Liberty or Slavery? It's Time to Decide

by Tom Hudson and Scott McPherson

On March 18 the United States Supreme Court will hear arguments in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller. The US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled in March 2007 that the Second Amendment guarantees and protects an individual rather than a “collective” right to bear arms. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty petitioned for an appeal. The Supreme Court will settle the matter.

The freedom or slavery of future generations of Americans depends on their decision.

The drafters of The Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and the Constitution all knew that without the right to keep and bear arms government would eventually take all rights away from the people. It has been over 200 years since these documents were written. Today such ideas are no longer taught to our children, and the people sit idly by as their liberty is stripped away.

The Founding Fathers would be ashamed of what we have let this country become. In just the last few years our Fourth Amendment protections have been attacked by the Patriot Act. Habeas Corpus has been seriously undermined by the Military Commissions Act. The National ID Card intrudes on the rightful powers of the States, and threatens the citizen's freedom of movement within our nation's borders. Finally, the Federal Government has stated clearly that citizens do not have the right to have their petition for redress of grievances answered (see We the People Foundation v. United States).

All of these laws have been passed openly and in the name of security. Remember what Benjamin Franklin said: “They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.” Rest assured that if we allow our government to continue on its present course, sooner rather than later we will have neither.

If ever there was a time to stand up and demand that our government respect the rights of citizens, it is now. We strongly encourage every man or woman who cherishes their freedom to take action, and send a clear message to the Federal Government that We the People are willing and able to take our government from the clutches of any who would reign over us.

As Thomas Jefferson wrote in a letter to William S. Smith in 1787,

And what country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms...The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is it's natural manure.

The following actions are strongly encouraged:

1. Contact your state representatives, state senators and governor, and tell them that our freedom is not negotiable. If necessary, they should do their duty and interpose themselves between the citizen and the Federal Government.
2. Contact your US Congressmen, US Senators and the President, and tell them that our freedom is not theirs for the taking. We will not become slaves.
3. Write letters to the editor of your local newspaper(s) and contact other media outlets, declaring your intention to stand firm in defense of your rights – and encourage others to do the same.
4. Join a pro-liberty organization (Gun Owners of America, Free State Project, Fully Informed Jury Association, etc.)
5. Get involved with a pro-liberty candidate for public office this year, or consider running yourself. Run for any office – from school board on up.
6. On March 18, the day arguments begin in the Heller case, purchase at least one firearm and ammunition.
   

   “[T]he unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people.” --Tench Coxe, 1788

7. Spread this message far and wide.

Tom Hudson lives in Gonic, New Hampshire.
Scott McPherson lives in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.!-- @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } -->