Guest commentary: 2022 Declaration of Independence

Posted on 2022-07-04 by TPOL Nathan

A modern rendition of the classic from a great pair of writers, and a couple of additions!

By John and Nisha Rutherford Declare your independence, America!

There comes a time when a populace must stand united and say “enough is enough” to the government’s abuses, even if it means getting rid of the political parties in power.

Believing that “we the people” have a natural and divine right to direct our own lives, here are truths about the power of the people and how we arrived at the decision to sever our ties to the government:

All people are created equal.

All people possess certain innate rights that no government or agency or individual can take away from them. Among these are the right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

The government’s job is to protect the people’s innate rights to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness [including property]. The government’s power comes from the will of the people.

Whenever any government abuses its power, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish that government and replace it with a new government that will respect and protect the rights of the people.

It is not wise to get rid of a government for minor transgressions. In fact, as history has shown, people resist change and are inclined to suffer all manner of abuses to which they have become accustomed.

However, when the people have been subjected to repeated abuses and power grabs, carried out with the purpose of establishing a tyrannical government, people have a right and duty to do away with that tyrannical government and to replace it with a new government that will protect and preserve their innate rights for their future wellbeing.

This is exactly the state of affairs we are under suffering under right now, which is why it is necessary that we change this imperial system of government.

The history of the present Imperial Government is a history of repeated abuses and power grabs, carried out with the intention of establishing absolute tyranny over the country.

To prove this, consider the following:

The government has, through its own negligence and arrogance, refused to adopt urgent and necessary laws [and repeal most] for the good of the people.

The government has threatened to hold up critical laws unless the people agree to relinquish their right to be fully represented in the Legislature.

In order to expand its power and bring about compliance with its dictates, the government has made it nearly impossible for the people to make their views and needs heard by their representatives.

The government has repeatedly suppressed protests arising in response to its actions.

The government has obstructed justice by refusing to appoint judges who respect the Constitution and has instead made the courts march in lockstep with the government’s dictates.

The government has allowed its agents to harass the people, steal from them, jail them and even execute them.

The government has directed militarized government agents—a.k.a., a standing army—to police domestic affairs in peacetime.

The government has turned the country into a militarized police state.

The government has conspired to undermine the rule of law and the constitution in order to expand its own powers.

The government has allowed its militarized police to invade our homes and inflict violence on homeowners.

The government has failed to hold its agents accountable for wrongdoing and murder under the guise of “qualified immunity.”

The government has jeopardized our international [and interstate] trade agreements.

The government has overtaxed us without our [unanimous] permission.

The government has denied us due process and the right to a fair trial.

The government has engaged in extraordinary rendition.

The government has continued to expand its military empire in collusion with its corporate partners-in-crime and occupy foreign nations.

The government has eroded fundamental legal protections and destabilized the structure of government.

The government has not only declared its federal powers superior to those of the states but has also asserted its sovereign power over the rights of “we the people.”

The government has ceased to protect the people and instead waged domestic war against the people.

The government has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, and destroyed the lives of the people.

The government has employed private contractors and mercenaries to carry out acts of death, desolation and tyranny, totally unworthy of a civilized nation.

The government through its political propaganda has pitted its citizens against each other.

The government has stirred up civil unrest and laid the groundwork for martial law.

Repeatedly, we have asked the government to cease its abuses. Each time, the government has responded with more abuse.

An Imperial Ruler who acts like a tyrant is not fit to govern a free people.

We have repeatedly sounded the alarm to our fellow citizens about the government’s abuses. We have warned them about the government’s power grabs. We have appealed to their sense of justice. We have reminded them of our common bonds.

They have rejected our plea for justice and brotherhood. They are equally at fault for the injustices being carried out by the government.

Thus, for the reasons mentioned above, we the people of the united States of America declare ourselves free from the chains of an abusive government. Relying on God’s protection, we pledge to stand by this Declaration of Independence with our lives, our fortunes and our honor.

