Many of us in what is sometimes called the “liberty movement” have been labeled more than once as “enemies of the state.” The implication is that we are therefore opposed to decency and good order. That we are opposed to morals, that we advocate chaos.

As we seek to find names to label the various people who have applied this label to lovers of liberty – and even to minarchists – Tom Knapp suggested simply lumping them all together as enemies of liberty. Certainly that they are! That includes Republicans and Democrats, Liberals and Conservatives (at least the neo-version of each). It applies to the progressives (whom we tend to call “regressives” here at TPOL). To both the anti-fascists and the fascists. To the socialists (national or not), the communists (international socialists), and to the transnational socialist Tranzis. All sorts of nasty folks.

But we must also remember that it applies to the large numbers of other people: to so-called non- or bi-partisans, non-government, and many others. Including those who merely tolerate governments and other enemies of liberty. Or tacitly support them.

Consider this: Nazgul (SCOTUS Justice) Ketanji Brown Jackson told a plaintiffs’ attorney at one point, “My biggest concern is that your view has the First Amendment hamstringing the government in significant ways.”

This came from a “constitutional scholar” whose supposed role is to defend the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, against all enemies foreign and domestic. How? By making informed, reasoned, and wise decisions on controversies and laws enacted by Congress and President. (Please, don’t laugh or choke!)

Of course the Constitution – not just the First Amendment – hamstrings the government in many, many ways. It was intended to do so.

Who is the enemy of decency and order? Of liberty? Woman (and men) like this one, who worship power and control, and those who write their paychecks and grant them privileges.

And unfortunately, she is not alone: whatever their proclaimed political affiliation (or not), their philosophy is simple: government rules. Their job, as they see it, is not to constrain government, but rather to empower it.

Until we understand and internalize that, we will continue to loose the terrors of tyranny on ourselves, our neighbors, and our descendants.

We must wake up, take up our tools, and step forward and speak loudly.