Ewart: Why Should We Obey the Law – When the Law Makers Are Law Breakers?
“I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands as clean, as they are empty.” – Thomas Jefferson
What has happened to America and our beloved Constitutional Republic? What catalyst or disease transformed politicians into men and women who have become devoid of honor? No, not all of them, but way too many. Why have the principles of freedom and liberty become passé, out-of-date, or just plain irrelevant? How is it we have morphed into the false loyalty of ”my party, right or wrong, my party.” That’s Nazi stuff, not American. What on earth possessed us to “spit” on the foundation of our liberties, in favor of what …… Security? Comfort? Enslavement? Have we lost our collective minds?
Why do so many Americans think it is perfectly OK to cheat on auto, fire or medical claims to insurance companies, or file in-accurate or falsified income tax returns? And we wonder why insurance premiums are so high! Why do we lie on employment or loan applications? Why do we engage in the consumption of illegal drugs that get people killed on both sides of our southern border? It is Americans consuming illegal drugs that drive the violent drug wars and the killings in Mexico and America.
The reason for all these things is that we have lost the virtue of honor. A large segment of our American population have lost it by succumbing to the siren call of a “free” lunch from government, when we all know, the “lunch” isn’t free. The politicians have lost honor because, in a representative government, politicians are a reflection of the people who vote them into office.
“When your vision is clouded by an irrational obsession, the first thing to leave your soul, is honor.“ - Ron Ewart
If we do not value honor, integrity and honesty in ourselves, we will not value those very same qualities in our leaders. In today’s world, those men and women without honor, integrity and honesty continue to be elected to public office. Therefore, by our own choice, we allow dishonor and dishonesty to perpetuate itself and frankly, we deserve what we get.
Many ask, why should we obey the law, when the law makers themselves, are law breakers? Why should we pay our taxes, or why shouldn’t we cheat on our income tax returns, when the law makers waste our money with reckless abandon? But where does all this lead when we are a country based on the rule of law? If the law makers don’t obey the law and the citizens don’t obey the law, we are headed for an Absolute Democrat Monarchy at best, or going off the steep precipice of chaos and anarchy into Hell, at worst.
There was a line in an old western song that seemed appropriate to our dilemma. In the song the singer asks, “why do you surround yourself with people who demand so little of you?“ In that regard, why do we put up with leaders who turn their heads away from honor, integrity, honesty, principle and the rule of law?
Should we stay on this course, we are headed for a civil unrest, the likes of which this country has never seen. Greater than the American Revolution, greater than even the Civil War and greater than both World Wars, or the smaller wars that occurred thereafter. When the rule of law breaks down, when the banks collapse, when food, water and energy become scarce or intermittent, irrational rage takes its place, because a hungry belly has nothing to lose by going to war and will throw all caution to the winds. Anarchy reigns.
“Self-government will not work, without self-discipline.” – Paul Harvey
This weekend in Washington DC, the seeds of civil unrest are being planted on the grounds of the national capitol. Although the main focus will be on stopping Obama care, other groups will be hijacking the event and will be looking to incite violence. Anti-war, pro-amnesty and union groups will be coming together with freedom groups and the potential for outbreaks of violence is high. Whether Obama care passes or not, these clashes will become more common as our leaders, who have forsaken honor and the Supreme Law of the Land, continue their head long rush into the dead-end tunnel of socialism. Un contolled violence could very easily be one of the results of that head long rush, if we let it.
But violence is the last thing that rationale men and women need in their attempts to take back America. The mechanisms to restore our Constitutional Republic are contained in the very document that codified its liberty into the laws of man, our Constitution. We need to focus all of our energies on a peaceful resolution to the evil that has over taken us, while we were sleeping. It is already beginning. The states and the people are exercising their right as the “Consent of the Governed”, albeit a little tardy.
This author beseeches all men and women of good will to take the high road in our efforts to regain our freedoms and abstain from violence. We are one of the members of Unite in Action advisory board who are planning the second great 9-12 March on Washington DC this coming September. The Board of “Unite in Action” has issued the following press release and we encourage everyone who values honor, integrity, honesty and the rule of law, to heed their warning.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Unite In Action supports peaceful & lawful demonstrations at the U.S. Capitol.
