Posted on 06/19/2002 11:33:59 AM PDT by sheltonmac
Those worrying about the erosion of liberty in this time of crisis often quote Benjamin Franklin, who said, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." The problem with this advice is that it is well over two centuries old, and no one back then could have imagined the dangers we face today. We are at war and should be expected to sacrifice some liberty for safety.
According to a national poll taken recently by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, seven out of 10 Americans said that they would give up at least some of their civil liberties to improve security. That shouldn't be at all surprising considering the magnitude of the terrorist threat to our nation as well as the rest of the free world.
The same poll showed that about 90 percent of Americans favor having more police assigned to patrol public areas. 70 percent believe that there should be a law requiring adults to carry a national ID card with their photograph and Social Security number, and roughly half support the idea of random police searches in public places.
It is clear that most of America is behind the president in his effort to eradicate terrorism. The few individuals who are not seem to be those who are clinging too tightly to their precious Constitution. They refuse to give up even the smallest right, when doing so might mean the difference between victory and defeat.
These people, whether they realize it or not, are the terrorists' strongest allies in this war. Any attempt to detract from the plans of our president and his administration is tantamount to treason. If they can't learn the concept of "go along to get along," they need to be silenced. This war needs to be won-no matter what the cost.
When terrorists attacked our shores on Sept. 11, the fear-mongers immediately launched into their tirades against U.S. foreign policy, particularly our support for Israel. They talked about how the actions of our "empire" fueled the hatred of Islamic fundamentalists and how we should adopt a more isolationist position on global matters. All this, of course, is nonsense.
While the United States may have been able to avoid foreign entanglements at one time, we must realize that this is the 21st Century. This is not the world our forefathers knew. The Constitution may have been good enough for a fledgling nation 200 years ago, but we must evolve beyond such a narrow worldview if we hope to remain a global superpower.
Ronald Reagan once called us to be a "city on a hill," a place upon which all eyes of the world would be cast. If we allow a dusty old document like the Constitution to prevent us from doing what is necessary, we shall lose the respect of those who look to our nation as an example of greatness. No, we must maintain our lofty position in the world, and if that means behaving like an empire, so be it. The only alternative would be to succumb to terrorism, and that cannot be an option.
We need to be more positive. We need to be more supportive of our government, especially now. The president should not be criticized for doing his duty as Commander in Chief. Yet, through it all, there are those who not only see the glass of liberty as half-empty, they see it as the wrong beverage. This unpatriotic attitude was evident when President Bush signed the Patriot Act into law.
I feel I should point out that when President Bush signed the Patriot Act, he was doing what nearly half of all registered voters who actually bothered to vote elected him to do-lead. The people of this nation wanted a leader with an iron resolve and this president has shown that he is the man for the job. Rather than get behind the spirit of the Patriot Act, some disgruntled people would rather focus on the ambiguous aspects of the legislation and live in fear of the worst-case scenario.
As the poll above shows, this administration is merely doing the will of the people. Doing anything else would not bode well for the GOP this November. It would also hurt the president's chances of getting re-elected in 2004, and ensuring his re-election is absolutely vital to winning this war on terror. No other politician has shown such dedication and strength of character. Honestly, I shudder to imagine where this country would be without President Bush at the helm.
To those who insist on holding firm to the Constitution and making the government's job harder than it has to be, let me remind you that WE ARE AT WAR. Get behind the president and show your support. All of your worries are unfounded. If history is any indication, every civil liberty you give up now will be promptly restored once this war is over. That's a promise.
Liberty is overrated. Safety is what counts during times of crisis. After all, how can liberty be enjoyed if one cannot feel safe?
You forgot your cup, didn't you?
Jeez! You must think those terrorists are going to play dirty. But steel-toed boots would be prudent. Many here feel that prudence is next to Republicanism as a virtue.
A re-tread of the gun-grabbers mantra.
I wouldn't put them above the occasional dirty trick...
I have friends who earned millions last year that didn't pay anything near that rate.
I’ll bet you’re one of those dopes who think that corporations actually pay the “corporate taxes” instead of the consumers.
The government eats up over half of your salary, whether you’re smart enough to realize it or not.
Only a dolt would assume the only taxes are the ones you file every April 15.
Wasn't the Jews and others treated like prisoners?
You can't relate America with that senario no matter how you twist things in your posts.
Sixty years ago, you could have your property taken away and be hauled off to prison in America because of your race.
Eighty years ago, you could be strung from a tree in America without a trial.
A hundred and forty years ago, humans could be bought and sold like cattle in America.
Have you ever even opened a history book?
How much do you think we pay? Allow me to name a few:
Social Security: 13%
PA Sales Tax: 6%
State Income Tax: 4%
Local tax: 1%
Fed'l tax: 25%
That's 49%, not counting hidden taxes. Case closed.
LOL, this one was great. And you even warned them!! What a hoot!! Keep up the great work. At least some of them are beginning to think now.
First it is a riot that a person who calls themselves dead calls anyone else stupid.
I could say the same about somebody who identifies themselves as a California resident, but that's besides the point.
Most corporations don't end up paying much tax.
So much gibberish.
Corporations don’t pay ANY taxes. They merely collect taxes for the government from the people who purchase their goods or services.
In other words, YOU pay corporate taxes.
You have either intentionally or unintentionally upset a number of people on this forum, myself included."
As the author, it was my intention to upset a few people in this forum. I could have posted the disclaimer but chose not to because I thought it would be interesting to see how many people would: 1) actually bother to check the source of the essay, 2) become outraged and voice their support for the Constitution, and 3) see the similarity between the arguments used in the essay and those seen frequently right here on Free Republic. Too many "conservatives" have used the very arguments put forth in the essay to justify more government encroachment on our liberties. On one hand, it is satire, but on the other hand, some of the arguments are all too real. Whenever someone says that we should not criticize the president's actions, what they are saying is, "Liberty is overrated—safety should be our first concern." I, for one, do not subscribe to that viewpoint.
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.