Posted on 06/24/2005 6:03:01 AM PDT by Tatze
Dear Senator,
I am writing to you today to express my opinion on two different subjects, but both with very serious implications on freedom and liberty in the United States. Our place on the Indexes of Economic and Political Freedom has been slipping recently, and I unfortunately see no turnaround in the trend since Republicans gained control of the Congress and the White House. It began long before Congress passed, and the Supreme Court upheld, McCain-Feingold restricting political free speech in clear violation of the First Amendment right to (political) free speech, but that is just another recent example. It continued with other recent Supreme Court decisions based on international law and public opinion.
The main point of my email today was going to be about displeasure with, and hopes for the defeat of the Flag Burning Amendment. I am very dismayed that I have to agree with some Democrats and the ACLU on this, but burning the flag, as abhorrent as I find it is political speech deserving the protection of the First Amendment. This proposed Amendment trashes the very concept of freedom, liberty, and free speech that the flag represents. How does the old saying go, I may disagree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Well, hundreds of thousands have died protecting this country and the freedom on which it was founded. This Amendment is an affront to each and every one of them. It is my opinion that this proposed Amendment should be defeated in the US Senate.
And now, the far more disturbing topic of this email, todays Supreme Court decision allowing Government to seize property from one private owner to give to another private owner. Eminent domain has always been a hot topic for me, as I hear more and more stories of local government abuses. But this is an abuse of the worst kind, because it was perpetrated by the Supreme Court, which is supposed to protect our constitutional rights. This one ruling has practically destroyed the concept of private property rights in the United States. No property is safe, as long as some willing government thinks they can get just a little more tax money from another owner.
There has been quite a few stories in the news recently predicting that the housing bubble is about to burst. If private owners can have no faith that their property is safe from tax hungry politicians, the incentive to invest in real estate will be severely diminished, if not destroyed. Any supposed burst in the housing bubble will look like a walk in the park if this is allowed to stand.
What can Congress do to reverse this ruling? Is Congress willing to do anything, or do you approve of the recent actions of the Supreme Court? Perhaps Congress should propose more Constitutional Amendments that actually protect personal rights and individual freedoms, rather than proposing Amendments that further restrict freedom and liberty.
I have been a strong supporter of the Republican Party, nationally and in Georgia. Through my positions in the Young Republican organization, I have worked to advance many Republican campaigns, including yours. But I am realizing more and more that the campaign promises dont survive swearing-in, and the party platform isnt worth the paper it is written on. With very few exceptions, the Republican record over the last few years has been abysmal. Huge increases in (non-defense) spending, a new prescription drug entitlement and bureaucracy, and failure to secure our borders, just to name a few. I hope it wont become necessary to find another political home, but that is looking more likely every day.
IMHO, I don't think you do because you work so hard to justify it. If you found flag burning truly abhorrent, disgusting and extremely disrespectful you would be for the amendment and for our troops. For the flag and country is what our troops fight for.
All this flack against the flag sounds like just more of the PSI-Op against America.
I called my Senators yesterday, said I don't know who the 5 are, don't care...... impeach them now. Everyone swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, so DO IT!
I called the supreme court yesterday.
They don't have a comment line, Imagine that!
You have to WRITE them if you are displeased.
Come on freepers, lets write!
US Supreme Court
1 First St. NE
Wash. DC , 20543
I'm planning on using a postcard so everyone between here and there can read it.
How old are we, nine?
Time to go to recess little one.
I always say, want to burn the flag, wrap yourself in it first.
Stll I'm against the ammendment. I'm for stryofoam flags then can't burn.
I'll be writing letters this weekend!
I'm so upset.
I guess we are in the same area. I am over in Cherokee county.
Another good letter. Hopefully, these letters are making it past the staff of the congress.
My father died from exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. If someone wants to burn a flag it is their RIGHT to do. But thanks for understand Free Speech. Please drop your statism.
Please drop your PSI-OP against the US.
Excuse me, I have nothing against the US. I have something people who are against free speech. My father died for these freedom and he would agree with me.
I embrace my country, and the flag representing it, but I hold the Constitution more respectfully, and cherish my citizenship most. It should surprise no one that I recognize my citizenship with the highest regard. Unfortunately, this is not true of many people, and most are our government leaders.
Few people are aware there is another amendment that has been awaiting ratification by the states for about two hundred years and it goes well beyond acts of protest. It addresses concerns over acts of allegiance to foreign powers. Here is the text of the amendment:
"If any citizen of the United States shall accept, claim, receive or retain any title of nobility or honour, or shall, without the consent of Congress, accept and retain any present, pension, office or emolument of any kind whatever, from any emperor, king, prince or foreign power, such person shall cease to be a citizen of the United States, and shall be incapable of holding any office of trust or profit under them, or either of them." (Proposed in the 2d session of the Eleventh Congress, passed by both houses of Congress, and awaiting ratification of the states.)
The political landscape of our nation is littered with current and former heads of our government that have accepted positions of office, and titles of nobility from foreign nations and royalty. Most are lobbyist acting on behalf of foreign interests for financial gain. They have bartered away their allegiance to our nation for their own personal gain. They place our nation at grave risk, yet Congress wants people to believe burning of the flag in protest is the more grievous act. Hogwash! Any citizen that will take a position of allegiance to another nation must cease being a citizen of our nation. No man can serve two masters.
With the proposed flag amendment Congress is trying to establish a higher standard of behavior for our citizens than they are willing to uphold themselves, and it is their acts that places our nation in the greatest jeopardy. Many uniformed members of our military have died protecting our flag. Many times more have died by the acts of treasonous betrayal of our own citizens. It is the right of the citizens of our nation to hold our elected, appointed and employed in government to the highest standard of allegiance. Burning our flag in protest can upset me, but government leaders compromising their allegiance to our nation can kill us, severely peril our nation, and our way of life.
I say flag desecration is an act, not speech. Once we confuse acts with speech then all acts including murder are allowed under the Constitution, logically.
Free speech is guaranteed under our constitution and I believe in that. However, I do not believe that flag burning is speech but an act against America. And I will fight to the teeth to preserve the right of the American people to vote, and the states right to vote on whatever they wish.
bump for angry postcards to the US Sup Ct
US Supreme Court
1 First St. NE
Wash. DC 20543
Thanks, I'll pass on the lamb. The rest sounds lovely. What about property rights of the individual?
Based on this statement, then, wouldn't this make you against a Constitutional amendment banning flag burning? Wouldn't such an amendment take away the right for an individual state's citizenry to pass their own legislation for or against (as in Roe v Wade)?
No, I am for the Constitution Amendment banning flag burning. If you are so for flag burning, why don't you go and do it before some armed soldiers in Afghanistan or Iraq or better yet, in front of veterans.
After all, it was their buddies blood that was spilled for the flag and I'm sure they won't mind you spitting on their buddies blood.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.