Unite In Action, Inc, (UIA); sponsor of the 9/11 2010 March On DC, supports the peaceful and lawful demonstration at the U.S. Capitol, scheduled for March 20, 2010. UIA does not and will not advocate any form of lawlessness or social disobedience. It has come to our attention that some groups are planning to block entrances and exits to the US Capitol, beginning March 20, 2010. UIA does not and will not support these or any actions that break the law. We encourage all attendees to fully comply with the lawful orders of the DC Police. We encourage all participants to make their voices heard lawfully and respectfully.
Stephani Scruggs, President
Unite In Action, Inc.
www.MarchOnDC.org
So yes! Americans must obey the rule of law just as sure as they value honor, integrity and honesty, but we must also detour the law makers from becoming law breakers, or remove the law breakers from office at the next election. We have only eight more months to go to show the first set of law breakers the door.
© Copyright March 20, 2010 - All Rights Reserved
~ The Author ~
Ron Ewart is the President of The National Association of Rural Landowners and nationally recognized author on freedom and property rights issues. Ron may reached for comment via email at r.ewart@comcast.net.
In addition, Ron can usually be heard each Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. (ET) on Perspectives on America on The Micro Effect broadcasting network, as either Jeffrey Bennett’s guest or Guest Host. Tune in – you’ll be glad you did.
Perspectives on America can be heard from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday on The Micro Effect.
I think these court cases from http://www.worldtrans.org/sov/frogfarmfaq.txt should help you understand that you still have some options with the courts and its precedence. They have made some good ruling that can be used in the courts today to get rid of unconstitutional actions. Read these rulings and see if you don’t think they can help the fight to protect our rights. After all, violence is the last resort, right?
INALIENABLE RIGHTS AND STATES’ RIGHTS
“There can be no sanction or penalty imposed upon one because of his
exercise of Constitutional rights.” Sherar v. Cullen 481 F. 946
“Where rights secured by the Constitution are involved, there can be no
rule-making or legislation which would abrogate them.” U.S. Supreme
Court in Miranda v. Arizona 380 U.S. 436 (1966)
“Constitutional rights may not be infringed simply because the majority
of the people choose that they be.” Westbrook v. Mihaly 2 C3d 756
“The right to counsel exists not only at the trial thereof, but also at
every stage of a criminal proceeding where substantial rights of a
criminal accused may be effected.” Mempha v. Rhay 389 U.S. 128
“A conviction obtained where the accused was denied counsel is treated
as void for all purposes.” Burgett v. Texas 389 U.S. 109
“For a government official to mouth in a ritualistic way part of the warning
about the right to counsel, while excluding the person relied upon as counsel
is, in effect, to reverse the meaning of the words used…When a federal
officer’s interference with the right of free association takes the form of
limiting the ability of a criminal suspect to consult with and be accompanied
by a person upon whom he relies for advice and protection, he gravely
transgresses…” US v Tarlowski, 69 -2 U.S.T.C. & D.C. EA. Dist. N.Y., 305 F.
Supp 112 (1969).
“If there is any truth to the old proverb that ‘One who is his own lawyer has
a fool for a client,’ the Court, by its opinion today, now bestows a
constitutional right on one to make a fool of himself.” Faretta v California,
422 US 806 (1975).
“Lack of counsel of choice can be conceivably even worse than no counsel at
all, or having to accept counsel beholden to one’s adversary.” Burgett v
Texas, 389 US 109.
“Upon the trial of criminal cases, counsel, in their argument, may read law to
the jury in the hearing of the court, subject to the correction of the court
in its charge.” McMath v State, 55 Ga. 303.
“In a criminal case, counsel may, in summing up, argue the law of the case to
the jury.” Lynch v State, 9 Ind. 541; Commonwealth v Porter (?), Hannah v
State, 79 Tenn. 201.
“Counsel will not be permitted to argue before a jury questions of law not
involved in the instruction asked and submitted to the court.” US v Watkind,
Fed. Case. No. 16,649 (3 Cranch, C.C. 441). [So always submit instructions to
the jury!]
