“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”
— James Madison
“The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.”
— Louis D. Brandeis
Even here at Free Republic there are non-smokers who cheer each time the government places more restrictions and taxes on tobacco products because they do not like tobacco or tobacco smoke.
But the larger issue is the encroaching government presence in our lives and loss of a little more personal freedom each time the government adds another restriction or tax.
By siding with the government to control tobacco smokers or gun owners, or to dictate conduct like the wearing of helmets or seat belts, or the ellimination of monkey bars and swings in play yards we have allowed them to divide us and enabled them to erode our freedoms in almost every area of life.
Some where along the line, especially since the LBJ years, Americans seem to have lost the understanding that we cannot have a free society if we grant government the power to restrict and control a particular legal behavior just because some people do not approve of it. Many never seem to consider that there are people somewhere who object to almost anything.
Americans have ignored the fact that we must protect the rights of every person from unwarranted government control because once we grant them the power to diminish a right they will use that power against us all.
Sadly we are far down that path and this is just another move to reduce our freedom even further.
Yes, I’m sorry to say that many - even here at FreeRepublic - tend to think in terms of their own situation rather than the Constitution or what actually effects all. I’m not sure how that happens or how to reach those folks, but am trying on a daily basis to get all to understand the underlying problems with our leadership. I really am at a standstill though since it seems that way too many here believe that our beloved government will (and should) solve our problems.
You who believe that deserve the assholes you elected...
Sure, there are plenty of statists in the Republican party, and by default, FR.