdered tens of millions. The Japanese did not invade the mainland of the United States because they said that so many individuals had guns that it would have been a catastrophe for them to do so. What is the primary reason we have the Second Amendment? To protect us from the government, especially one that suggests that the government should control us otherwise. “The ends justify the means,” Communist mantra, was the license used to kill those with whom they didn’t agree. Human nature generally follows patterns that have been seen in the past. And so, it would very likely be if Americans would be forced to give up their guns. Communists, Socialists, and other extreme idealists believe themselves to have such a corner on the moral high ground that they feel compelled to disallow thoughts that they… Read more »
NRP, I have six out of seven brothers that I have preached what you have just stated, unfortunately they have become the product of their environment, country boys turn liberal for what I believe for social acceptance. Moved to the city for easy better paying jobs. They were taught the Constitution and history in school but do not retain any of it. Mighty sad showing.