"I advocate the Constitutional view and take a dim view of any expansion of governmental power at the expense of liberty. Liberty, once lost, is difficult to reclaim without bloodshed."
And while I would generally agree with you, we've seen instances throughout our own history were liberties have been lost...and reclaimed. Whether we go back to Lincoln and the Civil War, the Sedition Act, FDR and internment or even J Edgar and his years, there are many instances were liberty was more threatened than it is today.
I have to laugh when I hear some people talking about how this administrations assault on civil liberties is the worst in our history. This is just nonsense when you consider what has been done during previous administrations...including the last one. Liberty, while most precious, means nothing without Life.
Whether we go back to Lincoln and the Civil War, the Sedition Act, FDR and internment or even J Edgar and his years, there are many instances were liberty was more threatened than it is today.
I would argue that the threat today is far less convincing or imminent than those you mention. And internment of American citizens was just wrong and there's no excusing it.
Liberty, while most precious, means nothing without Life.
If it's 'most precious', then trumping it with 'Life' is simply saying you'd rather be a slave than dead.
“Those who would trade safety for freedom deserve neither.” - Thomas Jefferson
“Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for temporal safety deserve neither to be safe or free.” - Benjamin Franklin
“Why stand we here idle? What is that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of the chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what the course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” - Patrick Henry
The Founders tried to warn in their writings and protect us in their Constitution and Bill Of Rights against citizens like you but I fear their efforts were futile. I suspect most of them knew true liberty was to be a short-lived phenomena.