A Revolt Steeped in.... History

[rZ]

Thomas Paine from The American Crisis

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

December 23, 1776

Is is possible that by replacing "Britain" with "The Government of the United States of America", this statement holds true after nearly 233 years.

Another Paine quote that is just as true today:

"It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government."

And finally, to the FBI and DHS, who I'm sure have buildings full of computers dedicated to seeking out any and all messages that are perceived as anti-government or even resemble free speech. Thank you for the invitation to join your watch list, it's good to be here!

[ShockBand]

A good source of historical marginal income tax rate data:

http://www.taxfoundation.org/publications/show/151.html

[SubGod22]

Thomas Paine from The American Crisis

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

December 23, 1776

Is is possible that by replacing "Britain" with "The Government of the United States of America", this statement holds true after nearly 233 years.

Another Paine quote that is just as true today:

"It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government."

And finally, to the FBI and DHS, who I'm sure have buildings full of computers dedicated to seeking out any and all messages that are perceived as anti-government or even resemble free speech. Thank you for the invitation to join your watch list, it's good to be here!

:good:

[RoyalShock]

Thomas Paine from The American Crisis

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God.

December 23, 1776

Is is possible that by replacing "Britain" with "The Government of the United States of America", this statement holds true after nearly 233 years.

Another Paine quote that is just as true today:

"It is the duty of every patriot to protect his country from its government."

And finally, to the FBI and DHS, who I'm sure have buildings full of computers dedicated to seeking out any and all messages that are perceived as anti-government or even resemble free speech. Thank you for the invitation to join your watch list, it's good to be here!

Awesome!

I particularly like the patriot quote. It goes to show how American thinking has reversed itself, and now legislation designed to allow government to spy on Americans and violate the 4th Amendment is labeled the PATRIOT Act.

rZ, welcome to the club!

[SubGod22]

Axlerod Slams Tea Parties and proves that he simply doesn't get it. And this guy is an advisor to PBO?

[SubGod22]

51% View Tea Parties Favorably, Political Class Strongly Disagrees

[WuDrWu]

The lesson to the masses should be, throw them all out of office.


The only people REALLY not in touch with what's going on in America are the politicians.

[RoyalShock]

Of course the "Political Class" (bascially those who trust government more than the people) are going to strongly disagree. That data from the poll is worthless.

The tea parties will hopefully serve as the announcement that people are getting fed up. If it stops at that, it was an exercise in futility. For it to have any impact it must be followed up with more serious protests and demonstrations and at some point there will have to be action. Either true civil disobedience or massive turnover during the next election.

[SubGod22]

I've heard of one group trying to organize a major DC Tea Party on July 4 and another looking to do the same on October 2 I believe. I'll have to double check the date of the 2nd one.

[RoyalShock]

I've heard of one group trying to organize a major DC Tea Party on July 4 and another looking to do the same on October 2 I believe. I'll have to double check the date of the 2nd one.

Ugh.

Now much sense does it make to have people waste a bunch of money to travel to DC, where everybody else does their protests, and that Washington and everyone else has learned to ignore?

Use that money to fund the campaigns of those poised to run against the incumbents that don't get it. (If your Rep gets it, target somebody else's Rep.)

[RoyalShock]

FBI Spied on Tea Parties

I have no idea how credible this is. But it does fit in with everything else we've been told about government security agencies and perceived "right-wingers" (MIAC, DHS reports).

[RoyalShock]

CNN yanking Tea Party embarrassment

Communist News Network?

[SubGod22]

LA Times: The 'tea parties' had a serious message -- were you listening?

[Maggie]

A good article in the WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124104689179070747.html

As an aside, the current political climate actually prompted me to take a second look at Ayn Rand, and in particular Atlas Shrugged , while I was on vacation. While I can’t say I was very receptive to Ms. Rand’s political philosophy in the past (Objectivism) – the fact is some of the collectivist scenarios in Atlas (published in the late 50s) do seem ripped from the current headlines.

[SubGod22]

A good article in the WSJ:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124104689179070747.html

As an aside, the current political climate actually prompted me to take a second look at Ayn Rand, and in particular Atlas Shrugged , while I was on vacation. While I can’t say I was very receptive to Ms. Rand’s political philosophy in the past (Objectivism) – the fact is some of the collectivist scenarios in Atlas (published in the late 50s) do seem ripped from the current headlines.

That's what I've heard and plan on getting around and reading Atlas at some point.