Are You Really Free?

As Americans we like to think of ourselves as living in the "land of the free".  If they meant free to do as you please without government interference, I'm having a hard time grasping that.  Maybe they meant free hand outs from the government!  We're told how lucky we are to be "free". 

Many people are still operating under the illusion that their vote counts, but the truth is that lobbyists and corporations run this country.  Do you really think your representative listens to you or to the money?  There are a few exceptions, but very few.  The author, David Ike, said something like this, "The best form of a dictatorship is one where the people think they are free....the people don't resist."  Like democracy for example.

We have a Constitution and a Bill of Rights that are intented to protect the people from the tyrrany of government.  We see the Constitution ignorned on a daily basis.  It's only used when it can be used against us to benefit the government.  For the sake of brevity, I'll only talk about the Bill of Rights.  I'll go through it amendment by amendment and comment.

Amendment I:  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. 

COMMENT:  I think the only thing followed here is the prohibition on the establishment of a state religion.  It's pretty obvious to most Americans that the press gives out the party line.  Look at the media's help in bringing President Obama to power.  If a non-for-profit organization (with the exception of ACORN) backs a political candidate it does so at the risk of losing it's non-for-profit status, but not so with the media.  The media is allowed to take sides in politics and that's a scary idea to me.  Okay, the people have the right to assemble peacefully, and the media along with the leftist groups have the "right" to make them look unpatrotric and radical when all the people are doing is protesting government spending or war.
 
Amendment II:  A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.  
 
COMMENT:  This one is pretty clear to me.  I think we are all aware of the ongoing battle to disarm the American people.  I remember Hurricane Katrina or the 1992 Los Angeles riots.  Those without self-defense had to rely upon the government or local police for protect.  But in the case of riots and total anarchy there's never enough police to go around.  Those without self-defense are simply relieved of their property and the women are vunerable to rape.  Now the following might be a wild point for me to make, but I'll do it.  The government doesn't want to stop crime on the streets and to stop the trade of drugs.  Crime and drugs are great problems.  You might have heard me talk of Problem, Reaction and Solution.  With these two major problems the government looks for a reaction then imposes their solution which almost always means less freedom for the everyday american and more government control.

Amendment III:  No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. 

COMMENT:  I think we finally have found something the governement is following!  I wonder how long this will last.

Amendment IV:  The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 

COMMENT:  Come on now.  Who are you kidding?  At anytime when a policeman wants to search you or your property the judge simply rubber stamps it, probably without a question asked.  You're lucky to get a knock on your door before it's kicked in and you're overrun by a bunch of steroid cops with guns blazing.  My advice is not to blink because these guys are cowboy itching to pull the trigger finger.  And the great thing about it all is they usually investigate themselves and surprise to us all they come out "smelling like roses."

Amendment V:  No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Amendment VI:  In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.
COMMENT:  Our justice system is the laughing stock of the world.  The irony is obvious.  It's okay as a white collar criminal to rob billions from people.  When they are finally caught, strangely they are treated in a different manner than the common criminal on the street.  But let a kid steal a pack of bubble gum from the local 7 Eleven.  He'll be locked up for good.  We also tend to take it easy on politicians, sports figures and celebrities.  They commit murder and most get away with it.  Also, for the right amount of money you can buy your freedom by purchasing the best lawyer.  Look at how many people are in prison for non-violent crimes like smoking a joint.  Then they come out as violent, and hardend criminals who are usually stuck on the criminal path for life because they can't get hired once they get out.  Lastly, our prision system is full of innocent people who were falsly accused usually by a rush to judgement by the police and the courts.  Let's send him or her away and solve this one!  I could talk about my experiences with the police.  In fact, one case where I was mistaken for a criminal.  And not to my surprise, I didn't even get an apology.  And they wonder why most everyday people are suspicious of the cops.  At least criminals have honor!  I don't want to sound anti-police.  I honor the good cops, but one bad cop is worse than ten criminals.

Amendment VII:  In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

COMMENT:  Sure we have a right to a jury, but the judge often interfers by influencing and sometimes ordering the jury on what to do.

Amendment VIII:  Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.  COMMENT:  Tell this to my friend's father who was hung by a rope in his jail cell in Louisiana.

Amendment IX:  The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Amendment X:  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.
COMMENT:  Government and government control have grown so much that they have taken over power reserved to the states.  Most state governors quickly become aware of this government control.  For example, if there state doen't follow certain Federal guidelines or laws then the government simply withdraws funding to the state.

Watch the following video (Part 1 of 14) and decide for yourself.  I highly recommend to watch Parts 2-14 also.




I highly recommend the following book:



I'm interested in hearing what you have to say. I'm sure there are better points to be made. You don't have to agree.  

Think about it. Are you really free?
cheers

Paul