Government at all levels seems hellbent on stealing away what freedoms we here in the Fifty States have left. Between them, big corporations, institutions (private and “public”) and the special interest groups, they want a society that would be more restrictive than that of the Third Reich in many ways. The nanny-statists in particular are both incredibly obnoxious and pushing constantly.

That is apparently the case even in Vermont, the Green Mountain once-Free State. The legislature again is trying to pass laws to steal guns away from more and more people. Including young people, ages 18-20.

Well, that ticked off at least one person, a Democratic senator named John Rodgers. So according to the Barre-Montpelier Times-Argus, he introduced a bill that would ban the ownership and operation of cell phones by anyone under age 21.

As you can imagine, when I first saw the news about this bill, I was disgusted. But then I saw that Senator Rodgers did it to make a point, and will probably vote against it himself if it makes it to the floor of the Senate.

His point? That the legislature seems determined to steal more and more liberty. Stating that he is a staunch Second-Amendment advocate, he argues that the statistics show that cell phone use by teens is more dangerous to teens than guns are. Teens are distracted by texting and calling while driving (and even walking across the street), and one of the causes of teen suicide is cyber-bullying. By using cellphones.

So he is holding up his colleagues to ridicule by throwing their own words back into their teeth.

If only more people could do that – and WOULD do that.

Not that there aren’t many other ways to make a point, publicly or privately, to the politicians and bureaucrats. It can be a fun pastime, and can really pay off.

Years ago, people in Tennessee got rid of the state’s income tax through a long campaign of pushing back against the politicians (liberal and conservative) that kept stealing more and more money. That included loud and fun protests, including innovative ideas like cruising to call attention to their appeals. (I know, you gotta be pretty old to remember cruising, unless you like old movies and TV shows.) It included constantly warning them that everything that they voted for was a public record and that it would be publicized. Not by someone running against them, hoping for votes. But rather people who made it clear that they wanted results – less taxes, less government, less stupidity.

Satire and ridicule can be valuable in making a point. Not just to the person whose ways you want to change, but to those who influence, control, or support those people. Even if they are thugs at heart.

Jesus even talked about that, in His parable of the wicked judge. The poor widow couldn’t afford to do anything to get him to deal justly with her. So she just kept bugging him, appealing to him, and making life miserable for him just by asking what was her right to have from him.

Let’s talk about this more in the next commentary. One which hits much closer to home than Vermont.

Those who love their liberty, their families, and their communities and nations need to use every tool possible to fight against the stupid tyranny of governments – the powers that be.

Ridicule can be a very useful tool.