I have, for a while now, asked myself if Americans really do cherish freedom any longer? I'm sure that there are those who do, but I doubt that most Americans truly understand what freedom is. Especially the freedom that was envisioned and conceived by our Founding Fathers. Freedom is much more than owning a home, taking our yearly vacation, shopping where we choose, driving our own car, or all the other things we as Americans typically do.
The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights outline the freedoms on which our country was formed and built. The first and most sublime principle we are presented with is that freedom is a gift of God. God, the giver of life, is also He that gives liberty.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness . . ."
It is clearly stated by the founders of our nation that they believed, and formed America, on the the principle that God is the grantor of liberty. Not man. The Founding Fathers understood that the purpose of the government was "to secure these rights". That the government was to secure and protect the liberties and freedom that have been given to "man" by his creator. They never believed that it was the government that could grant freedom in any form.
If we were to stop and ask any "average" man or woman in our country today, "Where do you believe our rights come from?", what would they say? I believe that they and most all of our political leaders today would answer, "The government of course". Freedom, as they view it, is whatever the government tells them it is. Period. That's all these people know and understand. Let's just let the "government" tell us what are freedoms are, and that's what we will accept. Unfortunately, in America today, it seems that most Americans are quickly joining this group of people. We are living in the 21st Century, and as the descendants of those wise and brave people who carved out and crafted our nation, have no idea of what true freedom is and God help us, are lacking the courage to defend it.
Do we truly understand and know the meaning of "freedom"? Do you? You and I will spend the better part of our lives working and paying for our "homes". The great American dream, to own our own home and property. We are required to pay property tax during those years, and even after we have paid for our property, for the rest of our lives...we will continue to pay the property tax. If we fail to pay the tax, then they will come, confiscate our property and throw us out. In truth, none of us really own any property. The state can even tell us what we can and can't do with the property we supposedly own, we can't even manage and control our own land, land we have bought and paid for. As Americans, we tolerate these actions and still call ourselves "free". Do we really know what "freedom" means?
Think about it, just for a moment. Consider all the things we do, or even say, that is monitored by the State or the Government. If you own your own business, I'm sure you are very familiar with the many regulations, permits, taxes...that are required by the state and federal government for you to conduct business. Consider these other few examples:
Drive a car
Marriage
Purchase a gun
Purchase land
Build an addition on your home
Home school your children
How many agencies, how many pieces of paper...with us asking "please", do we have to go through before we can do any of these. Are we truly free? Are we? When will we as Americans stand up and say enough government is enough. When will we begin to vote out the politicians that only add to more government control of our lives, and keep voting until we elect those that know what "freedom" is truly about. I am sure that those on welfare, and those receiving any of a multitude of government handouts, will seldom complain...why should they. They are personally benefiting more, the more the government grows. Why would these people want to change anything at all. It is a free ride for them, and "freedom" is sacrificed for a "free meal".
Do we as Americans, today, truly and deeply cherish "freedom". Then I ask you, what are we going to do, to restore that freedom to our country? It is the lazy, and those unconcerned, that will lie in chains. I refuse to lie down, to give in, and to cease the struggle. America must awaken and arise to the challenge, for I believe God still will bless a nation, a people, who truly seek liberty and who will fight until they possess it. We may have to "pledge our lives, fortunes, and sacred honor" in order to obtain it; but as our forebears believed and were willing to fight-- so am I.
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