“A plaintiff who seeks damages for violation of constitutional or
statutory rights may overcome the defendant official’s qualified
immunity only by showing that those rights were clearly established at
the time of the conduct at issue.” Davis v. Scherer, 82 L.Ed.2d 139,151.
“All laws which are repugnant to the Constitution are null and void.”
Marbury v. Madison, 5 US (2 Cranch) 137, 174, 176, (1803)
“The Bill of Rights was provided as a barrier, to protect the individual
against arbitrary exactions of majorities, executives, legislatures,
courts, sheriffs, and prosecutors, and it is the primary distinction
between democratic and totalitarian processes.” STANDLER. Supreme
Court of Florida en Banc, 36 So 2d 443, 445 (1948)
“Government may not prohibit or control the conduct of a person for
reasons that infringe upon constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.” Smith
v. U.S. 502 F2d 512 CA Tex (1974)
“Where rights secured by the constitution are involved, there can be no
rule-making or legislation which would abrogate them.” Miranda v.
Arizona (U.S. Supreme Court) 380 US 436 (1966)
“There can be no sanction or penalty imposed upon one because of his
exercise of Constitutional rights.” Sherar v. Cullen 481 F2d 946 (1973)
“We find it intolerable that one constitutional right should have to be
surrendered in order to assert another.” Simmons v. US, 390 US 389
(1968)
“The claim and exercise of a Constitutional right cannot be converted to
a crime.” Miller v. US, 230 F 486 at 489
“When any court violates the clean and unambiguous language of the
constitution, a fraud is perpetrated and no one is bound to obey it.”
State v. Sutton 63 Minn 167, 65 NW 262, 30 LRA 630
“The state cannot diminish rights of the people.” Hurtado v. California
110 US 516.
“A state may not impose a charge for the enjoyment of a right granted
by the Federal Constitution.” Murdock v. Pennsylvania, 319 U.S. 105 (1943)
“Justice Douglas maintained that the privileges and immunities clause
was the proper basis for the holding and further insisted that freedom
of movement was a right of national citizenship binding upon the states
and recognized as such by Crandall v. Nevada (73 US 35) before the 14th
Amendment was ratified.” in Edwards v. California 314 US 160
“Moreover, a distinction must be observed between a regulation of an
activity which may be engaged in as a matter of right and one carried on
by government sufference or permission. In the latter case the power to
exclude altogether generally includes the lesser power to condition and
may justify a degree of regulation not admissable in the former.”
Packard v. Banton 264 US 140
“Failure to obey the command of a police officer constitutes a
traditional form of breach of the peace. Obviously, however, one cannot
be punished for failing to obey the command of an officer if the command
itself is violative of the constitution.” Wright v. Georgia 373 US 284
“Constitutional rights may not be infringed simply because the majority
of the people choose that they be.” Westbrook v. Mihaly 2 C3d 756
“Constitutions are not primarily designed to protect majorities, who are
usually able to protect themselves, but rather to preserve and protect the
rights of individuals and minorities against arbitrary actions of those in
authority.” Houston County v. Martin, 232 A 1 511.
“…fundamental rights do not hang by the tenuous thread of a layman’s
knowledge of the niceties of the law. It is sufficient if it appears that he
is attempting to assert his constitutional privilege. The plea, rather than
the form in which it is asserted, determines whether the privilege against
self-incrimination is to be upheld.” US v St. Pierre, 128 F 2d at 980.
“…good faith is not enough to constitute probable cause. That faith must be
grounded on facts within knowledge of the…agent, which in the judgment of
the court would make his faith reasonable.” Director General v Kastenbaum, 263
U.S. 25.
“Constitutional rights may not be denied simply because of hostility to their
assertion and exercise. Vindication of conceded constitutional rights cannot
be made dependent upon any theory that it is less expensive to deny them than to afford them.” Watson v Memphis, 375 U.S. 526.
Ron , most excellent essay.
