Guilty Until Proven Innocent

 

Banking regulations put forth by the Patriot Act, and other “safety acts” that follow have long been a huge frustration of mine.  But this week, it all came home for me.  I have been concerned that all of my money is in “one place.”  Since that time, I have been taking money in cash.  I have not gone over the $10,000 threshold that flags the IRS, but I still caused a RED FLAG to fly.

I received a letter from my bank where I have been banking for over 17 years, telling me that if I did not comply with their questioning I would have my account closed.

It’s the Minority Report.  Guilty until proven innocent?  That’s what the man on the phone with the bank told me.  I was guilty until I explained myself.  Of course, the fact that I am a U.S. Citizen and have committed NO CRIME does not matter.  They just do not like how it “looks” and so they want to know what I am doing with my money.  This seems like the law is in direct violation of my Fourth Amendment.  Granted nothing was searched or seized, but I was questioned, and it is really no ones business.  I realize I still have the freedom to leave their bank, and even have the freedom to use no bank at all, but there are conveniences to being tied to the grid, lets face it.

However, what did they think I was doing?  Starting a militia, peddling drugs, or selling something illegal like… raw milk?  Some suspicious activity I’m sure.  Well I’m not., and just because I’m a 9.12er, and have gone to Tea Party rallies, own a pocket Constitution, and have Americana home décor doesn’t make me a domestic terrorist.

This caused me to realize the thing that is missing from our society the most is, plain old living.  No one wants to allow us to just live, make mistakes, and grow.

I thought about Franklin’s famous quote, “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”

After 9.11, we gave up many liberties with the Patriot Act, and similar acts that followed.

So, here we are, living in a world where we are being protected by every expert known to man.  We have financial experts at the Federal Reserve.  We have Medical Experts that know that government health care is the only safe way to insure our country. We have Department of Education experts in Washington, D.C. that know what the people of Utah (and everywhere else) should be teaching, we have Legislators, and Congressmen who think they have risen above the masses, and are now qualified to legislate the redistribution of wealth because Americans won’t do it themselves. 

ENOUGH!  We do not need any more experts.  This country was established so that men could govern themselves.  Yes, at times we fail to be responsible in our duties, but if we have natural consequence (or Natural Law) occur, we will pick ourselves up, we will pick our neighbors up, and we will be able to rise to the occasion. This is the first principle of liberty. “The only reliable basis for sound government and just human relations is natural law.” 

Experts need to remove themselves from our lives, and let the people get back to living, growing, and becoming the men and women that our God intended us to be … loving, giving stewards of this great land.

Moreover, we should still be innocent until proven guilty.

Winning the Battle or Winning the War?

by Jacqueline Smith

Right now the war in the battlefield of ideas is raging, and yet many within the tea party groups, the 9.12 movement, and other conservative arenas are not feeling like they are winning the battle.  But are they winning the war?

The media and the government have done a great job of simply ignoring or discounting the groups and their efforts across this great nation.  Examples include how Time Magazine put not one picture of the march on Washington DC on September 12, 2009 in their “Year in Pictures.”  This is not by accident.  I was there on 9.12 and I saw the hundreds of thousands that by estimates of the crowd counters there said numbered at 1.6 million.  However, in their minds, if you are simply ignored, you will go away.

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds. -- Samuel Adams

Missouri votes to not allow the health care mandate (Obamacare) to stand in their state by an overwhelming 70+ %.The media does not report it.  Does that seem like an oversight to you?  It is not.  It’s very deliberate.

A judge ignores the voters in California by overturning Prop. 8.  Even though the people of the state have voted twice and won to keep marriage between a man a woman.

You may not feel like you are winning any battles, because the media and government continually ignore you, but you will win the war of ideas.  Truth is the key.  When you cling to the truth, you plant yourself firmly on the side of winning in the end.  Do not give up hope.  Do not stop believing in the decency of humankind.  Do not allow the media or the government to cause you to doubt the difference you have made.

  

Stick together in your neighborhood groups.  If you don’t have one, create one.  There are like-minded people all around you.  Continue to educate yourselves in the classics of great literature, and great thinkers.  We are busy people.  We do not believe that government can fix our problems, and we want to focus on our families, our businesses, and our lives.  But make no mistake, if we do not stay focused in this critical time of alignment, our families that matter so much to us, will no longer be free.  

