7/5/2012
Independence
By Jim Maas
The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
"God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it."
- Daniel Webster
We celebrate the Fourth of July, formerly known as "Independence Day." I say, "formerly known as" because July 4 may be a popular celebration but not so much for our "independence."
When the American colonies declared their independence and gained their freedom from one of the largest empires in the world, it was a momentous occasion. Ours was the FIRST nation on the planet in which the individual was considered more important than a government. Furthermore, the government was restricted by a written constitution, so they couldn't make the rules up as they wished.
Today, we aren't as free as we once were or as we should be. More than ever, Wisconsinites love our country but fear our government.
The wisdom of our Founding Fathers was written down. The powers of the national government were designed to be limited and the ratifying states would not have approved the Constitution without a written Bill of Rights. Article Ten says quite clearly that, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." What a gift that was! The problem is, we can't depend on politicians to observe it, even though they take an oath of office to do so.
If our state government is merely an administrative zone for Washington, what is the point?
Recently we read that the Environmental Protection Agency is after Wisconsin power plants that burn economical coal fuels. (Where is the Office of Energy of our DNR?) This will increase energy costs for Wisconsin industry and other consumers.
The Agriculture Department is issuing "guidelines" which may restrict cranberry juice drinks in our schools. Who should be issuing guidelines for our schools?
Under the Constitution, the militia (a.k.a., the National Guard) may only be called into duty by the federal government in three specific situations. Congress may call "forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions." Have you heard of any invasions of our shores lately? Did you know that Wisconsin's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Soldiers are on a NATO mission in Kosovo now rather than serving as our state homeland security force? Why? Because the Pentagon determined that it is cheaper to take our weekend warriors than to maintain its own full-time force-and Wisconsin's governor and legislators don't object to this unconstitutional power grab.
The American patriots who declared independence believed that sovereignty (authority) belonged to the people, not in a distant capitol. Where are the patriots when we need them?
The desire to live one's own life as we see fit is a basic need in humans. Wisconsin must reassert itself to restore the real America. Then the Fourth of July will again be worth celebrating as Independence Day once again.
Maas, a Rothschild Libertarian, is running in the 85th Assembly District.
Independence
By Jim Maas
The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com.
"God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it."
- Daniel Webster
We celebrate the Fourth of July, formerly known as "Independence Day." I say, "formerly known as" because July 4 may be a popular celebration but not so much for our "independence."
When the American colonies declared their independence and gained their freedom from one of the largest empires in the world, it was a momentous occasion. Ours was the FIRST nation on the planet in which the individual was considered more important than a government. Furthermore, the government was restricted by a written constitution, so they couldn't make the rules up as they wished.
Today, we aren't as free as we once were or as we should be. More than ever, Wisconsinites love our country but fear our government.
The wisdom of our Founding Fathers was written down. The powers of the national government were designed to be limited and the ratifying states would not have approved the Constitution without a written Bill of Rights. Article Ten says quite clearly that, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." What a gift that was! The problem is, we can't depend on politicians to observe it, even though they take an oath of office to do so.
If our state government is merely an administrative zone for Washington, what is the point?
Recently we read that the Environmental Protection Agency is after Wisconsin power plants that burn economical coal fuels. (Where is the Office of Energy of our DNR?) This will increase energy costs for Wisconsin industry and other consumers.
The Agriculture Department is issuing "guidelines" which may restrict cranberry juice drinks in our schools. Who should be issuing guidelines for our schools?
Under the Constitution, the militia (a.k.a., the National Guard) may only be called into duty by the federal government in three specific situations. Congress may call "forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions." Have you heard of any invasions of our shores lately? Did you know that Wisconsin's 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Soldiers are on a NATO mission in Kosovo now rather than serving as our state homeland security force? Why? Because the Pentagon determined that it is cheaper to take our weekend warriors than to maintain its own full-time force-and Wisconsin's governor and legislators don't object to this unconstitutional power grab.
The American patriots who declared independence believed that sovereignty (authority) belonged to the people, not in a distant capitol. Where are the patriots when we need them?
The desire to live one's own life as we see fit is a basic need in humans. Wisconsin must reassert itself to restore the real America. Then the Fourth of July will again be worth celebrating as Independence Day once again.
Maas, a Rothschild Libertarian, is running in the 85th Assembly District.