Obviously, as readers doubtless know, John and Nisha are at best libertarian-light, and certainly not of our ilk: anarchists who believe in free markets and reject human, mandatory government. And we know, as the last 246 years has demonstrated, the long-term futility of such a declaration. Yet we would be so much better off in a short time, here in the States and around the world, if we could just push back as much as the Whiteheads are doing, successfully of course. It would be a start.

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Declaring independence – personally

Posted on 2022-07-03 by TPOL Nathan

Although we think of independence and secession as a group action – this is really NOT the case. As Tom Knapp recently pointed out, NO “institution” or “government” or “organization” really does anything except through the actions of individuals. Even when it is individuals who are forced by other individuals (usually acting in groups, admittedly) to do or not do something. Liberty is, at the bottom, an individual thing.

One of the failures of American independence in establishing and preserving liberty is the failure to understand and apply that concept.

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A few thoughts about that “evil thing” called secession

Posted on 2022-07-02 by TPOL Nathan

Publisher’s Note: Today, 2 July 2022, is the 247th Anniversary of what we consider the correct Independence Day for the thirteen nations of British North America that became the first United States of America.

It has long been a tradition of the Liberty Round Table for the Knights of Non-Aggression, including Mama Liberty (whom we usually referred to as “Lady Susan”) to celebrate with a nice meal and lots of noise of various calibers and styles – and some additional fun noisemakers. That was, of course, a longstanding American tradition, especially in the West but actually originating on those first thirteen States on the Atlantic Seaboard.

Why? Because it was on July 2, 1776, that delegates at the Second Continental Congress assembled in Philadelphia officially separated the 13 American “colonies” from Britain by approving a motion for independence advanced by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. John Adams, for all his many faults, was one who considered it the “real” day.

On to some brief thoughts about secession:

Independence Day (NOT “the Fourth of July”) is all about secession. Twelve or thirteen totally separate colonies of the Mother Country – all from Britain or taken over by that kingdom deciding enough was enough. That it was time for a divorce from an abusive parent. And figuring it made sense to do it together, to “hang together rather than hang separately.” Stupid as that has turned out.

(Oddly enough, no one else ever did that to Britain. The closest was (southern) Ireland. But Canada didn’t, Australia and NZ didn’t. They can pretend that India (and Pakistan) and South Africa did – but they weren’t really colonies as much as conquests. Today people can pretend that is what Scotland may be stumbling towards, but in reality if they “free” themselves from London, they’ll just be another servant to Brussels. More transnational socialism: Tranzis in all but name.)

Of course, that is inevitably linked (at least in my mind) with what the GOP did in Houston last month (adding a call for a secession question on a statewide ballot to their platform). So, I figure, after the GOP making it more “mainstream” to even TALK about leaving the rapidly-mortibund Union, it should be of interest to readers to discuss a few issues.

  1. Can States secede? This, we are constantly told, was “decided” by the Chase Court in the 1869 case, White vs. Texas. We are told that the decision claimed that Texas legally had never left the Union, either when it seceded in 1861 (in response to Lincoln’s and Congress’ treatment of the first six States to do so) or when it was de-facto demoted to a territory, and a military-occupied territory at that, in 1865. Beyond the obvious immoral consideration by what was a kangaroo court in which virtually every member should have recused themselves, the decision (and all the concurrences and dissents and such) really doesn’t say that. Although none of us here at TPOL are attorneys (Praise the Lord!), as we understand it, the closest thing to concensus was that Texas didn’t actually secede because it FAILED to succeed! And therefore its action was, post ex defacto, a traitorous act. But the Constitution neither explicitly or implicitly provides for or prohibits secession. Therefore, the Tenth Amendment DOES retain to the States (and/or their People) the power to leave the Union. White v Texas reminds us that such a decision, whether by a vote of the people of a State, a State convention, or by the legislature and executive of a State, MUST be made with the understanding that the departure from the Union almost certainly will require physically defending it with violent force – and being victorious.
  2. Why would a State secede? I know, this is an obvious and perhaps silly question. But we definitely should ask and answer it. The FedGov was created by the original Thirteen States to be their servant, NOT their master. Actually starting before the War between the States, that role was rapidly reversing. Today, ALL Fifty States act as though THEY are the servants of an all-powerful FedGov with a few modest restrictions on what it can do. Is it any surprise that that is viewed by at least some people as an intolerable situation in 2022? States were created by the agreement (in general, we know, and in flawed ways) of the people of that State, and were (and morally and legally are) sovereign. They should be governed (if at all!) by the will of their people restrained by a moral and social obligation NOT to infringe on God-given rights, as typified by the non-aggression principle: no initiation of violence or threat of violence. No matter HOW many votes and bullies you have. As such, the States as voluntary organizations and members of a dying Union now have a moral obligation to protect their own people from a tyrannical and merciless FedGov and its co-conspirators and minions and masters. Secession is one method of meeting that obligation.