We are in a Fourth Turning, and while there are many places to focus, do not let yourself be weary.  You do not have to do everything, but if everyone does something, we will accomplish our goals of small government, less interference into our lives, less taxes and government waste, better quality of life with our families, and true charity among humanity by individuals and not governments.  The ills of the world are defeated one family, one community at a time, not by an overreaching federal government mandating social justice.  Dig deep, and find your own personal mission, and then live it.

FREEDOM CAN WIN!

This is the obamacare that tries men’s souls…

The following is a condensed version of the message I shared at our STAR Forum of Phoenix meeting March 26th:

I’ve had a fairly emotional week.  Hearing on Sunday night that Obamacare passed in the house in spite of a complete lack of bipartisan participation and a strong vocal resistance from the people made me lose faith in the legislative process.  It further tarnished my opinion of our president and other federal leaders who seem to have forgotten or just refuse to accept that they are our representatives and our servants.  It sickens me.

As I was looking more into this I found out that the bill actually includes articles providing for the formation of Obama’s “civil army” that will be appointed by him, take their orders from him, report to him, operate on their own ranking and pay scale independent from the one established by congress for our current military.  I wonder just how devious and dark President Obama’s true designs are.

I also know that to get too caught up in the negative points will become destructive to me and my goals.  I have been critical of Glenn Beck at times because I felt that he got too angry and didn’t offer a plan of action to deal with all of the problems he was identifying.  I don’t know how correct this assessment of mine was.  Lately I have appreciated his efforts to educate people.  I also appreciate something I heard him say this week.

He explained that a lot of people were surprised that he wasn’t crying and frothing at the mouth about the Obamacare vote.  He said that the reason why is that he appreciated that those in our government who hate freedom and have a complete disregard for the constitution and for the people they were elected to serve have clearly identified themselves.  Then he reminded us of a powerful lesson from our history.

December of 1776 was a bleak time in the colonies.  General Washington and his armies had lost every battle so far in the war.  They were starving and freezing.  I believe that the states were not sending supplies, reinforcements, or the pay that the army needed.  They were disheartened.  Many soldiers were leaving and choosing to not continue on with the army.  It was a dangerous time during which we could have easily lost our ability to continue fighting for our independence.  It was at this time that Thomas Paine penned his famous words, “These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”

His words inspired the troops.  They inspired the people.  The colonies continued their fight, and eventually we were victorious over the oppressive English.

This story reminds me to never give up.  We have lost battles.  We have lost freedoms.  We have strayed too far from the government designed by our founding fathers to protect our liberties and freedom to prosper.  But the war is not yet over.

I don’t know what will happen from here.  I have an idea how it ends, but I’m not certain what route will carry us from point a to point b.  All I know is that I do not want to be counted among the summer soldiers.  I am not a sunshine patriot!  I will continue to educate myself and act on opportunities that present themselves to help others learn and act as well.  I will share the message of liberty.  I will support others who will stand with integrity for the constitution and the principles on which it was designed.

“Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered…” but it will be conquered.  Tyrants will fall, and Freedom will ring, and I choose to fight on her side so that I can stand tall and proud when that day comes!

I want to thank Jeffrey, Ed, Jason, Jim, and the wonderfully beautiful Ashlee for your attendance and participation.  I’m especially glad for the example of Ed becoming a GOP Precinct Committeeman and for Jeffrey pointing out that more of us should follow suit.  My email has been sent to our district chair to inform of my intent to become a committeeman myself.

I invite all within my “voice” to educate yourselves.  Read a book about history or government.  Get involved.  Come to a meeting or start your own.

If you live in the Phoenix area you can find our contact information on the tab above or visit www.thestarforumphoenix.wordpress.com.  We have monthly meetings scheduled for the last Friday of each month.

Finally, good job to my fellow liberty lovers in Utah for your participation in the Caucus.  I’ve heard great things about your efforts and results!

Judge Napolitano Gives Constitution Lesson

Whether you agree with healthcare reform or not, this is a good video on our Constitution limiting powers of the Federal Government.  Enjoy

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine