Note To GOP: Our Freedoms Are No Longer Negotiable

I've been focused on the Democrats, as they are by far the more significant problem right now. But Michelle Malkin's concern is justified. She asks an unusually ballsy question, even for her! heh!

And no, I’m not talking about basketballs or baseballs or golf balls. You know what I’m talking about — excuse the language, but we need to be blunt. And you know that it’s the question that will hang over the Republican Party from now until November as it tries to persuade the base — let alone the American electorate — that it can provide a real alternative to the current crop of big government corruptocrats in power in Washington.

What the GOP needs to seriously understand - and it goes for their moderates, as well - is that the base and many Americans not always a part of it, are feeling we have reached a tipping point.

We are not uncaring for the unfortunate, or otherwise disadvantaged. We simply believe that government is not and has never been the mechanism to solve most every problem that comes along. That comes from our being thinking, as well as caring people.

But with the already crushing debt, an economy not likely to improve soon that can't handle tax increases, and the exploding budgeting being advocated by today's Democrat Party, there is little, if any room for compromise without compromising the freedoms, individual and financial, to which we are entitled as Americans.

That is what the Constitution promises us. Nothing else. If it is a document meant to protect, and it is, it is intended to protect us from you, the government. It was never designed, nor originally intended to protect every citizen from every calamity in life which might befall them. That's a myth spun in liberal education mills and salons with no relevance to the Constitution at all.

That is where Michelle's question comes in. Do Republicans have the balls to stand up for the document that protects, and stands up for, us against them (read Washington, DC); or, do they only wish to be the softer advocates of the soft tyranny Washington has for too long been getting away with imposing on us?

We are the free men and women with the God given right to do and choose as we please and care for ourselves in the process. You are not free to choose to do it for us. You took an oath! You took an oath to stand up for the Constitution. It's you who is supposed to be bound by that, not us!

And if you lack the vision, the wisdom, the courage and, yes, the balls to do it now when we need it most, then go the hell home before we send you there. Because we will be doing that very thing more and more during the difficult times for America just ahead if we must.

Comments

[Proud Liberal]

oh Dan.... stop being such a drama queen. You have really been over the top of late. Such arrogance to think that your viewpoint of how our country should be governed is the only acceptable one is truly nauseating. You have a policy dispute with this administration, fine. Guess what, that debate was settled by the last election and you'll have another shot at it at the end of this year. And again in two years, and four years, and six years. That's democracy Dan. If you are so sure that Americans are on your side of the debate, win elections, change policy, run things your way. Get over it. And all this silly silly talk about your freedoms being taken away is just utter hogwash.

[Huey]

Proud liberal: If the debate was "settled" then why have any more elections?

If the debate is settled, why would the Democrats worry about getting re-elected? What do they have to worry about? They're just doing what they were elected to do, right? They're just doing what their constituents want, right? After all, like Global Warming, it's a "settled" issue, eh?

You are, indeed "proud," but, of what, I'm unsure.

[24K lady]

Dan, I'm here visiting from the sidebar link at Michelle Malkins's blog. You may catch a lot of flack for your words, but I'm relieved that someone is upfront enough to put their name on it and stand by those words. I can only say you've put to words what so many are thinking. We're worried, desparately worried. The country is broke, as in Bankrupt, yet keep flitting from one massive expenditure to another. The inmates are running the asylum and the country has lost the keys to it. Thank you and I'll be checking in again soon.

[Philip McDaniel]

STFU Limp Wristed Liberal!

[Warren Bonesteel]

Proud Liberal, along with most Republicans and Conservatives, appear to ignore the Constitution when it is inconvenient. When both parties don't ignore it, they make one excuse or another for interpreting The Constituoion as Living Document. I know, I know. The Conservatives don't phrase it that way, but that's what they mean. (Thus the argument between right vs left over welfare entitlements vs Social Security and Medicare. The Constitution makes no provision for either form of entitlement, particularly at the Federal level.)

Another argument from Republicans is about military spending. e.g. "The Constitution isn't a suicide pact." Thus, their argument, once again, is for a Living Constitution.

The only arrogance that Dan has exhibited here is to say out loud what millions of Americans have been thinking.

As for Instapundit and The Anchoress, et al, wondering if Dan is somehow an 'outlier,' they and other large conservative and libertarian blogs have spent too much time at the fat end of that 'long tail.' Like their MSM opposites, many of them have become completely insulated from what many other Americans are already saying and thinking.

Dan's words and frustration are no different than the words already on the lips of millions of Americans. His words are certainly no more, or less, passionate than those of the founders of this nation prior to The Revolutionary War.

('liberty library of constitutional classics' and Online Library of Liberty,' just for a start.

[richard mcenroe]

Proud Liberal thinks he can walk away from a fight after he gets his licks in. As the Democratic Party is figuring out, it doesn't work that way.

And yes, the Republicans will have to learn that lesson right alongside them.. This is a war against incumbency and entitlement, not against a party label.

[d.eris]

"Do Republicans have the balls to stand up for the document . . ."

lol. The Republican and Democratic Parties have been waging an undeclared war on the people of the United States and the US Constitution for some time now. If it weren't so pathetic, it would be funny to watch so many folks fall, once again, for the Democratic-Republican two-party con game that the corporatists have been running for so many years. If you are not an independent, you are co-dependent.

[PA]

"That's democracy Dan."

No its NOT "democracy". That's a representative republic. If the USA were a real "democracy" (i.e. one man one vote on all matters), ObamaCare would be stone dead since a large majority of the public doesn't want what's being offered.

I can recommend some good civics books that explain the difference between democracy and republic if you're still unclear on it.

[Warren Bonesteel]

Let's see...just how much of an 'outlier' is Dan, anyway?

Tenth Amendment/state sovereignty resolutions, Firearms Freedom Acts, Constitutional tender/Sound Money resolutions and bills... Bills which legalize "medical" marijuana... Anti-taxation groups, such as the T.E.A. Parties... All of That is just a start on what is happening in America. All of that is just a small part of an anti-federal, anti-big government 'movement' in this nation.

The 'outliers' appear to be those people who still advocate for government interference in our lives.

The 'outliers,' both conservative and liberal, are those will initiate the large scale, generalized violence in America. ...indeed, they already have... (Berkley rioting, SEIU beatings and intimidation, Muslim militants, Black Panthers and voter intimidation...)

Wait until the government has to cut or eliminate Social Security and cut military spending and Veteran's benefits... That's when the conservatives will start breaking things.

Dan's not the 'outlier,' here. He's just saying things that most liberals and a lot of conservatives don't want to hear or face. They'd rather live with their own comfortable illusions of reality than to face reality.

Just to give ya a hint: The next move on the Tytler Cycle is back to freedom. We've been living under an oligarchic tyranny for over sixty years. For over sixty years, this nation has been a constitutional republic in outward form and name only.

[smitty]

Preach it, Dan!
To the extent that the GOP can be defended, the Tea Party has to sustain momentum through '10 and '12 election cycles.
Recall that the Ross Perot momentum got neatly folded under the GOP...elephant ear...after '92.
When the GOP goes for a repeat, it needs to feel that it's making a phone call on a morning star, not a cell phone.
OK, that metaphor sucks, but the point is clear: until the Tea Party has demonstrated staying power, the GOP is going to play the waiting game, and we shouldn't be too surprised.

[rrpjr]

Get over it. And all this silly silly talk about your freedoms being taken away is just utter hogwash.
Posted by: Proud Liberal | Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 06:27 PM

I can understand why you're scared. You didn't expect to see this ferocity and resolve from conservatives. Get used to it. It's only beginning. But we have you to thank. Obama has done to the Left what conservatives weren't able or willing to do for generations: expose it. Some of us always knew what vicious little children you were, and how once in power you'd eagerly, maliciously corrupt our legilative process if it slowed or stood in the way of your Statist ambitions. But more and more are learning everyday.

Go ahead with your foul little "reconciliation" -- and reap the whirlwind. You won't know what hit you. Like children, you can't envision the consequences of your actions. But yet you sense them, and the fear is growing.

[Blago Bloggo]

Hey Proud Liberal, like rrpjr says, "get used to it." Like I sez, this isn't unusual. It isn't odd. It isn't freaky deaky. It isn't funny. American people everywhere are retrenching to the Constitution. The Constitution and the ancient laws are what we will demand from our elected and appointed representatives. We will demand they recall the OATH they fricking well swore to protect and defend the Constitution. We will demand they satisfy that Oath, instead of breaking it. Those who break their Oath will be punished.

This is not odd or unusual.

This is the New Normal.

Those who plot to destroy the Constitution and the individual freedoms it protects have been put on notice. They will not get away with their abuses and usurpations for much longer. Perhaps they should move to their offshore homes with their ill-gotten gains and never set foot on these shores again.

That is the way it is. Those who call themselves liberals while serving tyranny had better wake up soon.

[astonerii]

"We will demand they recall the OATH they fricking well swore to protect and defend the Constitution. We will demand they satisfy that Oath, instead of breaking it."

I think what should happen is that the states should start prosecuting congressmen.

The Constitution is nothing more than a big contract.
The contract is between the states in order to form a federal government.
When congressmen submit or vote for legislation that is not authorized by the contract, they should be considered acting illegally.
Problem becomes the federal courts may overrule the state courts.
There really should be consequences for passing unconstitutional laws. Particularly blatantly unconstitutional laws, such as mandatory purchases of goods or services for nothing more than being a citizen of the United States of America.

[SDN]

Hey, Proud Copperhead, if someone can find a right to abortion in the "penumbra" of the Constitution, I think I can spot a recall provision in the penumbra of the Second Amendment. Certainly the Founders saw it that way.

[Jaime]

Copperhead? Really? Is that your history term of the day from some calender you just bought?

The idea that an anti-government, pseudo secessionist, racist embracing Lincoln when it suits him is laughable. You
would be cursing Abe's name if you were alive back then. Trampling states rights???? Cramming abolition down our throats? Tyranny!!!!!!

The only thing you paranoid bigots share with Lincoln is a party title that stopped being appropriate when your ilk decided that "real" America only came in one color.

[Jaime]

Where was all this conservative outrage from 2001-2009?

TSA, unfunded prescription drug benefits, torture, rendition, warrentless wiretapping? All good, I guess until you give a black man those powers.

And Warren...How many black panther voter intimidation incedences were there? 1? Show me proof of others. Then again you people willfully believe lies like death panels and that the nuclear option is actually reconciliation and it was never ever used before ever. Especially by republicans. And most certaintly never for big bills like Cobra or trillion dollar tax cuts.

[gary gulrud]

Great post. BTW, the minders seem anxious.

[SDN]

"torture": according to the laws of war we can shoot terrorists without trial. Works

"Rendition": started under Clintoon, another Copperhead.

"TSA": insisted on by Senate Copperheadss as the price for letting the country defend itself.

"unfunded prescription drug benefits": another payoff to Copperheads, who are too dishonest to stay bought.

"Warrant-less wiretapping": when the calls were going to non-citizen terrorists, who aren't entitled to either Constitutional or Geneva Convention protections.

And I'd be fine with President Thomas Sowell or President Alan West with those powers. A Copperhead with an office bought with $35 million in illegal campaign contributions when he had his staff deliberately disable name and residence checking on credit cards on his donation site, not so much.

Plantation or collective, Copperheads have always loved slavery. Own it, Copperhead.

[Randian cliche]

Dear Tea Partiers/Libertarians/Constitutionalists,

Let's make a deal. Stop paying your taxes. All of them. Stop drawing social services. All of them. You got guns? Awesome. No need for police. Got a hose? Sweet. No need for firemen. Got gold in the basement? Turn in those worthless dollars. I promise not to bother you. Just get off the internet, which was developed with federal money by the defense department in collaboration with publicly funded universities.

When Republicans needed you, from 2001 to 2009 to support two expensive unfunded wars (neither of which was declared a war as mandated by the Constituion), take your refund checks, deregulate the financial system, scream for tax cuts, and intimidate the Democrats into compliance, you were there. If you weren't actively supporting them, you sure as hell weren't opposed.

Now there's a black guy with liberal credentials in charge. Perfect time to monkeywrench the system, right? Right. No wonder the Dems have to sell out to big labor. The other voting blocks are too busy making patriotic macrame and defending the constitution online.

You lot have yet to elect a candidate that's both fically honest and respects personal freedoms. You lot have have yet to convince the rest of America to give up Social Security and Medicare, which you quite rightly surmise we can't afford to pay for.

But hey... I like your guns! They're shiny, and totally necessary to keep the armadillos from digging under your foundations.

The end result of all these gyrations will be Romney in 2012. To get a good idea of what that will be like, reread some Charles Dickens. And remember - neither child labor nor private prisons are unconstitutional.

[astonerii]

Wow, isn't this RETARD retarded.
"Posted by: Randian cliche | Friday, March 05, 2010 at 12:00 PM"

"Dear Tea Partiers/Libertarians/Constitutionalists,

Let's make a deal. Stop paying your taxes. All of them. Stop drawing social services. All of them. You got guns? Awesome. No need for police. Got a hose? Sweet. No need for firemen. Got gold in the basement? Turn in those worthless dollars. I promise not to bother you. Just get off the internet, which was developed with federal money by the defense department in collaboration with publicly funded universities. "

Taxes are constitutional, we support taxes. All of us, we just do not agree with the level and the unconstitutional uses.
Police are a local effort, we support local efforts. All of us do.
Firefighters again, are a local effort, we support them. All of us do.
The internet was developed by the Military budget, which we all support. All of us do, as it is the single most important duty of the federal government.
Social services, we would love to get rid of most of those as well, in fact, I think every last federal one should go.
The Dollar, we would love it if the dollar were backed by hard assets. It would prevent the government from abusing the banking system.
Publicly funded universities, we would love to get rid of the federal funding of universities.

So, in one paragraph you have shown that you have no idea who the people are that you are railing against, even though you named every last one of them by a term. I sure hope Palin reads this. After reading the rest of your rant, I am left with a worse headache than before. You should have stopped with the introduction and first paragraph, as the rest just makes your look worse than a retard.

[Thomas]

For the life of me, I don't understand why these Republican hangers-on continue to wail and complain about their party and keep expecting different results. If you truly wanted to back conservatives, then you'd ditch the Grand Ol' Party and vote libertarian. In the meantime, those of us who vote with our principles have to bear the burden of your "hold your nose" party loyalty votes. Instead of asking your party members to change their spots and grow some balls, how about y'all grow some balls instead?