A case for self-government by Darryl W. Perry
(libertarian)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Friday evening, July 4, I was celebrating the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. (Independence Day is actually July 2) After about an hour of shooting some fireworks, which I purchased legally, a Security Officer from my apartment complex drove up, turned on his bright lights and asked, "are you gonna shoot those?" referring to the pack of bottle rockets that I just placed into the container I was shooting from. I walked over, and asked if I was doing anything wrong. He responded, "The City of Homewood has an ordinance against shooting fireworks, plus these buildings are old and might catch fire". He added, "you can go across the street into Birmingham and shoot the rest until their Police come out and stop you." I decided that I had been harrassed enough and packed my things and went into my apartment.
As I was walking into m apartment, I began to think; "Didn't we fight a war, so that I could do whatever the hell I wanted to do, as long as I don't violate anyone's rights?"
The Declaration of Independence says that, "we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among those are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness". Now, ask yourself, which of those rights did I violate? Did I take someone's Life? No. Did I take someone's Liberty? No. Did I stop anyone's Pursuit of happiness? Aside from those that enjoy telling me what not to do, the answer again is , NO. However, MY Pursuit of Happiness was violated, shooting fireworks made me happy, if only temporarily. I didn't catch anything on fire, and if I would have, I should be held responsible. Somehow, We The People, who are supposed to be governed by the rule of law, have allowed ourselves to let the government pass laws that "make us safe" or "keep us safe". I am reminded of the words of Benjamin Franklin, "those that would give up liberty for safety, deserve neither." What happened to the "Land of the Free and the home of the Brave?" We are now, the Land of the overgovrned and the Home of those who only try if we know we will not fail.
The more we allow ourselves to be overgoverned, the less our chances of ever being free again. We have an obligation to ourselves and our children to protect liberty and freedom. Back to our inalienable right, "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness". What does that mean to you? Let me tell you what it means to me. It means that you, and I, have the right to do anything that you want, as long as you do not violate anyone elses rights. That means if you want to smoke a joint, you should have the right to do so; however, you do NOT have the right to steal my possessions. Some people may claim that this thinking would lead to "anarchy", but I will disagree, it will lead to self-government. I do not need someone to legislate my life, I am perfectly capable of legislating myself, as are you. The closest we can get to no government is self-government, and in my opinion, self-government is the best government possible.
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