Four freedoms: soap box, ballot box, jury box, cartridge box

Charlotte Observer ^ | May 31, 2003 | Jim Morrill

[southernnorthcarolina]

Republican delegates vote this afternoon on a platform that includes the following passage on civil liberties.

"Our forefathers gave individuals four ways to protect themselves against the power of the state: (1) the soapbox (freedom of speech); (2) the ballot box (the right to vote); (3) the jury box (trial by peers); and (4) the cartridge box (right to bear arms). The Republican Party stands against efforts to erode these methods of self-determination."

[southernnorthcarolina]

The North Carolina Republican Convention is being held in Charlotte this weekend. Those interested can find the scoop on who's running for Governor, etc. on other threads. But I thought this was an interesting item. It is excerpted from Jim Morrill's "Convention Notebook" summary.

[gcruse]

Too bad the founders didn't think of the flower box, ie, the freedom to grow any vegetable you please. Probably that is because they never dreamed something that basic would ever be controversial, let alone illegal.

[snopercod]

I was dismayed to watch Jeb Bush, our Governor to the South, state that "Driving a car is a privelege, not a right guaranteed by the Constitution".

I'm not surprised that he has never read the Tenth Amendment.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Like statists of both parties, he believes that people only have rights "given to them" by the government.

[GladesGuru]

That's nearly the exact wording of part of one of my lectures in both my teacher continuing ed and student education programs.

It is a nice feeling to know that a mainstraem party accepts what this nation was based upon, and should once be based upon.

Let's have a round of applause for North Carolina, its Republicans, and Rep Charles Taylor.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I was dismayed to watch Jeb Bush, our Governor to the South, state that "Driving a car is a privelege, not a right guaranteed by the Constitution".

I'm not surprised that he has never read the Tenth Amendment.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Like statists of both parties, he believes that people only have rights "given to them" by the government.

There is no federal drivers licenses.

Driving is a privilege.

However, you don't need a license to hire a cab.
You don't need a license to ride a train or a bus or a plane.
And you don't need a license to walk.

So feel free and take a hike.:>)

[vpintheak]

I hope they really mean it, and aren't just trying to win votes.

[William McKinley]

Sounds to me like the 10th is saying that states could regulate driving if they want.

[StriperSniper]

Call it the Box of Rights.

I like that!

[jim_trent]

Please explain. I see where he is coming from, but not you.

[Bob]

However, you don't need a license to hire a cab.
You don't need a license to ride a train or a bus or a plane.
And you don't need a license to walk.

You don't need a license to drive on private property either.

[no-s]

So feel free and take a hike.:>)

Don't you know pedestrians are banned on most public highways?

[wcbtinman]

"There is no federal drivers licenses."

Well, they may call it a "state" drivers license, but the Commercial Drivers License (CDL) is about as close as you can get...federal database, federal penalties, and federal time if you really screw up.