The American Freedom Network

A Continental Divide

February 21, 2009 – 10:45 am

Those of our network based in Colorado are fortunate to enjoy the beauty of the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains.  It also provides and apt analogy to social and political circumstances in the U.S. today.

Many people come to Colorado to enjoy the beautiful scenic vistas, wonderful weather and relative prosperity.  This has led to a *blueing* of this fine State.

The divide is clearly illustrated.  There are those, like our network members, who understand and value individual liberty and what constitute our inherent and unalienable rights.  Rights are free and cost nothing but an individual’s self-discipline and intellectual honesty.  Foremost amongst these are life and property.  Millions have died to assure these rights in the course of American history.

Unfortunately, on the other side of this continental political and cultural divide there are those who believe rights are whatever they wish them to be.  Things such as supposed *rights* to health care, housing, education.  These aren’t rights in and of themselves.  Opportunity to ACQUIRE these things by one’s own efforts could be classified rights.  Actually receipt of these things cost money (an aspect of property) however.  Therefore for you to receive some good or service for free by the payment of the others’ property are not rights.  Also significant are behavioral mandates of others that impact your property such as a *right* to a smoke free environment.  In public (state owned, controlled) property we suppose and argument could be made but in any case of private property restrictions are an unconstitutional “taking” of property.

2 examples.

1. A proposed law in Colorado to “require” carbon monoxide detectors in homes.  This is wrong because a privately owned home or a privately owned housing complex aren’t public property and the use and configuration of these is the SOLE purview of the owner.

2. Cigarette smoking laws.  This is simple.  Justification for these laws (and the one above) is “public safety” or “public health” which sounds so fuzzy and nice.  However these laws both abrogate the free use of one’s own property and impact the freedom of individuals to use or not use (or take a job at or not) private businesses.  You see, if a person wishes to have a smoke free environment they are free to only patronize such businesses.  If they choose to work in a smoke free environment they are free to only seek employment at such businesses.  If there is a market for such, many such businesses would/will open to cater to those individuals wishing such.

The concern for American Freedom is that many Americans (and immigrants) believe that “collective” wants trump individual liberty.  This directly contravenes the plain statement and intent of our founders intended to ensure individual liberty.

The continetal divide of today (cultural and political) is that of individual American Freedom versus collectivist notions.  Those who want YOU to PAY for what they want or need rather than accepting the personal responsibility for their lives, choices and property.

A simple rule to understand what “rights” are.  Rights never cost another person their property (money).  If you or I have to pay for what are called “rights”  for others it is tyranny.  Charity and service cease being so if coerced by government.  Remember, in truth, a right can only exist if it doesn’t impinge or infringe on that same right in others.