Well, that is a start on our discussion on this 2nd of July, Anno Liberatus 246. As news and time permits, here are some other questions to consider. If readers have more, please suggest them!

  1. What would happen if Texas seceded?
  2. What would happen if California seceded?
  3. What would happen if BOTH Texas and California seceded?
  4. What about that war between the States?
  5. What about the American war of independence?
  6. What about Brexit?
  7. Can communities or regions secede?
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Our “sacred documents” – looking back at failure?

Posted on 2022-07-01 by TPOL Nathan

As Americans honor Independence Day, we tend to concentrate on the Declaration of Independence, one of our fundamental founding documents, and considered sacred by many – even inspired by God.

Another of those is, of course, the US Constitution. However, opinions among libertarians are mixed. Is it a “hologram of liberty” as Boston T. Party claims? Or is it a vital but flawed document as L Neil Smith pointed out? Or a counter-revolutionary document, as Tom Knapp has explained? All worth pondering.

Back just over a decade ago, an obvious but anonymous statist (with so-called “Christian conservative” and even “Christian dominion” ideas) penned an interesting essay, “Why our Constitution fails in other countries.” (6 February 2012)

Let us read it and then consider some additional points as we approach the 247th Independence Day.

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Warning – Independence Day ahead!

Posted on 2022-06-30 by TPOL Nathan

Welcome to the last day of June 2022, indeed a horrible month for many reasons.(Apologies for the delay in publishing – computer gliches are always with us!)

In just two days, many lovers of liberty will celebrate American Independence Day – the 2nd of July, 246 years ago, when those Founding Fathers in Philadelphia voted to publish a statement of treason and secession from the British Empire and their King. We are close to entering what SHOULD be Anno Libertatus 247: the 247th year of liberty. Not that merely agreeing to a document, even one like the Declaration of Independence, meant instant liberty even for the people of the united Thirteen States of 1776. Much less the rest of the world then or now.

This is a very brief posting and commentary, but let us talk about just a few things.

  1. It is impossible to be truly and individually independent as long as we saddle ourselves with mandatory, human government.
  2. No matter how limited and restricted a human government is, history – especially the last 246 years both in North America and the rest of the world – shows that it becomes tyrannical and evil.
  3. This is, as we celebrate Independence Day, “a season for treason.” That is what that document really was – it only was deemed NOT to be treason when it succeeded finally about seven years later.
  4. The most important acts of humans can, often sadly, be overturned by other humans – sometimes within hours, but generally within a few years at best.
  5. The price of liberty is indeed eternal vigilance.
  6. The price of liberty inevitably includes shedding of blood – often the lives, fortunes, and sacred honor of lovers of liberty.

