Flame — HabitableZone

Flame » in reply to re: liberty

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Robert — (archived)

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The term "vigilance" does not denote paranoia, nor is it a synonym for political propaganda. Vigilance is the duty of every citizen in a democracy.

You don't wait to become vigilant until trouble arrives, because by then it's too late. You remain vigilant at all times so that trouble does not sneak up on you.

Still with me?

The time to be on heightened vigilance is when the government is claiming extraordinary powers that, it says, take precedence over the Constitution. This is by definition, at any time under any Party's governance, a time of danger for the Republic.

Just one more minor point and then we're done.

We have a Consitution for a reason. The Founders didn't just sit around Philadelphia wenching and drinking all day (they reserved that, quite properly, for the night time). They had a purpose in writing a Constitution, and every word of it expresses a skepticism of concentration of power and a firm resolve to keep what power can't lie with the people on a short leash.

Conclusion (a sort of connect-the-dots and summarize exercize): A citizen of a democracy who is vigilant and keeps a skeptical eye on government is discharging a solemn duty. A citizen who resists whenever the government tries to expand its powers beyond those granted it by the Constitution, and to make illegal use of those powers it prohibits, is doing a solemn duty.

I have nothing to justify to you.

Let me ask you a question, Tom: Are you sure you're not an authoritarian conservatives? 'Cause you sure as hell hold to the worldview of an authoritarian conservative.

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