Posted on 04/16/2003 5:50:46 PM PDT by Fearless Flyers
Tax Reform Tuesday Oppressed by Government Bureaucrats & Local Police
April 15th, 2003 the dead line that forces Americans to pay tribute to Caesar and face the undeniable fact, of how against the wishes of our founding fathers the government intrudes into our private lives. My friend John Hallman, South Florida Chapter Leader of Citizens for a Sound Economy and I, had decided on a course of action. We would stand in front of Boca Raton Post Offices with flyers from the C.S.E. declaring “Tax Reform Tuesday”. The flyers for those who chose to inquire about them, would direct people to a toll free number of a switchboard that would redirect the call to the Senator who represents them in Washington.
John dropped me off at the Post office on the East side of town and then went on to another. I had the flyers, some contact forms and two hand painted silk kites with the image of the Gadsden Flag on one and the Statue of Liberty on the other.
The first thing I did as I set up, was reach into my camera bag and get out the most deadly weapon against any oppressive society, 50 copies of the United States Constitution in pocket form. I pride myself in being the most deadly armed force against government largess and intrusion into our private lives and carry a few of the Constitutions where ever I go. I learned this lesson from Col. Oliver North, United States Marine Corps ret. Watching him on T.V. many years ago when he was debating some Anti–American Socialist, I saw him reach into his jacket and pull the Constitution out, which he said, he always carried close to his heart. He went on to destroy the socialist with the different articles of the Constitution, only opening up the document so his seditious opponent could see what he was saying was true. If ever you want to learn a lesson in self defense, there’s no better source then one of America’s Military Heroes.
As I began to set up the Kites and place stickers on them reading “America Needs a Tax Cut” I heard a window open behind me and a voice saying “YOU CAN”T DO THAT HERE!” I turned to see a women peering at me from behind a crack in the window. “Excuse me” I said “do what?” Demandingly she said “You can’t collect petition signatures on Post Office property.” I politely asked her name and what position she held, “Christine Quinn, District Manager” she answered. I explained keeping a respectful tone “I’m not collecting petition signatures I’m offering people copies of the Constitution and information about how to contact our Senators, to let them know how we feel about President Bush’s Budget and his Tax Cuts” Then I offered her a copy of the Constitution.” This tactic must have offended her as she belligerently responded “I DON”T NEED ONE OF THOSE AND YOU CAN’T DO THAT EITHER!” Keeping a calm demeanor I asked “Do what, practice my constitutional right to peaceable assembly or my right to freedom of speech” the bureaucrat had trouble responding to this, she probably should have taken one of the Constitutions when it was offered, again I tried to offer one. Then in an unsure voice she replied “You can’t pass out hand bills on Post Office property.” Thinking to myself, I’ve been here for five minutes and this evil unelected bureaucrat is already willing to deny three of my constitutional guarantees, she isn’t even sure if she’s right about what’s coming out of her mouth. I explained to her “I’m not sure about what you’re saying and it doesn’t seem you are either. I don’t mean to be adversarial, but could you call somebody in authority who can clarify this.” She slammed the window in my face.
I was a little nervous as I continued to stand there with the C.S.E. flyers in my left hand and the Constitutions in my right. Many thoughts went through my mind as I stood there, smiling, nodding and wishing the customers good morning, as they admired the kites and examined the documents I was displaying for their consumption. I wondered what our Founding Fathers would have thought of this and was reassured when I remembered the pamphlets that explained the grievances of the Colonists before the American Revolution. I thought of Col. North and wondered what he would think of this situation, he may not believe in my purpose for being here today, but I thought he would probably defend my right to be there.
Then something dawned on me. The United States Postal Service is responsible for forcing more unsolicited literature on the people of our nation than any organization in the country, its called junk mail. For a moment I thought this cause is worth getting arrested for, but that thought passed rather quickly. I’m standing here to gain help in reforming the tax code, to inform people of the dangers in big government and waste in federal spending. Getting arrested would just cause them to waste more money and time, it would not benefit the cause and that would be hypocritical.
I guess Miss Quinn didn’t understand my request about calling somebody in authority who could clarify the matter, because up came a local Boca Police Officer. I greeted him good morning and he informed me I couldn’t be there. So I politely asked where I could stand, while I was still holding the constitutions and the C.S.E. Literature. Then he asked what I was trying to do? I explained it to him and again asked him where I could stand. He informed me that he didn’t know but I couldn’t stay where I was and that he would not allow me to stand on the side walk. I asked him, what type of penalty I would be facing, would it be a citation or would I be going to jail? He explained it would be up to his discretion and he didn’t feel he needed to inform me what he would decide to do in that case.
Never question an untrained cop’s authority, as I discovered after suggesting that we were currently standing on federal property and it was up to his discretion, whether he wanted to fulfill the Post Office’s request of him to step outside his jurisdiction and run me off for practicing my Constitutional rights. He asked for my identification. It’s been along time since I had to hand this over to anyone so it took me a few minutes to find my I.D. after I opened my wallet. While I was looking for it, he asked “Are you carrying a gun, I see your NRA card there?” Damn the code of conservative activism. Now this untrained cop who has not informed me whether or not I was being placed under arrest and I have not threatened in any way is insulting me, by asking me to expose privileged information about my personal security. Remaining respectful in my tone when I answered his question, I tipped my Shooter’s Hat to him in compliment of his powers of observation. A second officer, who had arrived while I was getting my wallet out, gave a knowing smile to my response, as it went over the first cops head.
While the cop ran my name for possible warrants he decided he would take up debate with me about taxes. He asked why I was against taxes. I explained I wasn’t necessarily against all taxes I was standing against the Federal Income Tax. He asked what the problem was with them. I started to explain how the Federalist Papers, written by our Founding Fathers portrayed the debate about the ratification of the Constitution, he interrupted me. “No I asked you about Taxes not about the ahh ahh Federalist and the Constitution” I informed him how, That answer is in the Federalist Papers and that they explain how direct taxes are the most effective way of oppressing the people. “Oh are you oppressed” he asked triumphantly as he stood there looking for a way to intimidate me for practicing my Constitutional rights, which he was at that very moment denying me. I replied rhetorically “Why are you here.” the second officer snickered.
Realizing it is worthless to continue this debate with an unarmed mind and that the cop already had been informed there were no warrants in my name, I asked if I was free to go. Reluctantly he said yes. I packed up my things and walked away, knowing the cop will never know how thoroughly he was embarrassed in front of his peer. The cop was obliviously not interested in being informed about the subject at hand, he initiated the debate as a way to attempt to intimidate me and gain a reaction that would give cause for him to misuse his authority and arrest me. He failed in his personal agenda and unknowingly humiliated himself and embarrassed the City of Boca Raton and their Police department.
I spent the rest of the morning on a bench beside Federal Highway in Boca Raton with the Gadsden Flag opened next to me, C.S.E. sticker attached. I defiantly studied the Constitution, exposing it to all the residents of Boca who passed by and tapped my foot to Home Spun Songs of the Confederate States of America, by Bobby Horton, a friend to all Constitutionalists. Thanks for the company Mr. Horton.
I hope the people of Boca Raton feel secure as they sleep tonight, knowing how well informed their Police are in their Constitutional rights and how well trained they are especially in their observation skills. Considering ignorance will always be in the majority, I’m sure the people do feel secure.
Both referred to the group as "libertarians."
That should tell Republicans they aren't working hard enough.
Good for you for sticking up for your rights.
While one party (D) need only march in place, the other (wannabe/metoo) party (R) is quickly catching up.
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