Think on these things. And also on these:

  1. As we near Independence Day #246, we see as many as 40,000 people who (misguided though they may be) swore to uphold a Constitution they believe protected our liberty and independence who are being dismissed from government military service because they are asserting their personal independence.
  2. The slavery which so marred that declaration and society 246 years ago CONTINUES to be with us today. But today, it is a slavery not just of people of a particular “race” or origin, but virtually ALL Americans, subject to the emotions and callous acts of politicians and their controllers and supporters.
  3. The slave who does not work to free herself is not truly free – although freedom IS a gift of G-d, it requires that we ACCEPT that gift and USE it.
  4. People who are freed (from slavery or something less than total slavery) even by their parents are all too likely to NOT truly be free, but simply to enslave themselves to someone or something else.
  5. It does not take a generation to lose liberty, independence, and freedom – it sometimes can take mere minutes.
  6. We see, as much as ever, that people often ALSO enslave themselves TO themselves and their passions and ignorance and inability to discipline themselves and accept responsibility for themselves and their actions. Hence we have such evils as gun control, destruction of free speech and the truth, a permanent occupation of these States, and even such things as medical tyranny and mandates, abortions, and euthanasia.

Again, think on these things.

And thank you for reading The Price of Liberty.

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Texas – goodbye?

Posted on 2022-06-29 by TPOL Nathan

It looks like ALL sides are ticked with Texas. Time for a reminder, courtesy of TxDOT (Department of Transportation): Drive Friendly, and Don’t Mess With Texas. Especially if you are living in Texas.

What’s it all about? While it is mostly the Texas GOP that is causing the furor, there are many other political (and non-political) groups that support at least SOME of what the TxGOP is pushing in 2022.

First, Texans repeat the obvious: Uncle Joe stole the election. Admittedly The Donald HELPED by doing a lot of stupid things, but the current squatter at 1600 PA was put into office by a lot of nasty, illegal, and immoral actions. STRIKE ONE!

Second, the TxGOP calls for the Texas Legislature to put secession from the Union on the 2023 election ballot. (GOOD FOR THEM!) STRIKE TWO!

Third, the TxGOP has clearly taken a hardline on supporting and enforcing the Bill of Rights: both the 1791 US version and Texas’ own. STRIKE THREE.

As far as DC, the Woke, enemies of liberty in general, and Tranzis are concerned, it is indeed THREE STRIKES AND YOU’RRRRE OOOUT!

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“More guns, less freedom”? – reviewing an opinion piece

Posted on 2022-06-28 by TPOL Nathan

At risk of alienating more Libertarians and even some libertarians – to say nothing of the enemies of liberty: reader, beware!

An opinion piece in a niche publication, GQ picked up by MSNBC, condemns several recent Nazgul (US Supreme Court) decisions. The philosopher-kings/tyrants-in-black, the author says, wants to “take America back to the 18th Century.”

While the piece is typical of the Woke regressives’ reaction in the past five or six days, it illustrates perfectly the irrationality and agenda of those enemies of liberty. (Here is where I start stepping on toes!) Actually, they are enemies of life AND liberty.

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Night of rage – Canadian-style?

Posted on 2022-06-27 by TPOL Nathan

After Friday’s proclamation by the Nazgul (Supreme Court)’s overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision after very nearly 50 years, all the pro-abortion activists again stated their intent to push for a “night of rage” and condemning the Nazgul, indeed calling for their overthrow and all sorts of other things.

Based on the massive uprising by pro-abortion and other woke groups this weekend? There will be almost nothing done: it is all talk. Impeach the Nazgul? Pack the court? End the filibuster? Establish an “underground railroad” for “pregnant people” to “flee” to States to get rid of the “pregnancy tissue” as they call it? Vote the evil monsters (Republicans – not that we here at TPOL have a problem calling GOP politicians monsters) out of office in November?

Just don’t think any of this is going to happen. With apologies to Canadians – or at least lovers of liberty there – we all know that Canadian protests are generally inconclusive and “moderate” – and ineffective.

One cartoonist’s view (unattributed) of Canadian protests, and now most pro-abortion “Night of Rage” events.

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Are we done killing infants?

Posted on 2022-06-24 by TPOL Nathan

Six months and two days short of a half-century, and according to one count, 63,459, 781 dead babies later, the nine nazguli (the Supreme Court), aka “the American Philosopher-Kings” has (six-three) decide to overturn Roe v Wade.