After years of pondering the same topic, and wondering “why” and “how” our “elected leaders” do what they do,.. I coined the following:
‘the only thing you can take to your grave, is your self respect’
Without that, you are -nothing- in my eyes….
Here’s a piece I just posted on the 912forums site tonite:
——————————-
“you know what I think? ”
Here’s what I think:
“The people get the government that they deserve” -Thomas Jefferson
The way I see it, that one little piece, this one tiny thought, from a long ago moment, from a truly great man, defines Americans to this very day…Perhaps better than ever.
And in case you forgot just how great this man really was,.. here, gathered for your thoughtful consideration, are the following quotes;
————-
[W]hen all government. . . shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.
————-
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .
————-
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
—————
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
————–
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
—————
that most bad government results from too much government.
————-
No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
————–
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
————–
…the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
————–
To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
————–
and Jefferson said in 1802:
‘I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property – until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.’
——————————
I know and cherish every one of these Jefferson quotes and have been sending them out to folks for years..
.
- but did it do any good ?
Did anyone ( that are still alive…) really THINK about what they meant ?
and again, -the one that DEFINES where the American Sheeple are right now:
“The people get the government that they deserve”
-personally I think this explains it ALL -like ‘why were there thousands upon thousands of busloads of ILLEGAL ‘immigrants’ “protesting” for their “rights” the other day in Washington? ” ( like, what ‘rights’ do lawbreakers and interlopers have anyway ???)
And “where” that day, were the mass numbers of AMERICAN Counter-Protesters FIGHTING for OUR “rights”? -and ‘why’ a few days before, were there were only a handful of AMERICANS protesting the totally intrusive Government MANDATORY’ ( where did our “freedom” GO ?) RAILROADED Health Care Reform’ Legislation…?
I’m sorry, but IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, the American Sheeple (collectively ) are in a freaking COMA…
— and so Jefferson’s “prediction” has come true…
May I suggest, that ‘if’ you & yours are to survive the next few years, you best have a lot of food,water and ammunition on hand because I predict not ‘if’ but WHEN the SHTF in the next year and a half (-if that long) you will NEED everything you have, and every bit of wit and intelligence you can muster to protect what you and yours.
My only wish is when it does come, that it begins a giant cleansing,..
-and brings the eventual and SUCCESSFUL 2nd American Revolution.
“Tar and Feathers and Torches and Pitchforks.
It’s time to admit the truth: the war in Iraq is due to oil and government contracts to private companies, not knocking down the Towers and killing so many Americans. The White House knew these terrorists were in the country and did NOTHING! They waste time and money chasing after Mexican illigals who do us no phyiscal harm, and are doing jobs most American lazy pelple will not lower themselves to do! QUIT LYING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ABOUT why we are in Iraq! We have oil resources here in American we could appropriate but for the goody two shoes who are on the side of minows, the gnats, the rats and the worms on the earth and care nothing about the people. Save the Whales, sacrifice the people! This country is being led by IDIOTS who are only interested in lining their pockets. WANT TO BE RICH? BECOME A CONGRESSMAN!
Maybe if we all hold a candlelight vigil-fatwa in crimson commie outfits and sing, “Coon BI frickin’ yaw – muh Lard” it will all go away and we can go back to work at Mc Donald’s. As far as I’m concerned; “Democrats and Republicans! You sold me queer giraffes. I want my money back.”
There are two sets of laws -
1. There is the higher moral law … the law which is written in each of our hearts
and
2. There are the laws of men who think they know better than that which created us and go about making their own laws.
When man’s laws are in conflict with our innate moral law it is our right and our duty to disregard them for we were meant to live by the first law the moral law and anything else is counterfit and will eventually lead to destruction and death.
I had a discussion on the phone this morning with someone regarding this subject. This person suggested I get a concealed weapons permit, as things were going to get ugly soon and it would be prudent to be armed.
I said I don’t need a permit, the second amendment is my permit.
This person said, but yeah if you get caught you could go to jail.
I said so if some punks who don’t care about the law attack me, and I use a gun to defend myself, (as is my right), then I can be fined, jailed, or killed if I resist.
Screwed up world we line in, isn’t it?