FYI, Roe v. Wade was a landmark legal decision issued on January 22, 1973, in which the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Texas statute banning abortion, effectively legalizing the procedure across the Fifty States.

Since then, and of course before that, tens of thousands of people have devoted major efforts to overturning and limiting that decision and the actions since them. Supported by the prayers, money, and encouragement of millions of people. Of course, tens of thousands of people also worked feverishly, supported by the money and encouragement of millions, to keep and expand the “right to abort your unborn child” in that same fifty years.

And millions and millions of “I-don’t-want-to-be-a-mother [again/yet/ever]” HAVE killed (or had someone kill) their unborn child. (Yes, morally, the woman on whom the abortion is performed is as morally responsible for killing the child as the abortionist is – with the exception of those who were mentally incompetent or physically forced to endure the procedure.)

Abortions come only ONE to a child, but the female human who has the child aborted can do it over and over again with more children. In fact, back in 2020, a 38-year-old woman in Chicago “celebrated: her 100th abortion. Assuming she reached puberty about age 13, that was 100 in 25 years: a staggering 4 per year. That killing rate is probably way, way beyond anything any gangbanger on the streets of the Windy City ever achieved, and certainly not for an entire career. Indeed, while there maybe some Air Force pilots/crews with that kind of kill record, it is unlikely that any ground force (Army, Marine, even Special Forces) careerist has that record.

Even if the average number of abortions is just two/woman, there are over 30 million American women (or visitors/border-jumpers/etc.) who supported abortion by having one: a staggering 10% or so of Americans.

The supporters of abortion-on-demand (or some variant of that) may be as high as 60-80 million Americans, just as a quick ballpark estimate. It is harder to estimate, and I shan’t try, the number of Americans who oppose it. But this number, out of 330 million Americans, is at least an argument that “democracy” would not necessarily support abortion.

I understand about 30 States will outlaw abortion at some point in a pregnancy. At the same time, most of at least 20 States already have or will take action to protect or expand the “right” to kill an unborn child in the womb (or immediately or partially OUTSIDE the womb). An example is Colorado, currently a blue State,” where the homosexual government is strongly in favor of “women’s rights” even if he does not love them.

So that means the answer to the question is NO. Americans will NOT see the killing of infants in the womb because of this. This holocaust WILL continue, just in fewer places and maybe with lower numbers. Continuing to demonstrate that these States are NOT governments who uphold the ONLY excuse they might have for human government: protecting life and liberty.

Some post-script comments: Like Mama Liberty, the founder of TPOL, the present staff of TPOL has constantly deemed (based on scientific (biological) and religious understanding) that human life begins at conception, and that aborting a child is homicide. That while there are sound reasons for not criminalizing such actions (such as illegitimacy of human government), government should not ever be permitted to promote and fund abortion.

We also point out (and always have) that the abortionists – whether that is their primary profession or a one-time act – are not just killers – and indeed premeditated killers and abusers of children. And those who are “professional” are just as much mass-killers as any madman with a gun killing students in a school or people in a mall – or dropping bombs on civilian populations.

We should not compare the States to other nations, but this clearly draws a line between those at least trying to protect life and liberty and property and those who seek power and the rest of the agenda of enemies of liberty.

We await your comments.

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Crossroads or fork in the road – dead ends ahead?

Posted on 2022-06-23 by TPOL Nathan

The constant meme, mainstream or alternative media, seems to be that 2022 is all about major changes – both those which happened in the first half of the year (almost over) or will supposedly happen.

Now, astute (and the few “woke”) readers will condemn TPOL for using “dead end” in the title. (Have you noticed the “dead end” signs are being replaced by “no outlet” because “dead end” is politically incorrect and encourages suicide?)

But all the choices the States have this year seem to lead, if not to death, certainly a whole lot of destruction. Inflation? Supply chains? War in Ukraine? War on Taiwan? Pro-abortion riots and assassinations? Anti-abortion killings and mob violence? And on and on.

Right now, let us talk about economics – inflation and other fun stuff. Including (whisper it so the government bugs have a harder time hearing it) recession.

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